John lived on the family farm in Ohio and aided in the operations of the farm until he was 22 years of age.

He worked on the Ohio Canal at different times and for ten years he operated a sawmill in Choshocton County, Ohio. He also engaged in merchandising for three years while in Ohio.

In 1867 John Norman disposed of his business interests in Ohio and moved to Bureau County, Illinois where he engaged in farming for about six years.

Mr. Norman was twice married. He first married Mary Davidson. She died eight and a half years later. Four children were born to John and Mary Norman: John Wesley, Jemina Ann, Jabez and Jane who died in infancy.

Mr. Norman was again married in Orange, Coshocton County, Ohio on April 26, 1850 to Lucinda Deeds. She was born in Washington County, Pa. on January 15, 1826. They had five children: Elmarinda, Mary Catherine, Harriet Elizabeth, Wellington and Orlando Warren.

In 1872 John Norman migrated west to Kansas where he purchased a half-section of land at $6.50 per acre in Noble Township. He then returned to Illinois and brought the family to their new home, about six miles northwest of Chapman, Kansas.

After the Rebublican Party was formed in 1854, John Norman became one of it’s staunch supporters. For many years he filled the office of Justice of the Peace.



————

Early Settlers of Dickinson County

by Earl Mills

John Norman was born on March 8, 1819 in Coshocton County, Ohio. His father, Jabez, and his mother, Nancy were early settlers in Ohio.

The Norman family was originally from Normandy, France, but had migrated to England at an early day in the history of England. Members of the family came to the United States during Colonial days and furnished distinguished pioneers to Pennsylvania and Ohio.

John lived on the home farm and aided in the operations of the farm until he was 22 years of age.

He worked on the Ohio Canal at different times, and for ten years he operated a sawmill in Coshocton County. He also engaged in merchandising for three years while in Ohio.

In 1867, John Norman disposed of his business interests in Ohio and moved to Bureau County, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for about six years.

Mr. Norman was twice married. He first married Mary Davidson. She died eight and one-half years later. Four children were born to John and Mary Norman: John Wesley, Jemina Ann, Jabez, and Jane who died in infancy.

Mr. Norman was again married in Orange, Coshocton County, Ohio on April 26, 1850, to Miss Lucinda Deeds. She was born in Washington County, Pa., on January 15, 1826. They had five children: Elmarinda, Mary Catherine, Harriet Elizabeth, Wellington, and Orlando Warren.

In 1872, John Norman migrated west to Kansas where he purchased a half-section of land at $6.50 per acre, probably the W 1/2 of Section 3, Noble Township. He then returned to Illinois and brought the family to their new home, about six miles northeast of Chapman, Kansas.

After the Republican Party was formed in 1854, John Norman became one of its staunch supporters. For many years he filled the office of Justice of the Peace to the satisfaction of constituents.

Wellington Norman, son of John and Lucinda Deeds was born on March 7, 1857, at Orange, Ohio. He came to Noble Township with his parents in 1872.

On October 25, 1877, Wellington Norman married Loretta E. Clemons. Loretta was born near Hornell, NY, April 10, 1857. In 1871 she came with her parents and settled on a farm on Chapman Creek, near Sutphen's Mill, Kansas.

Wellington and Loretta took up land in the W 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of Section 8, and the N 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of Section 9, Noble Township.

Wellington Norman was one of the builders of the Wesley Community, which was located one mile east of the Chapman-Upland road on K-18. Here he established a store and post office, originally known as Good Hope, but later changed to Wesley.

Loretta Norman died on July 17, 1931 and Wellington died on December 26, 1935. Both were buried in the Good Hope Cemetery.

Reference: Dickinson County Historical Society Archives.

She and John Norman had 4 children during their 8 1/2 year marriage (she died). Chidren’s names: John Wesley, Jemima Ann, Jabez and Jane (who died in infancy).11