THOMAS G. NORRIS
History of Arizona, 1893

The bulk of men who have legimately achieved success have been 
men of courage, honesty of purpose, integrity and energy and 
Thomas G. Norris certainly possesses those characteristics in 
a marked degree.  He is a product of Carroll County, Arkansas, 
where he was born March 16, 1856, a son of Jonathan and Jane 
(Cannon) Norris, who originally came from the old North State.  
They took up their residence in Carroll County, Arkansas, in 
the year 1830, and there the father turned his attention to 
agricultural pursuits and made a good living for himself and 
family up to the time of the opening of the Civil War.  Their 
home was situated in that section where the greatest 
devastation was laid by both armies and when the great 
struggle ceased, the family, consisting of the father, 
mother and Thomas G. Norris, found themselves homeless and 
penniless, their house destroyed by fire, their stock killed 
or driven away and their land laid waste.

For some time thereafter they suffered many privations, but 
with time their condition improved and they are now 
comfortably situated.  The father still resides in Carroll 
County.  He and his wife became the parents of fourteen 
children, and the subject of this sketch received his 
initiatory education in the schools of his native country.  
The straightened condition of the financial affairs of the 
family caused him to rely upon his own resources at an 
early age, but he was determined to acquire a good education 
and he entered the State University of Iowa where he began 
the study of law, and was graduated from that department in 
1883.  Up to the time he was twenty one years of age Mr. 
Norris had never had a suit of boughten clothes but wore 
homespun made by his mother.  He paid his own way while 
going to school and during the five years that he pursued 
his studies only $19 were paid out for board. He was put 
on rations for months and was allowed only a certain 
amount for bread, meat, etc. in payment for his services.

After graduating in law he entered upon the practice of his 
profession at Berryville, Arkansas, where he remained for 
about six months.  He then 1884, decided to come to Arizona 
and after a six months residence in St. Johns, apache County, 
he removed to Flagstaff and formed a partnership with Col. 
J.F. Wilson, which was dissolved after a few months.  He 
next became a member of the firm of Norris and Ellinwood 
and continued such until the spring of 1893 when he came 
to the city of Prescott and became associated in the 
practice of his profession with J.C. Herndon, the firm 
being known as Herndon and Norris.  They constitute one of 
the best known and ablest law firms in the territory and as 
both as ambitious, with an ambition whose aim is worthy, 
they will undoubtedly rise to distinction in adjusting the 
difficulties of those around them.

Mr. Norris possesses an intimate knowledge of his profession, 
has a decided liking for it, and although his labors are 
arduous they are congenial.  While residing in Arkansas he 
announced his name for assessor of Carroll County, was 
elected and ably filled the position for one term.  In 1891 
he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention 
from Coconino County, Arizona Territory and in the following 
year was elected councilman-at-large for the Territory of 
Arizona and was president of the council in 1893.  He is a 
Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity, is a member of 
the Mystic Shrine and is one of the active workers of the 
order.

In 1883 he led to the marriage altar, Miss Nannie E. 
Scarborough, of Berryville, Arkansas, but December 6, 1894, 
was called upon to mourn her untimely death.  She bore him 
five children, four of whom are living: Mabel, Maud, 
Herndon J., and William J.  

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