In 1871 John Norman, aged 20, born in St. Athan Glamorgansh., wheelwright, was with his parents in Cowbridge [Road], Canton Glamorgan.
In 1881 John Norman, aged 30, born in St. Athan, Glamorgan, wheelwright employing 5 men & 3 boys, and wife Lavinia Norman, aged 24, born in Swansea, were living in Market St., Llandaff, Glamorgan. Present was daughter Esther (5 months) of Cardiff. John's parents were living nextdoor.
In 1891 John Norman, aged 40, born in St. Athan, Glamorgan, coachbuilder, and wife Lavinia Norman, aged 34, born in Swansea, were living at 282 Cowbridge Rd., Canton, Glamorgan. With them were children (born in Swansea): Esther (10), Lavinia (9), and born in Cardiff: John (7), scholar, Frank (5), scholar, Archibald (4), scholar, Kate (2).
In 1901 John Norman, aged 50, born in St. Athan, Glamorgan, master coachbuilder, and wife Lavinia Norman, aged 44, born in Swansea, were living at 1 Market Rd., Canton, Glamorgan. With them were children (born in Cardiff): Ettie (20), coachbuilder's clerk, Lavinia (19), assistant housekeeper, John (17), coachbuilder's clerk, Frank (15), coach[builder's] apprentice, Archibald (13), Edith (7).
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John Norman died aged 52 years. 2
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Tragic Death of Councillor John Norman.
PAINFUL SCENE AT CARDIFF CHAPEL.
We regret to announce the death, which occurred with tragic suddenly on Monday evening, of Councillor John Norman, of Canton. The sad event took place at Conway-road Wesleyan Chapel, of which deceased was a prominent member. The annual home missionary meeting was held that evening, and an address had been given by the Rev. W. E. Sellars. Mr. Harper (the Cardiff borough engineer) occupied the chair, and he was supported on the platform by the Rev. Bourne Jones, Rev. W. R. Riss, Rev. Ernest Pratt, Councillor F. J. Beavan, Mr. M. P. Diamond, and the deceased gentleman. At the close of the address, and after the collection had been taken, Councillor Beavan moved a vote of thanks to the speaker and to the chairman, and called upon Mr. John Norman to second. This the deceased gentleman did briefly but happily, and without any apparent excitement. A hymn (734) was then given out, and during the singing of the second verse, which has now a pathetic interest, Mr. Norman was observed to clutch the balustrade. Before, however, many on the platform were aware of it, he tottered and fell under the balustrade on to the floor below, a distance of some four feet, alighting heavily on his head. Mr. F. J. Beavan, who noticed Mr. Norman staggering, tried to save him from falling, but the effort was too late. Several members rushed forward to render assistance, and thinking he was seized with a fit they treated him accordingly, and removed him to the open air. Medical aid was immediately summoned, and Dr. James Mullin and Dr. W. M. Price, Llandaff-road, arrived promptly, but it was seen at once that life was extinct. The body was taken to the vestry and subsequently removed home. Death is attributed to heart failure. Deceased was a diabetic subject, and was of late painfully alive to the presence of that insidious malady, and was undergoing treatment for it. Only that day he had taken part in the discussion at the Tramways Committee in the Corporation Chamber.
Biographical Details.
The late Councillor Norman was a Glamorganshire man, having been born in the Vale, not far from Llanwit Major, and for many years he lived there, being greatly respected and beloved in that district. Subsequently he came to reside in Cardiff. His large and continuously extending business as a coachbuilder brought him into association with a very wide circle, particularly of the agricultural class, with whose requirements, owing to his early experience in the Vale of Glamorgan, he was specially conversant. He was generally regarded throughout the West of England and South Wales as an expert in his particular line of business. The death of Councillor Norman is a material loss to the Cardiff ratepayers, for as a councillor he brought expert knowledge to bear upon certain branches of the Corporation's work, such as is possessed by no other member of the Corporation. An unassuming man, he never put himself into undue prominence, and his high sense of rectitude with a trained capacity for business made him one of the most esteemed members of the Corporation. He had been for many years a prominent member of the Wesleyan body, taking an active part in its different organisations. In this connection he was the senior circuit steward of the Conway-road Society, and had acted as a lay representative to the Wesleyan Conference. He was an active member of the Cardiff Free Church Council. In 1900 Councillor Norman was returned as a member for Canton on the Cardiff Council, defeating his opponent, Mr. Francis, by 122 votes. Throughout his career he was an active politician, sustaining the Liberal cause in the western division of the town both by personal service and regular contribution to the party funds. Although it is only of late years that he has entered the Council, the omission was entirely due to his own wishes, for he was frequently invited to stand for one or other of the wards, and he had a practical certainty of being returned had he at any time chosen to comply with these requests. His compliance finally in this connection was made notwithstanding the fact that he had so long been in unfavourable health, and it is evidence of his willingness to serve the Liberal cause that he should, since his recovery from serious illness, have acceded to the request which won back for Canton Liberals the command of the seat, and this at a time when, contrary to present experience, the whole of the three seats had been held by the opposition party. Deceased leaves a widow and six children, with whom the deepest sympathy is felt. What adds to the tragic sadness of his death is the fact that Mrs. Norman and some members of the family were present at the chapel when death occurred.
South Wales Daily News, Tuesday, 17 Feb 1903, p. 5
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John Norman of "Charlton" 92 Llandaff-road, Cardiff, coachbuilder, died 16 February 1903. Probate granted at Llandaff 8 April to Lavinia Norman, widow. Effects £9552 11s. 2d. 3
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