History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

1289

soldiers in that conflict. In 1849 he was reappointed United States district attorney by President Zachary Taylor, but before the expiration
of his term he passed away at his fine old homestead on Jefferson avenue, Detroit, on the 24th of April, I850. The city and the entire state
manifested a sense of loss and bereavement when this noble and honored citizen passed away, in his sixty-first year. Mr. Norvell's old home,
which is still standing and in excellent preservation, is situated at 8I4
Jefferson avenue, between Chene street and Joseph Campau avenue, and
was erected by him in 1836, when that part of the city belonged
to Hamtramck township.
While a resident of Philadelphia Mr. Norvell was twice married.
The maiden name of his first wife was Cone, and she was survived by
three sons: Spencer, who was graduated in the United States Military
Academy, at West Point, and who served as Captain in the Mexican
war, died at Saratoga Springs, New York, on the I2th of August I850,
about three months after the death of his honored father; Algernon died
in childhood; and Joseph, who was graduated in the United States Naval
Academy, at Annapolis, died in Detroit, on the I5th of April, 1840. In
I823 Mr. Norvell married Miss Isabella Hodgkiss, of Philadelphia. She
died on the 3oth of March, 1873, at the old homestead on Jefferson
avenue. During the time that her husband was in attendance at the
constitutional convention of Michigan Mrs. Norvell served as his substitute in the office of postmaster of Detroit. She was a woman of
gracious personality and a leader in the social activities of Detroit. Concerning the children of the second marriage of Senator Norvell brief
record is here entered, four of the children mentioned having been born
in Philadelphia and the remaining six in Detroit: Isabella Gibson (died
on the 28th of March, I889); Dallas, who was a gentleman farmer on
beautiful Grosse Isle in the Detroit river, served as supervisor of his township, was in service in the United States commissary department during
the closing years of the Civil war, and died March 5, I888. Freeman,
who served as a lieutenant in the Mexican war and as colonel of a Michigan regiment in the Civil war, was president of the Detroit board of
education from 1870 to 1879, and afterward its secretary, died on the
I3th of May, I88I. Barry Norvell, the next in order of birth, was a
civil engineer by profession and died from an attack of yellow fever, at
Mount Vernon, Indiana, August 20, I858. John Mason Norvell served
on the staff of General Richardson in the Civil war, was later promoted
brigadier general and his death occurred in 1892. Stevens Thompson
Norvell, who served during the Civil war, was promoted colonel in the
United States army died in August, 19II. Emily Virginia Norvell resides
in Detroit and is the widow of Hon. Henry Nelson Walker. Alfred
Cuthbert Norvell died July 22, 1883. Edwin Forrest Norvell served as
first lieutenant on the staff of General Broadhead in the Civil war and
his death occurred July 28, 1876. James Knox Polk Norvell died in
Detroit April I, I905.
In the sixteenth of the interesting historical papers published under
the title of "The Memories of Winder" appears the following description of Senator Norvell: "Mr. Norvell was a handsome man, short,
stout, with light complexion, regular features and blue eyes. In manners
he was a gentleman of the old school,-polite, courteous and dignified,and in society he was a fine conversationalist, quick of repartee and
fond of poetry. He was invariably dressed in black broadcloth, with
silk hat and ruffled shirt, and always dipped his beaver to every woman
whom he met on the street, whether she were rich or poor, old or
young, white, black or red."