The Press., 1916-02-23

ARTHUR DICKINSON NORCROSS
Arthur Dick insnn Norcross. 81, one
citizens, died at his home on Main
street Sunday, the 18th, of hardening
of the arteries after long aud linger-
ing illness extending over two years,
Mr.. Norcross was a native of Monson
and was born Novem Der z, 1s4S, the
elder son of the late Alfred and Olivia
Chaplin Norc1oss. He was educated
in the public schools and the academy
and then entered Massachusetts agri-
cultural college, graduating in 1871
with the first class to leave that
institution. For some time after his
return to Mouson he was employed by
the Merrick & Fay company as inspec-
tor in the hat factory, leaving that
position in 1873 to enter the post
office as assistant to the late Rice S.
Mum who was then postmaster Upon
was in 1881 appointed postmaster and
served in that capacity until 1886,
when with his brother, Herbert O.
Norcross, he opened and conducted a
general store in Central block. After
the destruction of Central block by
fire Novem Der ID. 1898. Mr.. Norcross
retired from active business life, but
was by no meaus idle He possessed
progressive mind. and continually
sought to improve and better certain
conditions aiming to reach the hig hest
standard. In politics Mr. Norcross
was a republican. His father, the
late Alfred Norcross, had held various
town offices and in due time the son
followed the same path, but in a
broader and wider sense, befltting the
times. He was chairman of selectmen
during the ten yearsshe served on I'll Q
board, water comm issioner from the
time the system was established in
1894 until this winter, when he de-
clined reelection ON account of i'll
health, road commissioner for two
years, chief of the fire department
several years, a mem Der of the school
committee for a long term of service,
in all of these. positions serving the
town honorably and we'll. He was also
one of the trustees and a member of
the finanial committee of the Monsoon
Savings Bank, director of the Monson
National Bank as well as director of
the Monson Free Library and trustee
of Monson academy. He represented
the first Hampden representative dis
trict in 1904, 1905 and 9O6. and was
state senator from the Worcester
Hampton district in 1908 and 1909.
While in the legislature it was said of
him that "As legislator Mr.. Nor
cross had the enviable position of
being a man whose vote all we're
anxious to possess. - While in college
Mr.. Norcross was a member and the
first president of the Washington
Irving Literary society and member
of the Delta Gamma Kappa fraternity.
He was also one of the victorious
Aggie crew which defeated the crews
of several leading universities in a
race on the Connecticut river that year
with an exceptionally fine
voice and unusually musical ability,
upon his return from college he
gathered together in the early 7O's
the musical talent of the town, and for
a number Of years conducted the
rehearsals of the Monson Harmony
society in the academy chapel Tues.
lay evenings during the winter
This society was composed
Of chorus of from fifty to one hun
bred voices and was accompanied by
an orchestra of fifteen pieces. Con
,erts we're given in other places as
we'll as in the home town, and in
1872 the society went to Boston to
preform it's part in the Worlds Peace |
Jubilee. Mr.. Norcross also sang in
W orcester and Boston churches, where |
his services were eagerly sought and /
highly valued as we'll as in the |
churches of his native town. The
Monson Cornet Band which held first
.ank in this vicinity was established
and conducted by him and the best
singers and musical talent that Mon
ION people have been privileged to
near were brought here by his efforts.
" lille Mr.. Norcross did not live the
lllotted three score years and ten, the
Measure of his years was full and he
what no other individual
II Monson has attempted. He was
married. January a, 1882, to Miss
Augusta V. Kinney of Rochdale who
With daughter, Mrs. John L Webster
# East Hartford, Conn.,, son, Arthur
}. Norcross of New York city, and
brother, Hubert O. Norcross of this
own survive. The funeral was held
It the home Tuesday afternoon, Rev.
!. A. Andrews, pastor of the Congre-
ational church, of which Mr.. Nor.
ross was a mem Der, officiating. The
ulogy was pronounced by Ernest e.
Iobson of Palmer, who paid just
ribute to the life and character of
1r. Norcross. The burial took place
n the family lot in the Center ceme-
cry. The bearers were E. E. Hobson,
!. M. Gage, W. M. Tucker, r. P.
'ushman, @. A. Broadway and T.. @.
'lynt. The banks, library, academy
nd retail stores were closed during
he services.
Miss Nellie Squier, who has been
Librarian for 20 years, has resigned
hat position.
Joe Avella, formerly with W. M.
ucker, has taken position with
7. N. Flynt & Sons.
e. J. Foskit's store was broken
1to Wednesday night and goods to
- Oh