Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Chase, Norman G. 1884
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Smyrna Obituary. – Norman G. Chase.

“The following obituary of my father,” writes Major Frank R. Chase, “is almost 
an autobiography, as it is taken nearly verbatim from his manuscripts.”

Norman G. Chase, as previously stated in the MAIL, passed from earth June 24, 
aged 82 years, one month and eighteen days.  He was born in Gilford, Vermont, 
baptized by Rev. Benj. M. Hill at New Haven, Conn., May 12, 1822; at the age of 
twenty graduated at Wellingford academy in 1825; feeling a call to the 
ministry, he graduated at the Baptist literary and theological seminary of 
Hamilton, N.Y., in 1830; was ordained at Frankfort, Herkimer county, N.Y., in 
1831, by a council, among whom were Elon Galusha, of Whitesborough; Wm. Hague, 
of Utica; and Rev. Carpenter, of Littlefalls; was pastor of the churches of 
Frankfort, N.Y., 1830-31; Smithville, N.Y., 1832-33; Boonville, N.Y., 1834-35; 
Michigan City, Ind., 1836-37; Nopoleon, Mich., 1838-41; and Howell, Mich., 
1842-44.  Was agent of the Michigan state temperance society during the years 
of 1840-41, lecturing and doing much to promote temperance principles and 
organizations.  He was married to Miss Lucinda Carroll, at Springfield, N.Y., 
May 5, 1831.  The fruit of the marriage was four children, three of whom died 
in infancy.  About one-third of his ministerial life, he was laid aside from 
labor and confined to his house by a fever sore in the right leg, which 
produced a debilitated state of the nervous system, injurious in public 
speaking.  After his knee became stiff he had a conviction of being called out 
of the ministry, and in 1844 he returned to the quiet pursuit of his youthful 
employment, the mercantile business, by which he had supported and educated 
himself, from the age of eighteen.  He settled in Smyrna, then a wilderness, 
and commenced work with a capital of $150, of which one-half was borrowed.  
Strict attention to business, and the closest economy, with indomitable 
perseverance and will, enabled him to succeed and contribute unexpected amounts 
to the local churches and general Christian benevolence (aggregating over 
$40,000), and to which he wills all the remaining portion of his property which 
had not been distributed by his own hand.  He retired from active business in 
1863, and the remainder of his days were spent at his desk attending to 
insurance and office work, maintaining his vigor of mind to the last.  His 
chronic difficulty of seventy years standing was an ever present pain, and 
frequently brought him near death’s door, and yet no one ever heard a word of 
impatience in all these years, and often when asked how he could bear his pain 
so patiently, would say, “The good Lord knows best.”

His faith and trust in his heavenly Father were unfaltering and strengthened 
with age.  Among his frequent sayings, were “I love to steal away, in secret 
prayer,” “I am waiting – only waiting,” “Let not your heart be troubled, I will 
give you rest,” and like one of old he set his house in order, completing all 
his work and waited, ready and willing for the call.  

[Transcriber's Note:  There is a notation on the obituary card that he died 24 
Jun 1884.]


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