1. Philetus Walter Norris was an American pioneer, businessman, Union Army officer and politician who was the second superintendent of Yellowstone National Park and was the first person to be paid for that position.
19 Facts About Philetus Norris
1. 2.
Philetus Norris fought in the Civil War, served as a spy behind Confederate lines, and rose to the rank of colonel.
3.
Philetus Norris was elected to the Ohio Legislature and founded the town of Norris in Wayne County, where he ran a real estate business.
4.
Philetus Walter Norris was born in Palmyra, New York on August 17,1821, the son of John Norris, Jr.
5.
Philetus Norris's father was a pioneer mill-builder, and had fought in the War of 1812.
6.
John Norris fell ill, and Philetus was forced to help his mother support their rather large family.
7.
Philetus Norris traveled all around the midwest to trap and trade.
8.
In 1838, Norris settled in northwest Ohio near the home of a good friend.
9.
In 1845, Norris married Jane K Cottrell of Fayette, Ohio.
10.
In Pioneer, Philetus Norris built a steam mill and worked as a land agent.
11.
Philetus Norris served as a spy behind Confederate Lines and Captain of the West Virginia Mountain Scouts.
12.
Philetus Norris lived there for a few years until he built a nearby house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
13.
Philetus Norris recruited the railroad to run through the area and maintained the plank road that ran between Detroit and Mount Clemens, operating a tollbooth located in the village.
14.
In 1870, Philetus Norris again traveled west, entering the Yellowstone Park area; he returned again in 1875.
15.
In 1877, Philetus Norris became the second superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, a position he held until 1882.
16.
When Philetus Norris arrived in 1877 there were approximately 32 miles of roads and 108 miles of trails.
17.
Philetus Norris was removed from his post at Yellowstone in 1882 due to political maneuvering.
18.
In 1885, Philetus Norris fell ill in Rocky Hill, Kentucky, while working for the Smithsonian.
19.
Philetus Norris was buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit three days later, and shortly thereafter his body was moved to Woodmere Cemetery.