thing.norris.html

Norris, Vincent and Clara Thing in 1922
photo in collection of Margie Gadbois Thyng White

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 Joseph Thing	b. 8 Aug 1918 Hennepin, Minn. [certid# 1918-46342]	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.

1930 - US Census, Minnesota, Hennepin. Enum. Dist. 27-304, Sheet 2A

Inveen, Michel J.     head        $3300     r   m w 72 mar 25    Minnesota     Germany    France                          none
"           , Abbie          wife-H                       f w 67 mar 20    Germany      Germany    Germany   German    none
Thing , Clara           dau.                               f   w 43 mar 29    Minnesota     Minnesota   Minnesota               clerk Grocery store
"          , Vincent       grandson                       m w 4     s          Minnesota     Minnesota   Minnesota

According to this last census Clara has moved with her son in with parents in Minnesota.   She's working in a grocery store that was previously operated by Michel Inveen.   Eventually the son inherits the store.

1955- Clara stays in Minnesota until about 1955 when she moves to Seattle to be near her son, Vincent Thyng and his new

Source:

US Census, for Minnesota and Ohio

          US Military Registration Card
          Minnesota Historical Society birth and death records
          White, Margie Gadbois Thyng. records and photos

All information and photos included within these pages are here for the express purpose of personal genealogical research and may not be included or used for any commercial purpose or included in any commercial site without the express permission of Cheryl and Elroy Christenson. Copyright Elroy Christenson 1998-2008.