Conditions Governing Use
Biography
Accruals
Preferred Citation
Availability
Scope and Contents
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives
Title: William E. Norris papers
creator:
Norris, Edward, William E., 1856-1924
Identifier/Call Number: MS 851
Physical Description:
.166 Linear Feet
(1 manuscript half-box)
Date (inclusive): 1870-1927
Abstract: Collection consists of a diary written by William E Norris in 1875, papers and photographs of Norris and his wife, Minnie.
Physical Location: Statewide Museum Collections Center
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. Permission for publication must be submitted in writing
to the CSRM Library and Archives.
Biography
William E. Norris was born in Sacramento, California on 19 Sept 1856 to D.H. and Mary Norris. As per the 1870 California
Census, D.H. was a carpenter who was born in Indiana, and Mary was born in Arkansas. D.H. and Mary had two sons, William
and Frank. D.H. Norris passed away in 1876. His death notice, published in the Sacramento Daily Union on 6 June 1876 states
that D.H. Norris was an "old and well known resident of the city." D.H. Norris is buried in the Pioneer Grove of the Sacramento
City Cemetery. The 1880 Sacramento California Census lists Norris as a telegraph operator. As per his retirement record,
he most likely began working for the Southern Pacific in approximately 1871.
Norris went on to live the remainder of his life in Sacramento, appearing on the 1900, 1910 and 1920 Sacramento, California
Census records. For the 1900 and 1910 Sacramento, California Census records he is listed as a telegraph operator for the
Southern Pacific. The 1920 census reflects a change in careers, working for the City of Sacramento. He married Minnie Labassee
on 8 May 1882 in Sacramento and according to the Sacramento City voter lists, they lived at 1012 P Street. Norris and Minnie
had one daughter, Lola, who also raised her family in the Sacramento area. The 1925 February issue of the Southern Pacific
Bulletin, Recent Deaths among S.P. Pensioned Veterans lists a death notice for Norris. It is noted that "William E. Norris,
a train dispatcher with the Sacramento Division, as having passed away 12 December 1924 at the age of 68 years, 3 months."
The notice states that he retired from the Southern Pacific Railroad on April 1, 1911 with 40 years, 1 month service. He
title, Chief Dispatcher, was confirmed on the 1910 Sacramento Division Employee Time table. The 1918 Southern Pacific Pension
Payroll records listed William Norris as receiving a monthly pension of $62.60. Norris died 12 December 1924 in Sacramento
and was buried in the Old City Cemetery in Sacramento, California.
Accruals
No additions are expected.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], William E. Norris Papers, MS 851, California
State Railroad Museum Library and Archives, Sacramento, California.
Availability
Collection is open for research by appointment. Some restrictions may apply. Please give staff one week's advance notice.
Scope and Contents
The collection contains a diary written by Norris, photographs, certificate, letters of condolences and an obituary for Norris.
The diary was written by Norris in 1875 while he was employed by Southern Pacific as a telegraph operator. The diary documents
current events, anecdotes about work and other items of interest to a 19 year old. The condolence letters sent to Norris'
wife after his death were written on behalf of the Sacramento Society California Pioneers and the Industrial Lodge, No 157.
The obituary documents the passing of Norris after a short illness in 1924. The certificate is an original document for the
Train Dispatcher's Association of America, Membership Certificate from September 1889. There is a small collection of photos
of William Norris and his wife. There are photos of Norris as a young man, as well as photographs taken in the last few years
of his life.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Christine Stern, 2019
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Diaries--19th century
Railroads--Train dispatching