Isaac Newton Van Norman (died 1920, aged 58)

Deceased Brethren

Isaac Newton Van Norman (died 1920, aged 58) joined Temple Lodge, No.33 in 1912. His brother, Thomas Van Norman, was also a member of Temple Lodge, No.33, having affiliated with Temple Lodge, No.33 in 1912.

Here are some photos of Isaac Newton Van Norman, circa 1890, which we received from J. Wright, a Van Norman family member who is researching the family genealogy. These photos are reproduced here with permission.

Isaac Newton Van Norman, circa 1890 (photo courtesy of J. Wright. Private collection, used with permission)

J. Wright sent us this information about the van Norman family:

“The Van Norman line of Isaac Newton began in the Netherlands. Isaac’s great grandfather lived in Vermont and from there moved to Ontario in Frankfort and Peterborough. Isaac moved to Montreal to work for the “Grand Trunk Railway. He was a bridge engineer as was my Grandfather, Charles Kennedy Van Norman. Isaac’s first wife Francis McCarrell died in childbirth [in 1892. See photo below]. He moved to Cowichan to join his brother, Thomas Henry. It seems they lived a busy life spread amongst railway construction, farming and millwork. (Isaac ran the mill at Genoa Bay. He died young after a bout of appendicitis and suffered heart failure at Duncan hospital. His son was Charles Kennedy [Van Norman] who married Winnifred Mary Herd whose father, William I. Herd [note: Herd Road is named for the Herd family] was also involved in civic duties and farming. William was also a Mason [note: we have to confirm this. As far as we know, he was not a member of Temple Lodge No. 33] and also interred at Mountain View with his wife Susan.

Here is a brief biography of Isaac Newton Van Norman taken from his obituary in the Cowichan Leader newspaper:

“Van Norman—We regret to record that Mr. Isaac Newton Van Norman, one of the most respected residents of Duncan and well known throughout the district, passed away in his sleep at Duncan hospital at 6 a.m. on Monday. His death was due to heart failure and followed an operation on the preceding Thursday for acute appendicitis.

Francis Van Norman, first wife of Isaac Newton Van Norman, circa 1890 (photo courtesy of J. Wright. Private collection, used with permission)

He was born 58 years ago at Campbellford, Ontario, and educated at Hastings. He then moved with his parents to Peterborough, where he was first married. His wife died in 1892, leaving an infant son. Mr. Van Norman subsequently moved to Montreal. He was for some eighteen years foreman bridgeman on the Grand Trunk railway. He married again and, thirteen years ago, came to Duncan.

During his residence here he bought from the late Rev. David Holmes, property on Buena Vista Heights, which he subdivided. He personally constructed the road now known as Cairnsmore street. [note: Buena Vista Heights is the area on the north east of Cairnsmore Street. See map below.] He took a keen interest in civic affairs and, while he held no office, his honesty of purpose, keen insight and wide sympathy always commanded great respect. He worked at the building, lumbering and engineering trades and, when taken ill last Wednesday, was engineer at the Genoa Bay mill.

He leaves a widow and four children, Charles, Olive, Bessie and William; a sister, Mrs. Kindred, Belleville, Ont., and three brothers, Thomas and Frederick, of Duncan; and Jerry, of Peterborough.

The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, interment being at the Methodist burying ground, Somenos. The Rev. J. R. Butler officiated and Temple Lodge, No. 33 A. F. & A. M, of which deceased was a member, conducted the Masonic service.”

(Source: Cowichan Leader, 23 May 1920 – from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)

Here is a map showing the location of Cairnsmore Street, which the above obituary states was built by Isaac Newton Van Norman:

Isaac Newton Van Norman is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, North Cowichan. So is his brother, Thomas van Norman. , who is buried in a adjacent grave immediately west of Isaac Van Norman’s grave. The GPS location of the Isaac van Norman grave is N 48º 48.214’ W 123º 44.176’

The unmarked grave of Isaac Newton Van Norman is between the two marked graves in the foreground. His brother Thomas Van Norman is buried the grave to the right of the large tree in the background. Mountain View Cemetery, North Cowichan. (photo by Temple Lodge No. 33 Historian) — The unmarked grave of Isaac Newton Van Norman is between the two marked graves in the foreground. His brother Thomas Van Norman is buried in the grave beneath the large tree in the background. Mountain View Cemetery, North Cowichan. (photo by Temple Lodge No. 33 Historian)

Isaac Van Norman and his brother Thomas Van Norman are buried beneath this large tree in the south west section of Mountain View Cemetery.

The graves of Thomas Van Norman and Isaac Newton Van Norman are beneath this large tree in the south west section of Mountain View Cemetery, North Cowichan. (photo by Temple Lodge No. 33 Historian)

Here is a photo of Isaac Van Norman’s son Charles, circa 1940, with his wife.

Charles Kennedy Van Norman and his wife, circa 1940 (photo courtesy of J. Wright. Private collection, used with permission)

Here is a photo of Isaac Newton Van Norman’s first wife, Francis, who died in childbirth in 1892.

Would you like to leave a comment or question about anything on this page?