Jason Norman, a farmer residing on section 24, Wheatfield Township, Clinton County, where he owns and operates three hundred and ten acres, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., January 23, 1828, and is the son of Jesse and Susan (CLAY) Norman, natives respectively of South Carolina and Tennessee. The paternal grandparents were natives of South Carolina, and the grandmother, whose maiden name was Alcy DODD, attained a very advanced age.

The parents of our subject came to Clinton County, Ill., in 1829, and settled in Wheatfield Township. Both died in this county, the mother January 20, 1830, in Wheatfield Township, and the father November 7, 1844, in Santa Fe Township. The latter was three times married, but Jason is the only surviving member of the family. The latter was educated in the subscription schools, though his education has been acquired principally by self-culture. In this county, January 17, 1847, he married Miss Martha, daughter of Richard and Lucinda HUDSON. This lady was born in Alabama March 1, 1828, and was brought by her parents to Illinois shortly after her birth. She is one of ten children, of whom the following survive: Charles M., James M., Nelson W., Andrew J.; Mrs. Polly IRVIN, of Wayne County, Ill.; Nancy G., who married John GRACY, of Kansas; and Mrs. Martha Norman.

Locating on his present farm in 1847, Jason Norman entered one hundred and sixty acres from the Government, and as he prospered, added to his first purchase until he now owns three hundred and ten acres of land, of which two hundred and forty are under cultivation. The place has been improved with substantial buildings, such as are to be found on all well regulated homesteads. In polities Mr. Norman is a Republican, and his ability has been recognized by the people of the township, who have elected him to numerous offices, all of which he has filled to the satisfaction of the people. In religious views he is liberal, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Norman resulted in the birth of twelve children. George W. married Miss Pervina OGLE, a native of Pennsylvania, and they have four children. Lewis E. is the next in order of birth. Nellie M. is married and lives in California. Eliza became the wife of J. W. FRENSLY, by whom she has two children, Cora E. and Martha G.; the former is married, has two children, and lives in Bond County, Ill. Ellen first married Jesse B. CASEY, by whom she had two children, Mira G. and Jesse L.; after the death of Mr. Casey, in 1884, she married Noah KELL, their union resulting in the birth of two children, Elsie and Samuel W.; Mr. Kell died in 1893, and his widow now lives in Kansas. James B., a resident of Kansas, married Callie MITCHELL, and they have four children: Harry, Jason, Fannie and William. Fannie married Rev. J. G. DEE, Presiding Elder at Carmi, Ill., and they have four children: Norman B., Paul S., Ruth and Nellie. T. Grant is the next in order of birth. Richard S. married Miss Laura J. ESHELMAN, and they have three children: Alta, Pearl and Golda. Samuel J. chose as his wife Ella MADDUX, and they, with their two children, Thomas J. and Elma H., reside on the home farm.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois, 1894, Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, IL

Submitted by: Connie Albers

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