Biographical / Historical Sketch
Processed by
Barbara Quigley
8 July 2005
Manuscript and Visual Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
Indiana Historical Society
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269
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VOLUME OF |
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COLLECTION |
Ca. 1860–ca. 1918 |
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PROVENANCE: |
Unknown |
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RESTRICTIONS: |
None |
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COPYRIGHT: |
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REPRODUCTION |
Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Indiana Historical Society. |
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ALTERNATE |
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RELATED |
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ACCESSION |
0000.0413 |
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NOTES: |
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In 1911 Elbert F. “Dick” Norwood became the oldest living native male resident of Indianapolis. He was born on 15 June 1830, in a house near the northeast corner of Market Street and what is now Senate Avenue, on what are now the grounds of Indiana’s capitol.
His father, George Norwood, was the third white man to settle in Indianapolis, arriving in 1821 or 1822 from Milton, Indiana. He had a lease on eight acres that included the site of the capitol, on which he grew grain, corn, and potatoes, and where his cows roamed the woods where Washington Street is now. In 1832 he gave up his family’s home to make way for the first statehouse to be erected in Indianapolis. He canceled his lease and turned the site over to the state for $300. Over time he owned various lots of land in downtown Indianapolis, including the E.F. Claypool block across from the Claypool Hotel, which he bought for $350 and sold to E.F. Claypool for $52,000 in 1872. George Norwood was a wagon maker with a shop on the northwest corner of Washington Street and Capitol Avenue. He served several terms on the town council. He died in 1880 at the age of 93.
In his teens, Elbert Norwood worked as a carrier boy for the Indianapolis Journal. In his later years he was often called upon for historical information about Indianapolis. He had listened to speeches of Henry Clay, John C. Freemont, Abraham Lincoln, and Andrew Johnson when they came to Indianapolis, and remembered when Andrew Jackson came to town to attend a barbecue. The Norwood family knew all the early governors of Indiana from David Wallace to Oliver P. Morton. Elbert Norwood died 4 October 1918 at the home of his daughter Ida and his son-in-law H. E. Weaver, at 510 E. 22 nd Street. He is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.
Ida Culley Norwood (born ca. 1867) married Henry “Harry” E. Weaver (born ca. 1861 in England) on 23 December 1885 in the home of her parents at 316 College Avenue in Indianapolis. Their children included a daughter, Mary (born ca. 1887, later Mrs. Henry Hammer of Chicago), and a son, Norwood Weaver (born ca. 1890). Norwood graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis in 1908 before attending Lake Forest College. At the time of the 1920 census, Harry and Ida Weaver were with Norwood, his wife Blanche, and their daughter Elizabeth in Westchester County, New York. Norwood was a vice president of an advertising company.
Judge William D. Rooker (born 1792 in Tennessee) was the son of William Rooker (born ca. 1755 in London, England) who was a soldier of the American Revolution. Judge William D. Rooker was the grandfather of Dr. James I. Rooker (born ca. 1834) of Castleton, Indiana. Thomas N. Rooker (born 1 December 1815 in Hudson, New York) lived in Brooklyn, New York at the time of the 1870 census with Laura A. Rooker. His occupation at that time was listed as printer. A note that accompanied the collection states “Judge Rooker was I believe a brother of Mary Ann Rooker who married Geo. W. Norwood. Thos. Rooker was his son? He was an editor on Horace Greeley’s paper and visited Indpls. in the 1890’s.”
The Marion County Seminary was founded in 1832 and opened its building on University Square in September 1834. It was known throughout central Indiana for its nearly collegiate quality curriculum and for a noteworthy roster of alumni whose members engaged in promoting public education. The seminary later became the high school of the public school system (established in 1853), and the building was used until 1859, before its demolition in 1860.
The Second Presbyterian Church is one of Indianapolis’s oldest churches, officially organized on 19 November 1838. Henry Ward Beecher was its first pastor, serving 1839–1847. David V. Culley was given much credit for bringing Beecher to Indianapolis from Lawrenceburg, Indiana. This collection includes a photograph of “Uncle Davy Culley.” Beecher delivered his first sermon for the church in a lecture room of the Marion County Seminary at the northeast corner of Meridian and New York streets.
Sources:
Items from the collection, including an obituary from the Indianapolis Star dated 5 October 1918, an article from the Indianapolis News dated 25 March 1908, an article from the Sunday Star dated 15 October 1911, and an unidentified newspaper clipping from ca. 1911–12.
Elsmere, Jane Shaffer. Henry Ward Beecher: The Indiana Years, 1837–1847. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1973. Reference Room Collection: BX7260.B3 E47 1973
Isley, William L., Jr. “Second Presbyterian Church.” In The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, edited by Bodenhamer, David J. and Robert G. Barrows. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 1994: 1246–47. General Collection: F534 .I55 E4 1994
Nugent, Helen Jean McClelland, John M. Gray, and Tamara D. King. “Schools, Private.” In The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, edited by Bodenhamer, David J. and Robert G. Barrows. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 1994: 1233. General Collection: F534 .I55 E4 1994
U.S. Census, 1870, 1910, and 1920 (http://www.heritagequestonline.com). Accessed 7 July 2005.
This collection contains items pertaining to the Elbert Norwood family of Indianapolis, including items relating to other people, most of whom seem to have been relatives, but others may have been friends. The collection is divided into eight series.
Series 1, Individual Portraits: This series consists of cartes-de-visite, cabinet cards, and tintypes of Elbert F. Norwood, his daughter Ida, her husband Harry Weaver, and other relatives and/or friends. There is a total of seventeen portraits.
Series 2, Photographs of Groups: This series includes a photograph of a 1900 school class, possibly a Second Presbyterian Church Sunday school class. Also included are two photographs that appear to be of Norwood family reunion gatherings, in 1904 and 1905.
Series 3, Newspaper Clippings: This series contains clippings from 1908 and 1911 about Elbert Norwood’s memories of Indianapolis’s early days, and his 1918 obituary. There is also a short clipping about his grandson, Norwood Weaver, from ca. 1912.
Series 4, Pencil Sketches of Houses: This series consists of four drawings, one of which is of a house attached to what may be George Norwood’s wagon shop. There are two drawings of another house, one of which has “Mrs. H.E. Weaver (Norwood)” written on the back of it; the other is labeled “1832.” Another drawing shows a two-story log structure with a second-floor walkway to nearby house.
Series 5, Wedding Invitations: This series contains an invitation to the wedding of Ida Norwood and Henry [“Harry”] Weaver on 23 December 1885 and what appears to be an invitation to the wedding of Jennie Jones and H. M. Foltz on 9 May (no year given).
Series 6, Dance Cards: This series consists of dance cards for two Washington’s Birthday dances, in 1860 and 1861, held at Masonic Hall in Indianapolis.
Series 7, Marion County Seminary Boys Reunions: This series includes a page of lyrics titled Songs of the Seminary Boys, a program for the second annual reunion in 1879, and a ribbon from the 1880 reunion.
Series 8, Other Printed Items: This series contains three issues of a children’s Sunday school leaflet, The Little Folks Paper, published in 1898. Also included are three color-printed cards showing scenes with children.
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Elbert F. Norwood: cabinet card photo in his later years (photo by J.H. Clark, Indianapolis, n.d.). |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 1 |
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Ida Norwood: four cartes-de-visite—baby identified as “Ida Norwood?” (n.d.); as a young girl (photo by Mendenhall, Indianapolis, n.d.); one as an older girl (photo by W.J. & J.A. Schroy, Indianapolis, n.d.); one cabinet card (photo by Wager & Overland, Indianapolis, 1884). |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 2 |
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Harry E. Weaver: cabinet card photo, age 22 (photo by Judkins, Indianapolis, 11 March 1883); calling card with small tintype portrait attached to it (n.d.). |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 3 |
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Judge William D. Rooker: cabinet card photo in his later years (photo by The Windsor [studio], Brooklyn, N.Y., n.d.). Thomas N. Rooker: cabinet card (photo by Kensington Art Studio, Brooklyn, N.Y., 18 October 1890). |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 4 |
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Cartes-de-visite portraits of other relatives/friends: “Great great Grand Mother Culley” (photo by Davies & Merritt, Indianapolis, n.d.). “Aunt Louise Jones” (photo by Mendenhall, Indianapolis, n.d.). Julia Evans (note on back states “I don’t know her connection if any with Norwoods”) (n.d.). “Aunt Maria Bird / Daughter of George and Mary Norwood” (photo by Potter, Indianapolis, n.d.). “Uncle Davy Culley” (photo by D.R. Clark, Indianapolis, n.d.). |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 5 |
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Cabinet card portraits of other relatives/friends: Jennie Foltz (photo by J.H. Clark, Indianapolis, n.d.). Sallie Norwood Pope (note on back states “Daughter of Axley? Norwood cousin of my grandfather”) (photo by Harrod’s Studio, Indianapolis, n.d.). |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 5 |
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Tintype of “Geo. Catterson who married Lizzie Norwood” shows a child in a dress and hat holding a picnic basket and jug (n.d.). |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 5 |
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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“Class of 1900 / No. 11” (Indianapolis, ca. 1900). Mounted photograph shows group of students outside of a brick building. Names written on back include: Lilian Clark, Ethel Cox, Bessie Bacon, Marie Weaver, Ona Chillson, Madelein Fauvre, Lydia Haines, Grace Christian, Florence Latham, Grace Gibbons, Florene Thomas, Rena Weiler, Brownie Wallace, Ruth Secor, Miss Graydon, Miss Stillwell, Laura Potter, Pansy Hall, Mary Parrot, Beatrix Spohr, Theodore Stempfle, Shirley Hendrix, James Quinn, Bennet Gates, Garvin Brown, Norman Philips, Paul Weir, Sumner Clancey, Clifford Harold, Harold Mauzy, Edward Kriel, Isaac Hall, Walter Curtis, Allan Burke, Blaine Batton, Robert Cruse, Fred Schulmeyer. Note with photograph states “2nd Presbyt. Church Sunday School Room / pix of Henry Cully(ey) one of first educators in town.” |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 6 |
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Mounted photograph of group gathered outside of a building (ca. 1904). A note found with photo identifies: James Norwood’s daughters, Marie Weaver (Homer), Ann Eliza Norwood Hilt, Harry Hawkins(?), Maude Hawkins(? or Beth), Bob Hawkins, Harry Eddy, Hattie Eddy, Elbert Norwood, Aura Norwood (Geo Norwood of Lebanon wife), Grace Norwood (daughter), Blanche Norwood (daughter), Sally Pope, Mattie (Martha) List (wife of Theodore), Ida Norwood Weaver, Norwood Weaver, List boys, George Pope, James Norwood, Harry Weaver, John Johns, Frank Bird, Axley Norwood, John Norwood (Ralph’s father), George Norwood of Lebanon, Theodore Norwood, Ida Johns. Appears to be a family reunion gathering. |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 6 |
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Mounted photograph of group gathered outside of the same or similar building as in photo described immediately above (ca. 1905). A note found with photo identifies: Dr. Thomas Rodman (Fowler), James Norwood, Marie Weaver, Hazel Norwood, Sally Pope, George Pope. Many more people unidentified. Appears to be a family reunion gathering. |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 6 |
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“Talks of Indianapolis of the Early Thirties / Elbert F. Norwood Born Here Seventy-Eight Years Ago / Lived on State House Site.” From Indianapolis News, 25 March 1908. |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 7 |
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“Oldest Native Born Resident of City Tells Remarkable Story of Its Growth / Recalls Purchase of Block Store Site for $300---Plowed Corn Near Union Station.” From Sunday Star, 15 October 1911. |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 7 |
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“‘Dick’ Norwood, Pioneer, Is Dead / Born on Site of State Capitol and Had Wonderful Memory for Old-Time Events.” From Indianapolis Star, 5 October 1918. |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 7 |
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Small clipping from unknown newspaper source (ca. 1911–12) states: “Norwood Weaver, son of H. E. Weaver, 2110 Ashland avenue, a graduate of the class of 1908 of Shortridge high school, won first prize in the discussion contest held recently among the various classes at Lake Forest college, in which he is a senior. He was one of the five who received the highest grades of his class in the last term, his name being published in the honor roll.” |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 7 |
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Drawing shows the side of a three- or four-story building with smaller one-story building attached in back. The smaller building has the name Norwood on it and there are wagon wheels leaning against the outside of it. A tree and a few animals appear beside the larger building. This drawing is signed by Christian Schroder (approx. 4 ¾” x 7 ½”). |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 8 |
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Two drawings of the same house with two chimneys, four trees, a fence, and two animals outside of it. Small drawing on textured paper has “Third Brick House” (?) or “Third Brink House” (?) written below picture (approx. 5 ¼” x 6 ½”). Larger drawing has “1832” written below picture, and “Mrs. H.E. Weaver (Norwood)” written on back (approx. 7 ½” x 9”). |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 8 |
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Drawing on textured paper shows two-story log structure with second-floor walkway to nearby house, two trees, fence in background (approx. 6 ½” x 5 ¼”). |
Photographs, Box 1, Folder 8 |
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Printed invitation on thick card stock in two pieces, reads: “Mr and Mrs E. F. Norwood / request your presence at the marriage of / their daughter, / Ida, / to / Henry Weaver / Wednesday Evening, December 23d, / at eight o’clock, / at their residence, 316 College Avenue, / Indianapolis, Ind. / 1885.” With envelope. |
Ephemera: 0000.0413 |
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Four cards: 1) “Strange Chapel, / Indianapolis, / Wednesday, May 9th, at 7 P. M.” 2) “Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Jones, / at home, / Wednesday, May 9th, at 7:30 P. M.” 3) “Jennie Jones.” 4) “H. M. Foltz.” The third and fourth cards are tied together with a remnant of a ribbon. |
Ephemera: 0000.0413 |
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An envelope with interlocked initials embossed on the back flap that read either “CH” or “HC” (?) with a ribbon tied in a small bow beneath the initials. |
Ephemera: 0000.0413 |
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Small folded card with light blue-green ribbon attached, with program for the National Guards Annual Levee, Tuesday evening, 21 February 1860 in memory of George Washington, held at Masonic Hall in Indianapolis. Committee members are listed on the cover; inside dances such as quadrilles, waltzes, polkas, schottisches, mazurkas, etc. are listed. A few names and initials are written in by dance numbers. |
Ephemera: 0000.0413 |
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Four small cards tied together with frayed red ribbon, with program for “Washington’s Birth Day Party / by the / City Greys, / At Masonic Hall, / February 22d, 1861.” Second card lists dances such as quadrilles, schottisches, waltzes, and polkas, and a mazurka. Back of third card has a few names written in by dance numbers. Back of fourth card lists committee members. |
Ephemera: 0000.0413 |
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Onionskin page titled Songs of the Seminary Boys with lyrics to: “Opening Hymn,” “Ship, Ahoy!,” “Away with Melancholy,” “When the Day with Rosy Light,” “Scotland’s Burning,” “Auld Lang Syne,” and “Parting Song,” n.d. |
Broadsides: 1870s |
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Program for “Marion County Seminary Boys, / Second Annual Reunion / Tuesday, September / 30th, 1879” (Calvin Fletcher, president). |
Printed Collections: |
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Dark gold-colored ribbon with the words “Seminary Boys / REUNION / 1880.” |
Artifacts: R 0904 |
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Three issues of children’s Sunday school leaflet, The Little Folks Paper, published by Jesse H. Leonard, Albany, N.Y., from volume XIII, dated 1898. |
Printed Collections: |
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Three small color-printed cards: one shows children playing; one shows an angel above a girl crying by a grave marked by a cross; the other shows children ice skating. n.d. |
Ephemera: 0000.0413 |
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