A. Henry Norris

From History of Frederick County. p. 1075-1077:

A. Henry Norris, who is the owner of the “Locust Grove” farm, containing 153 acres in Johnsville District, on the Copper mine road, about three miles from Liberty, was born on this homestead of the family, March 2, 1842. He is a son of Nicholas and Mary Ann (McKinstry) Norris.

The Norris family is of English descent. Admiral Norris, of.the British navy, was the ancestor. The first of the name to come to America was Jonathan Norris. He was a native of England, and, with two brothers, emigrated to the United States. One of his brothers settled on the Eastern Shore of Maryland while he located in Frederick County. He was the great-grandfather of A. Henry Norris.

Amos Norris, son of Jonathan Norris, was the first of the family to live on the “Locust Grove” farm in Johnsville District. He was a slave owner, and died on this estate at the age of sixty-eight years. He was a Whig, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Norris was married to Elizabeth Hoy. She lived to be seventy-five years old, and was also a Methodist in religion. They were the parents of the following children: Israel; Basil; Nicholas; Susan, married Samuel Urner, and became the mother of Milton G. Urner, of Frederick City; Tabitha, married Jonas Urner; Mary, became the wife of John Phillips; Elizabeth, died unmarried, and one of the. family who died aged twenty years.

Nicholas Norris, son of Amos and Elizabeth (Hoy) Norris, was born on the part of “Locust Grove” farm in Johnsville District now owned by his son, Nicholas E., in 1804. He was one year old when his father located on this tract. He received his education at Professor Rockwell’s private school at Liberty. He followed agricultural pursuits. He was elected and served one term as commissioner of Frederick county. It was while he was serving in that capacity that the county court house was built. At the death of his father, he succeeded to “Locust Grove,” and here he died in 1866. Politically, he was at first a Whig, and later a Democrat. He was elected commissioner by the Whigs. Religiously, he was a member of the Linganore Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Norris was married to Mary Ann McKinstry, daughter of Evan and Joanna (Lyons) McKinstry. There was the following issue from this union: Evan, died aged twenty-one years; Basil, was born in 1840 and died in 1874, who married Emily Clemson; A. Henry, whose name heads this review; Joanna, has never married, Mary T., is the wife of William H. H. Clary, Frederick County; Nicholas E.; Samuel, unmarried, lives in Baltimore; Milton McK., is a physician engaged in practice at Union Bridge, and married a Miss Shriner; and Carrie, married to William J. Urner, of Baltimore City.

A. Henry Norris, son of Nicholas and Mary Ann (McKinstry) Norris, was born on the paternal estate, “Locust Grove,” and was educated at the Fountain public school under John S. Rapp. He later attended a private school at Liberty under Professor Loveland. He was all his life identified with agriculture until two years ago, when he retired from active labor. His son is now managing his farm. Mr. Norris purchased this place in 1882, and was very successful in its cultivation. The home was erected in 1803 by his grandfather. It is a two-story and basement building, of brick. The brick was burned on the place. In his political views, Mr. Norris is a stanch Democrat. He is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Linganore, in which he is a trustee. He is a highly esteemed citizen and is a man of much moral worth. He is recognized as one of the most substantial citizens in Johnsville District and commands the respect of all who know him.

Mr. Norris was married to Julia E. Gaither, March 25, 1880. She was educated at Woman’s College, Frederick City; was born April 27, 1855, and is a daughter of Henry Chew and Juliet E. Maynard Gaither, who were Methodist in religion. Henry and Elizabeth are the parents of the following children: Henry G., died in infancy; Clara G., born October 23, 1883, was married November 3, 1909, to Charles Fitzsimmons of Germantown, Montgomery County. She was educated at Hannah Moore Academy, Baltimore County, N. Dorsey Norris, born September 9, 1886, unmarried, and a graduate of the Blue Ridge College, Union Bridge, Md.; Mary J., was born April 18, 1888, was married to Charles S. Haines, of Union Bridge, Md., by whom she has one child, Charles Norris Haines, who was born December 11. 1907. She was educated at the Western High School and Blue Ridge College, Union Bridge, Md.; Margaret E. died in infancy.

Nicholas Edgar Norris, younger brother of A. Henry Norris. was born on the farm now owned by his brother, October 20, 1850. He was sent to the public school at Fountain under a Mr. Smith and later spent several terms at the academy at Liberty under Prof. John S. Grove. He left school when he was eighteen years old, and was employed on the home farm until he was of age. He then took up his residence on his present farm, and began life for himself. This place contains 200 acres of good land, well improved. The large, square brick dwelling on the place was built by his father in 1862, and the barn five years earlier. He is an active and progressive farmer. He votes in support of the Democratic candidates. He is a Methodist in religion. Mr. Norris was married January 19, 1883, to Fannie W. Browning, daughter of Jonathan and Mary Ann (Clary) Browning, of Liberty. They were the parents of the following children: Mary Eugenia, born October 2, 1882, and was married April 3, 1907, to William Charles Smith, of Walkersville, by whom she has one child, Charles William, Jr., who was born August 11, 1908; Joanna W., born December 5, 1884, was married January 19, 1903, to Loraine Simpson, of Liberty, by whom she has two children, Loraine, Jr., born October 15, 1905, and Christine Virginia, born October 12, 1907; Edna Clary, born November 1, 1886, was married August 17, 1910, to James S. Porterfield, of Charlestown, W. Va.; Nicholas Browning, born August 1, 1889, is a student at the Maryland Institute, where he is studying architecture; Carrie Urner, born May 3, 1892, is a student at the Western High School; Helen Monroe, born February 19, 1894, also at Western High School; Samuel McKinstry, born August 30, 1896; Paul, born October 12, 1898. Mrs. Norris died February 4, 1900. She was active as a member of the Linganore Methodist Episcopal Church and a leader in much work of that congregation. She had been educated at a seminary in Libertytown, and studied music. Her death caused much sorrow among a wide circle of friends.