- MARK ALLEN NORRIS, was born in the city of Janesville, Oct.
19, 1851. He is the eldest of
- three children born to Alvin and Anna (BATES) NORRIS. He
enjoyed the advantages of a common school education; supplemented
by a course of study under a private instructor, having previously
spent a portion of two years as a student in Lawrence University,
at Appleton, Wis. For a few years after leaving school, he assisted
his father in conducting the old NORRIS House, one of the early
hotel landmarks of the city - which then occupied the site of
the present Windsor Hotel, at the corner of Main and North First
streets.
- Mr. NORRIS was actively engaged for several years in newspaper
work. He was an attaché of
- the Janesville Dailey Recorder when the paper was in its
infancy, under the management of Garrett VEEDER and W. H. LEONARD.
It was in this office that he learned the practical details
of the "art preservative." He was for a considerable
time employed in the business office, and subsequently was promoted
to the editorial room. In 1879 he was nominated as the Republican
candidate for City Clerk in opposition to the late J. M. BURGESS,
the Democratic incumbent of the office. He was defeated by a
small majority. His opponent, an old and highly respected resident,
was dependent for support entirely upon his earnings, and poplar
sympathy re-elected him to the office. Mr. NORRIS has always
been a Republican, but since his defeat has never entered the
list for office. Accompanying Col. Edward Roger's engineering
expedition to New Mexico in the spring of 1880 he remained in
that territory until July, 1882, filling various positions of
responsibility and trust in the employ of the Wiley Construction
Company. The summer and autumn of 1882 was spent in travel throughout
New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. Returning to Janesville he accepted
his former position on the staff of the Recorder which he soon
afterwards resigned to accept a position as business manager
of the Pierre, Dakota, Recorder, a promising newspaper, founded
shortly before by MYHR and NOLAN, of Janesville, Wis. He removed
to Pierre early in 1883 to assume the duties of his position.
A year later he purchased a one-half interest in the business,
and for several months edited the paper. Disposing of his interests
in the West he returned to Wisconsin to engage in his present
enterprise. He was a member of the Fire Department for several
years before its reorganization, holding at times the offices
of Vice President of the department and Secretary of the Water
Witch Engine Company No. 2. He was one of the drill-team of
the Janesville Guards, and holds an honorable discharge for service
to the State in the First Regiment, Wisconsin National Guards,
having served the full term of enlistment; is a member of good
standing of Janesville City Lodge No. 90, I. O. O. F.; is manager
of the Janesville Thermo-Therapeutic Baths and Magnetic Vacuum
Institute, which is situated in Norcross Block on River street,
in Janesville. The proprietors are Mrs. A. B. and Mr. M. A.
NORRIS. The treatment consists of Turkish, Russian, electro-thermal
and medicated baths; massage; electric magnetic and vacuum equalizer
treatments. This institution is first-class in all its appointments
has perfect ventilation and highest temperatures. The Turkish
bath is approved and recommended by the most eminent medical
authorities and physicians everywhere. The business was established
in 1875, by Mrs. A. B. NORRIS, and our subject has had an interest
since its inception, and since 1886 has been actively connected
with its management. Mrs. NORRIS was first led to undertake
the establishment of this institution by being cured of paralysis,
by means of the magnetic, vacuum and electro-thermal bath treatment.
Wishing to give suffering humanity the benefits of her experience
she has made this her life work and study. Starting in a modest
way, the benefits to patients have been so pronounced that the
business has grown to important proportions and has justified
the proprietors in fitting the establishment with the most complete
of modern facilities for successful treatment of the sick and
well. M. A. NORRIS, the manager, is well versed in all that
pertains to the business and has won hosts of friends by his
courteous and unremitting attention to the wants of his patrons.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 801-802.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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