Walter James NORRIS was born 10 February 1897 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. He was the second child of Fannie RYAN Norris and Joseph NORRIS. Walter's family, including his grandmother, Hannah RYAN Ryan, lived in both Pittsburgh and Allegheny City until early 1901. On 30 January 1901, Walter's father was hired as the first and only policeman in Glassport, Allegheny, PA. Joseph NORRIS had a notable career as a policeman, and eventually police chief, until he became ill in late 1905 or early 1906. By June 1906, Joseph NORRIS was dead, and Walter's mother, Fannie, was forced to place Walter and two of his siblings, Lavina and George, in St. Paul's Orphanage, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. Walter lived at the orphanage until 1908 when he was released, on 15 July 1908, to the care of his mother.
In 1910, 13 year-old Walter, living with his mother and stepfather, Mike KEPPLE, was employed as a wagon driver. It is likely that Walter worked for his uncle, Enoch NORRIS. Enoch, who, in 1910, lived near the KEPPLES on the South Side, owned his own wagon and hauled boxes for a living.
A year later, on 10 July 1911, Walter's mother, Fannie, died, having suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis. Walter, now age fourteen, was left to his own resources.
It is assumed that Walter continued to live with his stepfather, Mike KEPPLE, until his marriage to Hildur Constance JOHNSON on 26 December 1916 in Wellsburg, Brooke, WV. Since Walter and Hildur were both underage, they adjusted their ages so that marriage, without parental consent, in WV, was possible.
Walter and Hildur lived for a short time in Grafton, Taylor, WV, where Walter was employed as a glass worker at Tygant Vac Glass Company, Grafton, Taylor, WV. While in WV, Walter registered for the draft on 5 June 1917, but was not called. On 13 February 1918, Walter's first child, Kenneth Edward, was born in WV. Soon after the birth of Kenneth, the family returned to McKeesport, Allegheny, PA, where in the 1920 census enumeration, Walter, Hildur, Kenneth, and Walter James, Jr., who was born in McKeesport, Allegheny, PA on 18 August 1919, resided with Hildur's parents, Benedikta and Johannes JOHNSON. Walter was enumerated as laborer in a steel mill in the 1920 census.
Between 1920 and 1925, Walter, Hildur, Kenneth, Walter, Jr., and Carl Melvin, born 23 Dec 1922, continued to live in McKeesport, Allegheny, PA where the family attended Tabor Lutheran Church. In the 1922 McKeesport City Directory, Walter's occupation was listed as a burner and his residence was on River Avenue.
While residing in McKessport, in the early 1920s, Walter found employment at Pressed Steel Car Company in McKees Rocks, Allegheny, PA, a manufacturer of streetcars and railroad cars. It is presumed that Walter learned to burn and weld at this company and that Frank SCHULLER, husband of Walter's sister, Lavina, was instrumental in securing his employment. Frank SCHULLER was a watchman (guard) at Pressed Steel during this time period. Walter commuted between McKeesport and McKees Rocks for a time, but in late 1925, the family moved from Soles Street in McKeesport to McKees Rocks, where son, Kenneth, attended third grade.
In 1926, Walter moved his family to Clairton, Allegheny, PA. Walter was employed as a welder at U. S. Steel Clairton Works, and remained there until his retirement. On 24 May 1928, son, Donald Dewayne, was born, and on 25 February 1932, daughter, Ruth Ann, was born. The family resided at various locations in the Wilson District of Clairton over the next 40 years.
Sons, Walter and Melvin, served in the armed forces during Word War II. Walter's children married between 1938 and 1950 and ten grandchildren were born between 1942 and 1960.
On 28 December 1963, Walter lost his companion of 47 years, wife, Hildur. Walter died on 17 June 1967 in Crown Point, Lake, IN. Walter and Hildur are buried in Jefferson Memorial Park, Pleasant Hills, Allegheny, PA.
In 1910, 13 year-old Walter, living with his mother and stepfather, Mike KEPPLE, was employed as a wagon driver. It is likely that Walter worked for his uncle, Enoch NORRIS. Enoch, who, in 1910, lived near the KEPPLES on the South Side, owned his own wagon and hauled boxes for a living.
A year later, on 10 July 1911, Walter's mother, Fannie, died, having suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis. Walter, now age fourteen, was left to his own resources.
It is assumed that Walter continued to live with his stepfather, Mike KEPPLE, until his marriage to Hildur Constance JOHNSON on 26 December 1916 in Wellsburg, Brooke, WV. Since Walter and Hildur were both underage, they adjusted their ages so that marriage, without parental consent, in WV, was possible.
Walter and Hildur lived for a short time in Grafton, Taylor, WV, where Walter was employed as a glass worker at Tygant Vac Glass Company, Grafton, Taylor, WV. While in WV, Walter registered for the draft on 5 June 1917, but was not called. On 13 February 1918, Walter's first child, Kenneth Edward, was born in WV. Soon after the birth of Kenneth, the family returned to McKeesport, Allegheny, PA, where in the 1920 census enumeration, Walter, Hildur, Kenneth, and Walter James, Jr., who was born in McKeesport, Allegheny, PA on 18 August 1919, resided with Hildur's parents, Benedikta and Johannes JOHNSON. Walter was enumerated as laborer in a steel mill in the 1920 census.
Between 1920 and 1925, Walter, Hildur, Kenneth, Walter, Jr., and Carl Melvin, born 23 Dec 1922, continued to live in McKeesport, Allegheny, PA where the family attended Tabor Lutheran Church. In the 1922 McKeesport City Directory, Walter's occupation was listed as a burner and his residence was on River Avenue.
While residing in McKessport, in the early 1920s, Walter found employment at Pressed Steel Car Company in McKees Rocks, Allegheny, PA, a manufacturer of streetcars and railroad cars. It is presumed that Walter learned to burn and weld at this company and that Frank SCHULLER, husband of Walter's sister, Lavina, was instrumental in securing his employment. Frank SCHULLER was a watchman (guard) at Pressed Steel during this time period. Walter commuted between McKeesport and McKees Rocks for a time, but in late 1925, the family moved from Soles Street in McKeesport to McKees Rocks, where son, Kenneth, attended third grade.
In 1926, Walter moved his family to Clairton, Allegheny, PA. Walter was employed as a welder at U. S. Steel Clairton Works, and remained there until his retirement. On 24 May 1928, son, Donald Dewayne, was born, and on 25 February 1932, daughter, Ruth Ann, was born. The family resided at various locations in the Wilson District of Clairton over the next 40 years.
Sons, Walter and Melvin, served in the armed forces during Word War II. Walter's children married between 1938 and 1950 and ten grandchildren were born between 1942 and 1960.
On 28 December 1963, Walter lost his companion of 47 years, wife, Hildur. Walter died on 17 June 1967 in Crown Point, Lake, IN. Walter and Hildur are buried in Jefferson Memorial Park, Pleasant Hills, Allegheny, PA.
Walter James NORRIS was born 10 February 1897 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. He was the second child of Fannie RYAN Norris and Joseph NORRIS. Walter's family, including his grandmother, Hannah RYAN Ryan, lived in both Pittsburgh and Allegheny City until early 1901. On 30 January 1901, Walter's father was hired as the first and only policeman in Glassport, Allegheny, PA. Joseph NORRIS had a notable career as a policeman, and eventually police chief, until he became ill in late 1905 or early 1906. By June 1906, Joseph NORRIS was dead, and Walter's mother, Fannie, was forced to place Walter and two of his siblings, Lavina and George, in St. Paul's Orphanage, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. Walter lived at the orphanage until 1908 when he was released, on 15 July 1908, to the care of his mother.
In 1910, 13 year-old Walter, living with his mother and stepfather, Mike KEPPLE, was employed as a wagon driver. It is likely that Walter worked for his uncle, Enoch NORRIS. Enoch, who, in 1910, lived near the KEPPLES on the South Side, owned his own wagon and hauled boxes for a living.
A year later, on 10 July 1911, Walter's mother, Fannie, died, having suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis. Walter, now age fourteen, was left to his own resources.
It is assumed that Walter continued to live with his stepfather, Mike KEPPLE, until his marriage to Hildur Constance JOHNSON on 26 December 1916 in Wellsburg, Brooke, WV. Since Walter and Hildur were both underage, they adjusted their ages so that marriage, without parental consent, in WV, was possible.
Walter and Hildur lived for a short time in Grafton, Taylor, WV, where Walter was employed as a glass worker at Tygant Vac Glass Company, Grafton, Taylor, WV. While in WV, Walter registered for the draft on 5 June 1917, but was not called. On 13 February 1918, Walter's first child, Kenneth Edward, was born in WV. Soon after the birth of Kenneth, the family returned to McKeesport, Allegheny, PA, where in the 1920 census enumeration, Walter, Hildur, Kenneth, and Walter James, Jr., who was born in McKeesport, Allegheny, PA on 18 August 1919, resided with Hildur's parents, Benedikta and Johannes JOHNSON. Walter was enumerated as laborer in a steel mill in the 1920 census.
Between 1920 and 1925, Walter, Hildur, Kenneth, Walter, Jr., and Carl Melvin, born 23 Dec 1922, continued to live in McKeesport, Allegheny, PA where the family attended Tabor Lutheran Church. In the 1922 McKeesport City Directory, Walter's occupation was listed as a burner and his residence was on River Avenue.
While residing in McKessport, in the early 1920s, Walter found employment at Pressed Steel Car Company in McKees Rocks, Allegheny, PA, a manufacturer of streetcars and railroad cars. It is presumed that Walter learned to burn and weld at this company and that Frank SCHULLER, husband of Walter's sister, Lavina, was instrumental in securing his employment. Frank SCHULLER was a watchman (guard) at Pressed Steel during this time period. Walter commuted between McKeesport and McKees Rocks for a time, but in late 1925, the family moved from Soles Street in McKeesport to McKees Rocks, where son, Kenneth, attended third grade.
In 1926, Walter moved his family to Clairton, Allegheny, PA. Walter was employed as a welder at U. S. Steel Clairton Works, and remained there until his retirement. On 24 May 1928, son, Donald Dewayne, was born, and on 25 February 1932, daughter, Ruth Ann, was born. The family resided at various locations in the Wilson District of Clairton over the next 40 years.
Sons, Walter and Melvin, served in the armed forces during Word War II. Walter's children married between 1938 and 1950 and ten grandchildren were born between 1942 and 1960.
On 28 December 1963, Walter lost his companion of 47 years, wife, Hildur. Walter died on 17 June 1967 in Crown Point, Lake, IN. Walter and Hildur are buried in Jefferson Memorial Park, Pleasant Hills, Allegheny, PA.
In 1910, 13 year-old Walter, living with his mother and stepfather, Mike KEPPLE, was employed as a wagon driver. It is likely that Walter worked for his uncle, Enoch NORRIS. Enoch, who, in 1910, lived near the KEPPLES on the South Side, owned his own wagon and hauled boxes for a living.
A year later, on 10 July 1911, Walter's mother, Fannie, died, having suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis. Walter, now age fourteen, was left to his own resources.
It is assumed that Walter continued to live with his stepfather, Mike KEPPLE, until his marriage to Hildur Constance JOHNSON on 26 December 1916 in Wellsburg, Brooke, WV. Since Walter and Hildur were both underage, they adjusted their ages so that marriage, without parental consent, in WV, was possible.
Walter and Hildur lived for a short time in Grafton, Taylor, WV, where Walter was employed as a glass worker at Tygant Vac Glass Company, Grafton, Taylor, WV. While in WV, Walter registered for the draft on 5 June 1917, but was not called. On 13 February 1918, Walter's first child, Kenneth Edward, was born in WV. Soon after the birth of Kenneth, the family returned to McKeesport, Allegheny, PA, where in the 1920 census enumeration, Walter, Hildur, Kenneth, and Walter James, Jr., who was born in McKeesport, Allegheny, PA on 18 August 1919, resided with Hildur's parents, Benedikta and Johannes JOHNSON. Walter was enumerated as laborer in a steel mill in the 1920 census.
Between 1920 and 1925, Walter, Hildur, Kenneth, Walter, Jr., and Carl Melvin, born 23 Dec 1922, continued to live in McKeesport, Allegheny, PA where the family attended Tabor Lutheran Church. In the 1922 McKeesport City Directory, Walter's occupation was listed as a burner and his residence was on River Avenue.
While residing in McKessport, in the early 1920s, Walter found employment at Pressed Steel Car Company in McKees Rocks, Allegheny, PA, a manufacturer of streetcars and railroad cars. It is presumed that Walter learned to burn and weld at this company and that Frank SCHULLER, husband of Walter's sister, Lavina, was instrumental in securing his employment. Frank SCHULLER was a watchman (guard) at Pressed Steel during this time period. Walter commuted between McKeesport and McKees Rocks for a time, but in late 1925, the family moved from Soles Street in McKeesport to McKees Rocks, where son, Kenneth, attended third grade.
In 1926, Walter moved his family to Clairton, Allegheny, PA. Walter was employed as a welder at U. S. Steel Clairton Works, and remained there until his retirement. On 24 May 1928, son, Donald Dewayne, was born, and on 25 February 1932, daughter, Ruth Ann, was born. The family resided at various locations in the Wilson District of Clairton over the next 40 years.
Sons, Walter and Melvin, served in the armed forces during Word War II. Walter's children married between 1938 and 1950 and ten grandchildren were born between 1942 and 1960.
On 28 December 1963, Walter lost his companion of 47 years, wife, Hildur. Walter died on 17 June 1967 in Crown Point, Lake, IN. Walter and Hildur are buried in Jefferson Memorial Park, Pleasant Hills, Allegheny, PA.
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