Ohioan Norris became 'Nebraska through and through'

Friday, September 26, 2003
Linda Hein

George W. Norris, benefactor to rural America, was the subject of the annual George W. Norris Foundation's Heritage Days Prayer Breakfast today at Memorial Auditorium.

Linda Hein, site supervisor at the George Norris Historic Site, described how the early years of hard work and the deprivation of a father at a young age helped form Norris' leadership abilities.

Norris' father died in 1864 of pneumonia when George was three years old, leaving behind George, six sisters still living at home, and his wife, Mary, who was seven months pregnant with their 12th child. Instead of kindergarten, George began his day with a round of chores, pumping water, milking cows and chopping wood.

"Every farm chore a kid his age could do, he did," said Hein. "And his exposure to these hardships no doubt helped form his support of agriculture and his eventual struggle to bring electricity to rural America."

Norris' opposition to war was influenced by his only brother's death while serving with General Sherman during Sherman's March to the Sea. "Norris opposed World War I, believing it was fought for profit," Hein explained.

Hein enjoyed a visit to Norris' Ohio home earlier in the summer and toured the cemetery where George's parents are buried.

"The current owners of the house have just incorporated the summer kitchen with the rest of the house," said Hein. "I stood in front of the same oven where Mary baked bread for George and his sisters."

Though a small church was just down the road from the Norris home, and stands there still, George's religious upbringing consisted of Bible readings each Sunday afternoon and the example of Mary's "steadfast faith in the absolute good and righteousness of the Lord."

"George was disturbed by the religious teachings of the day and just like his mother, never joined a formal church, but learned about compassion and service from his own experiences and those biblical principals she demonstrated," said Hein.

"When George came to Nebraska in 1885," Hein continued, "he became a Nebraskan through and through.

"His loyalties were steadfast to his adopted state, and the legacy he left us is our heritage," she stated in concluding her remarks. Stephanie Gunter served as the master of ceremonies, and the Rev. Charles Hooton offered the invocation.

Floyd Hershberger was the soloist. He and his wife, Joyce, were named the Heritage Days Honor Family Wednesday night.

Hershberger closed the prayer breakfast with a solid and soulful rendition of "Beautiful Nebraska," introducing the song with a repartee with former Gov. Frank Morrison whose wife Maxine was the first one to perform the state song.

When asked by Hershberger if he had ever sung "Beautiful Nebraska" Gov. Morrison quipped, "I sang in the shower once. Maxine heard me and convinced me never to sing again."

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