The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-06
JAMES |. NORRIS
CALLED BY DEATH
Private Funeral VIII Take
Place Tomorrow.
PROMINENT IN TIE DISTRICT
Patent Lawyer and Democrat of Ma
tionaI Reputation Identified with
Many NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Land
for Formation of Rock Creek Park,
a Figure in Politics.

James L. Norris, prominent District
Democrat. and fatheT-in-law Of Arthur
Pue German. jr.. died at his home. SSi
c street northwest, at 7:S5 o'clock yester
day morning. after q lingering illness
The funeral, which viii be private. win
take place from the family residence to-
morrow afternoon at 2:S0 o'clock, Rev.
| Parker P. Phillips. rector Of ST. Paul's
Episcopal Church. Of Alexandria, OFF,
ciatlng Interment viii be in the family
lot at Oak Hill Cemetery.
The palIbearers VIII be his sons, James
L. Norris. jr.. and DR.. r. Ransom Norris;
sons-in-law, Z. N. Sunderland and Ar
thur P. German. ST.; nephews. ]. Nor
rls Robinson and Dr.. Howard Hume. J.
Fred Kelley and Edward T. owens VIII
also serve
Mr.. Norris had been Ill for more than
three years. the original attack OF neu-
ritis developing many complications.
which resulted in his death. Yesterday
morning ne awoke about Z o'clock and
shortly thereafter complained OF feeling
III. 4 few moments later he had q chill
and then Ispsed into Inconsistencies.
His son, James l. Norris. Jr., and his
son-in-law and daughter, Mr.. and Mrs.
Egskins NJ. Sunderland. were st the bed
side when the end came.
Wife Died in 1895.
The married life of Mr.. Norris was
most happy. but sadly terminated on
January y, 1885, by the death OF Mrs.
Norris OF the seven children, FIVE sur
vive. Edith Norris married Rev. P. Par
ker Phillips, rector Of St. Paul's Protest.
ant Episcopal Church, Of Alexandra, Va,
and Grace James Norris became the wife
Of Arthur Pue German, 1r., son OF the
distinguished Maryland Senator. Emma
Virginia. now Mrs. Erskine NJ. Sunder-
land, James Lawson and DR.. Rastus Ran
som Norris, now Of Crisfeld, Md.
James L Norris was born in this city
october Is. 1S46 Except for a few years
Of his youth when completing al Dickin-
son College, an educational training be-
gun under Prof Z. W. Farley, at Ever
EFT Institute, in Washington. Mr.. Norris
has resided here continuously. For thirty
years his best thoughts were devoted
successfully to the upbuilding OF Wash
ington.
His family is of English origin. dating
back to Sir John Norris. who was
knghted on the field Of Hastings. The
American Norrises came over with Lord
Baltimore and settled in St Mary
County. Md
Entered Patent office.
After completing his college course.
Mn Norris read law in Carlisle. Pa.
with Judge Graham. and later in this
city with his father. He entered the
United States Patent once, serving on
the examining corps in the classes OF
mechanical engineering and of electricity
and philosophical instruments, under
Chief Examiners AIbin Schoepf and Wnl-
lam B. Taylor
Having gained full benefit of this prac-
teal experience, Mr.. Norris rendered his
resignation, and in 1863 engaged in the
practice OF his chosen profession, estab-
fishing Offices at F and Seventh streets.
Success crowned his efforts in such gen
erous measure that ten years later he
purchased the property on the northwest
corner Of F and Fifth streets and erect
ed the large Office building bearing his
maine, the greater part Of which NE occu-
pied at his death.
In 1861 he was married 10 Miss Annie
Virginia Robinson, daughter of Col.
Israel Robinson, OF Martinsburg, w, Va,
whose ancestors. owners OF large estates,
were among the early settlers Of that
section. Col. Robinson was a prominent
lawyer, an able editor, a member of the
Virginia legislature and Of the Confeder-
ate Congress.
On the election OF Mr.. Cleveland IN
1854. Mr.. Norris was made a member of
the general inaugural committee, consist
ing OF fifty citizens. and by this commit
tee was elected a member of tho execu-
tive committee and chairman OF the fire.
works committee. In the latter capacity
he delighted the country by a display
then undreamed Of IN the philosophy Of
pyrotechnics.
Selected Advisory Committeeman
During the Cleveland and Thurman
campaign in 1883, Mr.. Norris was selected
by the Democratic National Committee
as IT'S advisory committeeman for the
District. He was elected by the Joint
Democratic caucus of the Senate and
House Of Representatives as the repre-
sentative Of the District on the Demo
cratic Congressional committee and
served as a member of that committee
and as its treasurer from the Fiftieth
Congress to the time Of his death, under
the following chairmen: Senator Kenna,
OF West Virginia: Senator Mitchell, of
Wisconsin: Representative - afterward
goyernor-RosweIl p Flower. of New
York; Senator Faulkner. of West Viz
ginia. and Representatives Richardson
and Griggs. OF Tennessee and Georgia,
respectively.
In March, 1882. Mr.. Norris was elected
a delegate TO the Democratic national