Edward A. Norris was born in Maryland to Irish parents in July 1867.¹ Norris worked as fireman for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad prior to joining the White House staff in April 1892 during the presidency of Benjamin Harrison.² In the early years of his service, Norris kept fires to warm the first families, but later rose to the position of chief engineer, overseeing the engine room as heating systems advanced in the twentieth century.³ He also occasionally assisted on the White House Grounds, and in March 1898, helped President William McKinley plant an oak tree on the lawn.⁴In 1910, Edward Norris married Mary McKenna– the sister of White House Doorkeeper Patrick E. “Pat” McKenna. Perhaps Pat acted as a matchmaker between his sister and colleague.The three of them lived together in Washington, D.C.⁵ In 1932, Norris retired from his role as chief engineer. Upon his retirement, he received “personal good wishes from President and Mrs. Hoover” along with a certificate of service framed with White House wood removed during repairs on the roof.”⁶ He died the following year on February 15, 1933, and was buried in Elkridge, Maryland.⁷

Edward A Norris in the 1900 United States Federal Census, Year: 1900; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: 159; Page: 16; Enumeration District: 0029, Ancestry.com.
“Veteran Fireman Quits White House,” Evening Star, May 3, 1932, pg. 38.
Ibid.
“Nature and Inventive Genius Contribute to White House Novelties,” The Sunday Star, September 2, 1923, pg. 47.
Edward A. Norris in the District of Columbia, U.S., Compiled Marriage Index, 1830-1921, Ancestry.com. District of Columbia, U.S., Compiled Marriage Index, 1830-1921 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2014, Ancestry.com; Edward A Norris in the 1920 United States Federal Census, Year: 1920; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: T625_213; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 317, Ancestry.com.
“E. A. Norris Will Get Service Certificate,” Evening Star, May 17, 1932, pg. 3; “Veteran Fireman Quits White House,” Evening Star, May 3, 1932, pg. 38.
Obituaries do not share further burial details. “E. A. Norris Dead; Long at White House,” Washington Herald, February 16, 1933, pg. 13; “Edward A. Norris,” Times Herald, February 16, 1933, pg. 25.

Birthplace

Maryland, USA

Elkridge, Maryland, USA

Related Workers: Patrick E. McKenna
Ushers, Stewards, and Doorkeepers, 1903 – 1940; Joseph A. Sheehan
circa 1928; Thomas J. Scanlon
circa 1928; B.E. McKenner
circa 1928