Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-04-04
IN M en- ORIAM.


better life beyond on Sunday, April
1, 1894, at IL o'clock, noon, from
cirrhosis (ossifcation) of the liver.
His age was 81 years.
Mr.. Norris had been in failing health
for the past year or more, but it was
only within the past three months
that his friends became apprehensive
that he might be suffering with an
incurable disease. With an indOmit-
able will, which was one of his chief
characteristics, he kept along in the
even tenor of his way, performing his
various duties connected with The
REPUBLICAN and his other business
affairs, until about three weeks since
when he was compelled to succumb
and lay aside all cares He has been
confined most of this time to his bed,
during it receiving every possible
attention and the best medical advice,
assisted devotedly and INCREASINGLY by
his wife and family and others near
and dear to him, who did all in their
power to minister to his wants and
comfort. That it was hard for him to
go hence can well be imagined, for he
had not yet reached that period in life
when it was unreasonable for him to
look forward and expect many more
years of earthly existence. Naturally
vigorous, with decided fondness for
his calling as newspaper man, doing
successful business, with many
friends and no enemies, why should
not this be so? The three score years
and ten allotted to man had not been
his, and until a few months ago no
one in our midst had more justifable
ground for hope that he would reach
a ripe old age than the subject of this
sketch; for his constitution was strong,
his health perfect, his habits entirely
correct, his life thoroughly domestic
and pure, and though full of activity
and sometimes crowded, it was not
sufficiently burdensome to justify the
thought that he was not in every way
equal to its requirements. But he has
been gathered to his fathers, and gone
to that haven of rest beyond the skies,
leaving behind good name and the
record of a well spent life, with all
that this term implies in its broadest
sense. 1t means, as the writer of this
who knew him for forty years can
attest that he was faithful in the
discharge of every duty as he under
stood it that he was true friend :;
that he was an obliging and excellent
neighbor that he was honest and
upright in his dealings, and withal
was an affectionate husband and father
whose presence at the family fireside
will be missed more and more with
the years yet to come. Not only this,
his absence will be felt in social and
business circles, as well as those
political in which his counsel was
always sought and never begrudgingly
given; and the same is true of his
chosen church, where for MANY wears
ho
efficient in its work. Thus it is that
constant reminders will be given of
the loss occasioned by this dispensa-
tion of Providence, so sad and unwel-
come to those whose relations with
the departed have been so close and
intimate. But why indulge longer in
these reflections except to become
more strongly impressed than ever
with the truth that Gin the midst of
life we are in death.'' Our genial,
warm hearted friend has gone-gone
to ''that Home not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens, where as
consistent Christian and true believer
in our Lord and Savior he will find
everlasting peace. Though it be not
our privilege to look beyond the grave
and view through the pearly gates
the splendors of the Invisible. except
in the imagination, yet let us put our
trust in Him ''who doeth all things
well'' and feel that it is all for the best,
sustained by the consoling thought
that
There is no death; what seems SO is transi-
tiOn,
This life Of mortal breath
Is but the suburb of the land Elysian
Whose portals we call death"
Mr.. Norris was born in Dublin,
Ireland, March II, 1887, and came
here with his parents in 1847, where
he has ever since resided, except