Oliver Norval

Oliver Norval Noteworthy among the substantial citizens and men of industry of Fulton County, and who is identified with it as one active in all enterprises calculated to advance and benefit the county, is the subject of this notice. He is engaged in the occupation of a farmer and largely interested in the growing and breeding of stock, Short-horn cattle being among the better grades. His present homestead s on section 1, in Young Hickory Township, and its attractive and pleasant appearance indicates that good fortune has smiled upon his efforts.

           Oliver Norval was born in North Carolina, Feb. 26, 1807, and came to Illinois April 26, 1836, locating in Knox County.  There he remained for one year, then moved across the line to Fulton County, his present home.  His marriage, which was celebrated with Miss Pollie Dunn, a native of North Carolina, Feb. 15, 1829, was blest with seven children, as follows: Charity, Betsy A., James H., John H., Cornelius, Drusilla, and Oliver, who died in infancy.  Mrs. Norval was born in 1809, and died May 29, 1842, in early womanhood, departing this life at the early age of 33.        

His second matrimonial connection was with Mary J. Sampson, a native of Maryland, and was celebrated Feb. 29, 1844. She came with her parents to Illinois in 1835, at the age of 11, the date of her birth being Nov. 14, 1824. She was the oldest child of her father’s family, consisting of 11, one of whom died in infancy. The children of Mrs. Norval bear the following names: Samuel, born June 14, 1845; Theophilus, Aug. 26, 1847; Richard S., Oct. 18, 1849; William O., Sept. 15, 1851; Mary J. and Joseph (twins) April 15 1857; Jesse C., July 21, 1859; Rebecca, April 10, 1861; Haney, May 2 1862; Julia A., May 2, 1864; and Margaret E., Sept. 5, 1866. Those deceased are Samuel, Rebecca, Joseph, Haney and Julia A.
Mrs. Norval is of English ancestry, and her husband is of Scotch lineage. He has been prospered in his worldly undertakings and is at the present time in possession of 385 acres of land, all of which is in a high state of cultivation, well improved and valuable. He owns a herd of 40 head of Short-horn cattle, his favorite breed of stock. He has given undivided attention to their improvement and has continued in that branch of industry for a period of 25 years. He bought his first male of Peter Godfrey, of Knox County, which is a handsome and valuable animal.

           Mr. Norval and family are active workers in every good cause and are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, adopting veritable the “good old religion.”  They are warm admirers of the doctrines of faith as held up to the people by the old pioneer minister of the time, Richard Haney, of Monmouth, Mr. Norval being baptized by him, together with five of his children.  He is a man who figures actively in church work, has been Class Leader for about 40 years and also Steward in the church to which he belongs.  He always speaks when moved by that emotion, which bids him honor the Mater to whom he has rendered loving allegiance an entire lifetime, and his efforts, are always for good.  In politics he is a stanch Republican, and is true to his principles as strongly in the minor duties of life as in the greater ones.  He is the grandfather of 27 children and has three great-grandchildren.  William, one of the sons, is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, his labors being in the State of Nebraska; Theophilus, another son, is District Judge in the same State.  Richard is counselor at law, and Benjamin F. follows the same profession.  They graduated at Ann Arbor, Mich., and have shown themselves worthy of both the father a mother they honor by those attributes, which constitute nobility of soul and true manhood.  They have proven that “a dutiful son is a crown to his father.”  The father of Oliver Norval, by name Theophilus, and his grandfather Solomon Norval, were born in Scotland.