Titel: Arkiverat - 30 aug 2010
Skrivet av: Chris Bingefors skrivet 2010-05-09, 11:58
SWEDISH-AMERICANS OF MINNESOTA 627
John S. Norman. - The representative of a family that has long been prominent in Sweden, John S. Norman, ranks high among, the esteemed and prosperous Swedish citizens of Minnesota, the record of whose lives fills an important place in this volume. In the sketch of his brother, Oscar E. Norman, which may be found elsewhere in this work, a more comprehensive history of his ancestors is given. Both brothers are identified with the mercantile interests of Minneapolis, Oscar E., as a grocer, while John S. is at the head of the Norman Baking Company.
One of the seven children of Christer R. and Christina (Swenson) Norman, John S. Norman was born, May 25, 1865, in Vireda, Smaland, Sweden, and was there educated and confirmed. He subsequently worked on the parental homestead until 1883, when he cameto America, joining his brother Claes Alfred, who was already well settled in Minnesota. After working as a farm hand for a year, he was employed as a coach- man in Minneapolis for an equal length of time. Going then to North Dakota, Mr. Norman took up a homestead, but at the end of two years sold that property and returned to Minneapolis. The following two years he was variously employed, and after that worked as a driver for a bakery company for five years, during which time he learned the bakerv business. In 1893 Mr. Norman started a bakery of his own, which he operated for a year, and then sold out, and resumed his for- mer occupation. Buying his present place of business in 1895, Mr. Norman has built up a fine plant, having the most modern and up-to-date equipments, and is carrying on a substantial business as a wholesale and retail baker. In 1906 the business was incorporated as The Norman Baking Company, Bread Bakers and Shippers, with a capital of $75,000, and with the following-named officers : John S. Norman, president and treasurer ; I. T. Norman, vice-president ; and Oscar Rask, secretary.
Mr. Norman, in 1890, was united in marriage, at Minneapolis, with Sophie Nelson, of Varberg, Sweden. She died, of puerperal fever, in 1899, leaving two children, namely: Ruth Roseman, born January 1, 1893; and Gladys, who lived but a brief time after the death of her mother. Air. Norman married, second, in 1902, Ida Theresa Larson, who was born January 3, 1874, in Sweden, her birth occurring in Haurida parish, Smaland. Two children have blessed this union, namely: Elsie Theresa, born July 10, 1903 ; and Norma Evelyn, born April 16, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Norman are people of sterling worth, and are held in high regard throughout the community in which they reside, their home being pleasantly located at 191 1 Fourteenth avenue. They attend the Swedish- English Lutheran Messiah church, in which they are faithful workers. Fraternally Mr. Norman is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.