Person:Freeman Norvell (3)

He received an appointment as a midshipman at Annapolis and entered the Marines upon his graduation. He served as a 2nd lieutenant in the Mexican War, with Co. A, Marine Battalion in 1847. He was breveted 1st Lieutenant for storming of Chapultepec and capture of Mexico City, and appointed Adjutant, Nov 1, 1847. He was with the Army in Mexico in 1848. The U.S. Marines had no regimental organization, and consisted of 1283 privates, doubled on 2 March 1847 to 2293, with 12 commanding officers, one of which was Freeman Norvell. A battalion of this force marched to Puebla with Franklin Pierce's troops in July and joined Quitman's division, seeing action at Chapultepec, and were among the first to enter the Belén gate.

With the coming of the Civil War, Freeman joined the 1st Michigan Cavalry. He was reassigned on June 14, 1862 to the 5th Michigan Cavalry and on August 27th was promoted to Major. In December 1862, Norvell, promoted now to Colonel of the 5th, assumed command of the unit at Camp Copeland inWashington D.C. to the east of Capitol Hill. On February 25, 1863, Colonel Freeman Norvell resigned as Commander of the 5th Michigan Cavalry following allegations that he had been drunk on duty. To his credit he reentered the service of his country as a Captain and Assistant Adjutant General of the Volunteers and served honorably from May 8, 1863, where he was at the Battle of Gettysburg, until May 18, 1864, when he was honorably discharged.

Back in Detroit he entered the newspaper business and until July 14, 1872, partly owned and edited the Detroit Free Press, with Henry N. Walker, the husband of his sister Emily. An old school Democrat, with the nomination of Horace Greeley by the party in 1872, Freeman sold his interest in the paper rather than support Greeley's candidacy for president..

On August 28, 1872 he became the superintendent of the Spur Mountain Mining Company. The mine seemingly prospered and he had the opportunity to sell his interest at a large profit, but he waited too long. The ore gave out and the mine was finally abandoned.

In his later years Freeman actively worked in the government of Detroit and served as President of the City School Board from1879-1881, and later as secretary of the board from 1881 until his death. He lived with his family in a three story house that he built at 550 Jefferson Avenue and Riopelle Streets. The Federal Census of 1880, lists Freeman, age 52, occupation insurance and Secretary of the Board of Education.

1. ↑ PhilNorvell.FTW.

   Date of Import: Nov 22, 2000

2. ↑ PhilNorvell.FTW.

   Date of Import: Nov 22, 2000

3. ↑ PhilNorvell.FTW.

   Date of Import: Nov 22, 2000