Saturday, June 25, 2005

John Norton (1861-1905) biography

John Norton (1861-1905) Laborer (b. November 1861, County Galway, Ireland - d. June 06, 1905, Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey, USA)

Birth:
John was born in County Galway, Ireland to Michael Norton (c1840-?) and Bridget Mulligan (c1840-?).

Siblings:
His siblings include: Patrick J. Norton (1856-1905) who married Sarah Jane Carr (c1863-1950 aka Sadie Carr; and possibly Matthew Norton (c1858-aft1891) who was the witness to Patrick and Sara's wedding and was living at Patrick's house in the same year.

Emigration:
Patrick and John probably emigrated from Ireland in 1882 and arrived in Boston, Massachusetts where Patrick was naturalized.

Jersey City, New Jersey:
In 1890 both John and Patrick were living at 163 Bright Street in Jersey City. John was working as a bartender and Patrick as a fireman on the railroad. A railroad fireman was the man who added the coal to the steam boiler. In 1900 John was living at 101 Bright Street in Jersey City with his brother and his brother's wife and he was working as a day laborer on the railroad.

Death:
John never married and he died in 1905 of pulmonary tuberculosis at Saint Francis Hospital in Jersey City.

Burial:
Mass was held at Saint Bridget's Church and he was buried at Holy Name Cemetery with: his brother, Patrick J. Norton; and Patrick's wife Sarah Carr.

Obituary:
His obituary appeared in the Evening Journal on Wednesday, June 07, 1905 an it reads as follows: "Norton - On Wednesday, June 7, 1905 [sic], John Norton. Relatives and friends are requested to attend his funeral from the residence of his brother, Patrick Norton, 101 Bright Street, on Friday, June 9, at 9 a.m.; thence to St. Bridget's Church, where a high mass of requiem will be offered for the happy repose of his soul."

Death of Brother:
His brother, Patrick J. Norton, died on October 09, 1905, just four months afyer John died. Patrick died of "pyronephritic septisemia".

Relationship:
John Norton (1861-1905) was the great granduncle of Richard Arthur Norton (1958- ).