* From "The Grant Chief" Newspaper April 27, 1916 Prominent Citizen Is Called Home John Parks Norcross John Parks Norcross, one of Montgomery County's oldest and most esteemed citizens, died of cancer of the stomach at 2:30 o'clock on Thursday, April 20, at his home in Grant after an illness of four months.
The funeral was held the Methodist church in Grant at 2:30 o'clock on Sunday afternoon; Rev. C. F. Smith having charge of the services. Those in attendance from Red Oak were Mr. and Mrs. George Logan, Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Ogden, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ogden, F. E. Crandall and W. M. Apple. The following account of the life of Mr. Norcross was read at the funeral: "John Parker Norcross was born in Warren County, Ill., April 16, 1850 and departed this life at his late home In Grant, April 20, 1916, at the age of 66 years and 4 days. He came to Montgomery County, Iowa when he was 21 years old and settled on a farm three miles southeast of Grant where he lived continuously for 43 years. One year ago last October he retired from the farm to his late home in Grant. "Mr. Norcross was twice united marriage. His first wife was Miss Sarah Mosier who, with a baby boy, died in 1877. In March 1878, he was married to Miss Nannie M. Logan, who survives him. To this union were born three children: Mrs. Miriam Ogden of Red Oak, R. H. Norcross of Grant and Mrs. Blanche Conrad of Grant. All his family was at his bedside when the final summon came. He was the beloved grandfather of Wayne and Glen Conrad and Lloyd, Donald and Basil Norcross, Mary and John Ogden. Two sisters and two brothers mourn his departure. They are Mrs. Maggie Worden of Roseville, Ill., Mrs. Mary Thompson of Monmouth, Ill., George Norcross of Roseville, Ill., and Charlie of Grant. Mr. Norcross was a man of Intelligence, having attended college at Monmouth, Ill., and also taught school for sometime. He was public spirited, widely and favorably known. He stood at the head of all forward movements for the benefit of the community. He was unusually active along lines of life, and his activities were an inspiration to the neighborhood in which he lived. The same spirit that made him eminently successful in his business life also predominated in his religious life. While in health he was a regular attendant upon the means of Grace and gave freely both of time and money for his Master's cause. He united with the M. E. church in 1877 and passed away a member of the same church, in the passing of John P. Norcross the family loses a loved one whose going will be keenly felt, and the community a friend whose place will not be easily filled. He was an Ideal citizen in every sense of the word and it may truly be said he left this world a better place for his having lived in it." The pall bearers at the funeral were 0. S., Donald, Geo. Carey. L. D. Stinemates, L. W. Pogue. Wm. Kreger and M. M. McCue, and those who sang were Mr. McClain, L. C. Schuler, Mrs. L. W. Pogue and Mrs. A Henry Bryson-