Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-05

James l.. Norris, a native and prOmi-
nent resident OF the National Capital. died
at q -35 o'clock this morning at the family
residence, 331 c street northwest. Death
was due to general breakdown.
Mr.. Norris had been ill for the last
three years. but his condition had not
been regarded as serious This morning
he awoke about Z O'Clock and shortly
thereafter complained of feeling i'll. A
few moments later he had a chill and
then lapsed into Inconsistencies His
son, James L. Norris. jr., and his son-in-
law and daughter, Mr.. and Mrs. Erskine
NJ. Sunderland, were at the bedside when
the end came. His other children. Mrs.
Arthur p. German, jr., of Howard county,
Md; Dr. r. r. Norris of Crisheld, Md,
and Mrs. Parker p. Phillips of Alexan-
tIria, Va, were notified of their fathers 8
demise Mr. Norris was sixty-f1ve years
of age.
The funeral probably will be held from
the c street residence Monday. A son.m-
law of the deceased Rev. Parker p. Phil
lips. rector of st. Paufs Episcopal Church
of Alexandria, will officiate. The inter-
ment will be in Oak Hill cemetery.
Born in Washington.
James L. Norris was born in Washing
ton, October 10, 1916. Except for few
years Of his youth, when completing at
Dickinson College. Carlisle. Pa. an edu-
cational training begun under Prof =.
w. Farley. at Everett Institute, in WASH
ington, Mr.. Norris has resided continu-
ously at the National Capital. The Nor
ris' family Is Of English origin, dating
back to Sir John Norris. who was knight
ed on the field OF Hastings. The Ameri-
can Norrises came over with Lord Balti-
1<s1 L. - .tNt IA
Barnett T. Norris. grandfather of James
L.. removed to LOudoun county, Va. and
married Miss Barbara Ordner of FTede-
rick county. Md. OF the sixteen children
born to them, the youngest, John Ed
mund Norris. was the father OF James L
Norris.
John Edmund Norris, who In his day
was a leading lawyer of the District,
married Eliza Tidings Phillips Of q noted
Pennsylvania family. and James l.. Nor
rfs was their fourth child.
While at college young Norris was a
member Of the Bellies Lettres Society and
Of the zeta Chapter Of the Phi Kappa
Psi Fraternity. In after years. in con-
nection with Herman Johnson of Carlisle
and William Busey of Baltimore he
founded the Alpha Chapter of that fra
ternity at Columbian College. in the Dis
trict of Columbia
Entered Patent Office.
After completing his college course,
James L. Norris read law in Carlisle,
Pa. with Judge Graham. and later in
Washington, with his own father. lie
entered the United States patent offlce.
serving on the examining corps In the
classes Of mechanical engineering and
Of electricity and philosophical instru-
n1ents. under Chief Examiners Alhin
Sohospf and William B. Taylor Having
gained full benefit of this practical ex-
perience, Mr.. Norris rendered his resig-
nation and IN 1850 engaged in the practice
fees at f and 9Th streets. Success
crowned his efforts in such generous
measure that ten years later he pur-
chased the property on the northwest
theron the large office building bearing
his name.
In 1867 Mr.. Norris was married to Miss
Annie Virginia Robinson. daughter Of
Col. Israel Robinson of Martinsburg,
Va. (now West Virginia). whose ances-
tors. owners OF large estates. were among
the early settlers OF that section.
The married life of James L. Norris
was most happy, but It was sadly ter
minated on Janury II. 1895, by the death
OF Mrs. Norris. OF the seven children
five survive.
Head Of jackson Association.
MIR. Norris father. for many years prior
to his death in 1887. had been President
Of the jackson Democratic Association OF
the District. the oldest political organiza-
ton next to Tammany In the United
States. 1t was founded in May, 1879. two
months after the first inauguration OF
President Jackson. and resulted from a
mass meeting of citizens who were in
sympathy with Jacksonian doctrines and
leadership. After the assembly had been
organized President jackson appeared In
response to a resolution OF invitation and
addressed the meeting.
Shortly after his fathers demise, James
L. Norris was elected to the presidency
of this organisation. and he had been
reelected each succeeding year.
On the election OF Mr.. Cleveland in 1884
Mr. Norris was made member of the
general inaugural committee. consisting
OF fifty citizens: and by this committee
was elected a member of the executive
committee and chairman of the fireworks
(Coutinued on Fifth Page)