Norris Family Collection (Kane County)

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-074

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Norris family collection partially documents life on the Norris family farm in Blackberry Township, Kane County, Illinois, from 1864-1932. The earliest record contained in the collection is a copy of the diary of Hiram Norris’ wife and son, Hannah Marcella Norris and Frank Young Norris (1864). The bulk of the remaining manuscript material pertains to the last quarter of the nineteenth century; two printed books were published in the 1920’s and 1930’s. In addition to the diary, there are various other farm records, including mill accounts, sales records, household and estate expenses, and rents. Related school district records, school notebooks, an atlas, and printed books complete the collection.

Dates

created: 1864-1932
Other: Date acquired: 08/01/1979

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection are held by the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

The Illinois Department of Agriculture designated the Donald Norris farm in Sugar Grove, Kane County, Illinois, a Centennial farm in the 1970’s. Matthew N. Norris, a recent arrival from the East, made the original land purchase in 1844 shortly after the U.S. government had completed a new land survey there. As such, the Norris farm was one of the earliest such settlements in Blackberry Township. The 450 acre site has passed through five successive generations of the Norris family: Matthew Norris (1798-1885); Hiram Norris (1828-1904); Frank Norris (1856-1940); Warren Norris (1884-1963); and Donald Norris (1917-present). In the 1840’s and 1850’s Kane County agriculture was basically devoted to small grains. About 1864-1865 many farmers switched to dairy farming to increase profits, and cheese and butter production followed suit. The Norris family became well-known in the area at the time for breeding and dealing in fine livestock; Hiram Norris has been credited with introducing Hereford cattle into Kane County. Respective generations of Norrises have engaged in agricultural and civic organizations, i.e., the Kane County Farm Bureau. Hiram Norris and Warren Norris were active participants in school district affairs.

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