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Norris David Thing
b. 1 May 1888 Minn., Hennepin Co., MN
 d. (or disappeared) ? 1922

 m. Clara Inveen   about 1917
b. Jan 1886  Minn., Hennepin Co., MN
d. ?      Seattle, Wa. King Co.
Father: Michael Inveen
Mother: Abbie Prellwitz

Father: David Otis Thing
Mother: Axie Preble

Child with Clara Inveen
Vincent Thing
 b.  8 Aug 1918 Minn. Mn.       
d.  24 Jul 1973 Seattle Wa.   
m. Margret "Margie" Gadbois, 1 May 1943 Seattle, WA (dau. of Emile Gadbois         

The Thing or Thyng side of the family has been in the U.S. for many generations.  Norris spelled his name on his World War 1 Registration card as Norris David Thing.  Norris was one of 6 children born to David Otis Thing and Axie May Preble.  

David was born in Franklin Co., Maine in 1839 and Axie was born in St. Croix Wisconsin Febuary 2, 1867 but I found her with parents born in 1858.  I'm certain this is her with such an unusual name. Axie is one of 7 children born to Eli Preble and Martha.  Both Parents born in Maine and started their family there but moved to Wisconsin between the years of 1853-58.  They are in the 1860 censes in Pierce Co. Wisconsin.


1900 - US Census, Minnesota,   Hennepin Co.    June 1st

Person
 Birth date
 Marriage
 Birth Place
 Fathers
BirthPlace
 Mothers
 Birth Place
 Occupation
 Read
Write
Thing, David  O.  Nov 1839- 60yrs.
23yrs. old Maine Maine Maine Lumberman Yes
       "    Axie May Feb 1858- 42yrs.
23yrs. old Wisconsin Maine Maine Mother
Yes
       "   Allen F.  son  Oct 1877- 22yrs.

Wisconsin Maine Wisconsin Telegrapher
Yes
       "   Jessie M dau May1880-20yrs.

Wisconsin Maine Wisconsin
Yes
       "  Mable E. dau Oct. 1883- 16yrs.

N. Dakota Maine Wisconsin In school   Yes
       "    Lois      dau 
Dec. 1885-14yrs.

N. Dakota Maine Wisconsin       "
 Yes
       "    Norris   son May1888-12 yrs.

Minnesota Maine Wisconsin       "
 Yes
       "    Netelie  dau
Nov. 1896-3 yrs.

Minnesota Maine Wisconsin


1910- David O. Thing is in Arriba, New Mexico with his wife, Axie

1917-1920 -Norris was in World War I.  
His Registration card says he was a mail carrier for US government,  date on card is June 5, 1917.
He came back having problems with amnesia, they thought it was from being gassed in the war.  We still need the war records.  He disappeared on his way to Califoria for treatment of his sickness.

1920    US Census, Ohio,   Cuyahoga Co.   Cleveland    January 20
Person
 Age at censes
 Can read
 & write
 Persons birth place
 Fathers birth place
 Mothers birth place
 Occupation
Thing, Norris D.
  32 yrs
 Yes
 Minnesota
 Maine
 Wisconsin
 Real Estate
----    Clara
  31 yrs
 Yes
 Minnesota Minnesota Germany-spoke it
----   Vincent
  1 6/12 yrs
Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota


About 1922 - Norris disappears.  He leaves his family when Vincent was about 3 years old.  There is a family rumour that he was mugged while on his way to California where his parents were living.  His parents were planning to take him to the local hopital where they could help him with his problems of amnesia caused by the war. He was not on the train that his family went to meet.  The family enlisted the police to try to find him or his body with no avail.  A belt buckle of Norris was discovered in a park posing questions about where, how or why he disappeared.  Some relatives think that he may have taken his own life by jumping off the San Francisco Bay Bridge although there is nothing to substantiate either version.  This remains a major family mystery.


Source:
US Census, for Minnesota and Ohio
          US Military Registration Card.