The Skaggs-Files

Democratic Standard - Coshocton Co., OH. Fri. 10/16/1896.
Headline: Keene Kernals
A merry time was had at Mr. Archibald Burrell's a few days ago, upon the reunion of Mrs. Burrell's brothers. Those present were Capt. Joshua Norman and brother John, of Abilene, KS., David & Henry, of Newcomerstown, G.W. Norman of Keene, and several of Mr. Burrell's children. The united ages of the four brothers and sisters, was 350 years, and yet all are healthy and looking young.
Traits: John was the best looking, Joshua the heaviest and ate the most dinner, Henry the most pious, and David - well he kissed all the women in the house and smacked his lips at the goddess of Liberty sitting on the mantel. The dinner, well, what's the use of telling, it was such as only Mrs. Burrell and her daughters know how to prepare.

They parted scarcely expecting to all meet again in this life.

The Norman plot in the Abilene, KS. Cemetery is on the west side, close to the front of the cemetery. It is a large plot with 10 graves on it. The stone is a large gray spire stone, set at an angle facing the southwest. You can read the name "Norman" from a distance away. It has a cement border surrounding the plot. At each corner is a small ground level concrete post with the letter N.

Inscription on large tombstone - Abilene, KS. cemetery:
At Rest
Joshua Norman
Born Sept. 26, 1824
Died Mar. 14, 1906
Farewell dead father
Sweet thy rest
Weary with years
Worn with pain
Farewell til in some
Happy place
We behold thy face again

Also buried on the Norman plot in Abilene, KS.:
Edna Mae Norman & her husband Willard C. Colvin.
Charles C. Norman & his wife Martha and their daughter, Wilma
James H. Norman and his wife Cora J.
Joseph C. Norman and his wife Cora Thisler.

1830 Census, Oxford Township, Coshocton County, Ohio, roll 129, Page 22.
Census shows a total of 9 persons in the household: 6 Males and 3 Females
Males under 5: two David and Henry
Males 5-10: One Joshua age 6
Males 10-15: Two John age 11
Males 30-40: One Jabez age 33
Females 5-10: One
Females 10-15: One
Females 30-40: One Nancy age 33

Oct. 26, 1859 =The Coshocton County Democrat (Coshocton, Ohio)
Headline: EXHIBIT of the Receipts and Expenditures of Coshocton County
[Item Entry} Joshua Norman, Tavern License, $2.00

1860 census-White Eyes Plains, Oxford Twp., Coshocton Co., IL.
Series: M653 Roll: 950 Page: 12
June 22, 1860 Nathan Cordray
Joshua Norman, head, age 35, farmer, real estate valued @ $1600 & personal property valued @ $500, born in OH.
Catharine, wife, age 22 born in OH.,
Sarah, dau., age 2, born in OH.
Unknown (Emma), dau., age 2 months born in OH.

1870 census LaMoille, Bureau Co., IL.
Series: M593 Roll: 190 Page: 336
June 9, 1870.
Norman, Joshua, head, age 47, farmer, real estate valued @ $6000, personal property valued @ $1000, born in OH.
Martha, wife, age 27, keeping house, born in Ohio.
Ella, dau., age 13, born in OH. (Catherine)
Emma, dau, age 8, born in OH. (Catherine)
Joseph, son, age 6, born in OH. (Catherine)
Frank, son, age 3, born in OH. (Catherine)
James, son, age 1, born in IL. (Martha)
Dixon, Rick, hired hand, age 25, born in GA. Norman, J.W., age 27, farmer, born in Ohio, personal property valued @ $300.
NOTE: I believe this J.W. Norman to be John Wesley Norman, born 1843, son of Joshua's older brother, John & Mary Davidson Norman. DB
NOTE: I don't know where, Sara, daughter of Joshua & Catherine was at the time of this census. I am assuming that she had died. DB

Joshua & family arrived in Bureau Co., IL. in 1871. It appears from the dates & location of the children's births that Joshua & Mattie went to IL. from OH. & then returned to OH. and again to IL. before making the trek to KS. in 1880. DB)

Joshua & family arrived in Dickinson Co., KS. on Sat. Mar.13, 1880. Traveled by covered wagon.

1880 census-Buckeye, Dickinson Co., KS.
Series: T9 Roll: 379 Page: 411
June 21, 1880
Norman, Joshua, head, age 54, farmer, born in OH., father born in VA., mother born in N. H.
Martha, wife, age 37, born in OH., father born in OH., mother born in VA.
Emma, dau., age 19, born in OH.
Joseph, son, age 17, born in OH.
Frank, son, age 13, born in OH.
James, son, age 11, born in IL.
Edward, son, age 8, born in IL.
Charles, son, age 6, born in OH.
Nellie, dau., age 2, born in IL.
John, son, age 4 mos., born in IL.
I have no idea where Sara & Ella are at the time of the 1880 census. Ella is listed in the 1870 census at age 13. Sara is not listed in the 1870 or 1880 census

1885 Kansas state census Buckeye Twp., Part 2, Dickinson Co., KS.
enumeration listed households as they existed March 1, 1885 (although the census itself may have been done at a later date). Abilene is listed as the post office, and J. M. Stewart was the enumerator.
Norman, Joshua, head, age 59, farmer, born in OH., previous residence was IL.
Martha, wife, age 43, born in OH.
Emma, dau., age 25, single, born in OH.
J., son, age 21, single, farmer, born in OH.
Frank, son, age 17, single, born in OH.
James, son, age 15, born in IL.
Edward, son, age 12, born in IL.
Charles, son, age 9, born in OH.
Nellie, dau., age 7, born in IL.
David, son, age 5, born in IL.

1900 census-Abilene, 1st Ward, Dickinson Co., KS.- T623 Roll 478 Page 6 Lines 79 & 80
Living at 143 S. 4th St. Abilene, KS.
Joshua, head, age 76, born Sep. 1824 in OH., married 31 yrs., father born in VA., mother born in N. H. Owned his home free of mortgage.
Martha, wife, age 57, born Apr. 1843 in OH., married 31 yrs., 7 children with 6 living, father born in OH., mother born in VA.

Joshua owned land in Sec. 19, Twp. 12S - Range 2 E, Dickinson Co., KS. Not known what years this land was owned.

Joshua & Martha lived at 404 West South Fourth St. - Abilene, KS. in the years 1905-1906 per the City Directory. He was listed as retired.

Joshua was referred to as Captain. I can't find any record (as of 2009) of him serving in the Civil War. I am, therefore, leaning toward him being a river boat Captain, perhaps on the Ohio River. Strictly guesswork (2009) on that theory.
Darlene Clemons Berchtold

Ohio Marriages, 1803-1900 Record
Name: NORMAN, JOSHUA
Spouse: WARD, CATHARINE
Marriage Date: 31 Jul 1853
County: Coshocton
State: OH

Ohio Marriages, 1803-1900 Record
Name: NORMAN, JOSHUA
Spouse: JONES, MATTIE
Marriage Date: 13 Aug 1868
County: Coshocton
State: OH

Find A Grave Memorial #6928189