John Amos ("Jack") Norris was born on 15 October 1877 at Myalla Creek, Bobundara near Cooma, NSW, the ninth child of William Matthew Norris and Eliza Dey (nee Scanes). He married Ethel May Try at St. Paul's Church of England, Cooma, on 7 October 1903. The Cooma Express of 10 October 1903 reported:

WEDDING BELLS. - On Wednesday afternoon last Mr. Jack Norris, third youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Norris, sen, of Cooma, was married to Miss May Troy [sic], youngest daughter of the late Mr. Troy, of Adaminaby. The wedding ceremony took place in the Church of England, the Rev. Mr. Wentworth-Shields performing the ceremony. Mr Nat. Norris acted as best man. The bride, who was given away by her brother, Mr. F. Troy [sic], was attired in white silk, trimmings, twine insertions. The bridesmaid, Miss A. Troy [sic], was dressed in pale green. After the ceremony the wedding breakfast took place at the residence of Mrs. W. Huggett, mother of the bride, after which Mr. and Mrs. Norris left for their honeymoon down the South Coast. The bride's travelling dress was blue cashmere. On Wednesday night a dance was held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. Norris, sen., to celebrate the event. The wedding presents were numerous and costly.

John Amos and Ethel May Norris had three children: Douglas John (b. 1904), Alfred Frank (b. 1907) and Jack Wentworth (b. 1913), all born in Cooma. In about 1939 John Amos Norris moved from Cooma to Grafton, where he died on 9 January 1949. The Cooma Express of 21 January 1949 included several tributes to him on his death:

VALE! JOHN NORRIS

The passing of John Amos Norris on the 10th instant is most sincerely regretted throughout Cooma and Monaro in general, and in the homes of many former Monaro folk who became acquainted with him during their sojourn in that district," writes one of the late Mr. Norris' old friends.\n

"Jack," by which name he was familiarly known, was born in Bobundara in 1877, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Norris, who, with their large family, settled in Cooma in 1888.

The late Mr. Norris commenced school in Bobundara, but in 1888 was enrolled at the Cooma Public School, where he formed many lifelong friendships. On leaving school he was employed by the late Ernest Nightingale, chemist, as messenger boy, at premises now occupied by Mr. John Arthur as a newsagency. Later he was employed in the bakery business of the late David Jeffrey.

On reaching manhood, deceased entered partnership with his brother, Daniel, in a cycle agency, eventually becoming sole proprietor. Whilst in this business he worked hard and late, yet found time to devote to athletic sports of all descriptions, particularly cycle racing. Cycle racing was then the order of the day and many keen contests from Cooma to Bunyan and return, Cooma to Rock Flat and return, etc., attracted a great deal of attention from both riders and the public. In these events our deceased friend took a prominent part and was a member of the committee of the Cooma Athletic Club.

His business, due to hard work and personal attention, won through to better days, and in 1916 he purchased a car for himself and added a motor car agency and repair workshop to his cycle establishment. The business prospered, and Jack later purchased the building in which the business was conducted. Later he purchased the adjoining site and building, occupied by the Manaro "Mercury."

In 1903, deceased married Miss Try. They resided in Soho Street for many years.

The late Mr. Norris was ever a keen townsman out to further the welfare of the community in every way possible. He occupied and worthily filled many public positions, amongst which may be enumerated trustee of the Cooma Commons and Chairman in the Trust (in the days before it was taken over by the Municipal Council), a committeeman of the Cooma Hospital and the Cooma P. and A. Association; honorary treasurer for a record term of the Old Monaro and Cooma Racing Clubs; treasurer and president of the Parents' and Citizens' Association; captain of the Cooma Rifle Club, and during the First World War, a member of the local Recruiting Association.

Deceased was a very old member of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows and in Lodge Monaro 119, filled the various chairs including that of Noble Grand. He also attained the higher honours of Deputy District Grand Master, and Grand Master of the Goulburn District of the order.

He was also a worthy member of the Masonic order and in Lodge Monaro 164, U.G.L. of N.S.W., rose to the rank of Worshipful Master.

As a young man, deceased took a keen interest in military matters in old "K" Company under the late Major Faulkner. He was a first-class marksman and took an active part in the Volunteer Rifle Club. The School of Arts and the Billiard Club both owe much to the late Mr. Norris, he having filled the office of treasurer to both institutions for many years at the time they were launching out into building operations. He was one of several bandsmen for the outlay.

With all his business and public activities he was ever ready to render practical assistance to a friend in need or to help financially any worthy call either for the individual or the community.

"Jack" finished his course one year beyond the allotted span, and looking back over the lengthy track all admit he ran a clean, straightforward, and honest race, and in doing so made many friends and no enemies. All who met him on his journey lament his passing.

Although deceased left Cooma for Grafton in 1939 and was tendered a send-off by the citizens, he always kept in close touch, and his many visits to Cooma kept his memory green with both his old time friends and the later day citizens.

Deceased leaves to mourn their loss his widow and three sons. Douglas (Grafton), Alfred Frank (Mayor of Cooma) and John (Rylestone). He is also survived by a brother, Mr. D.D. Norris (Campsie), and a sister, Mrs. E.J. Day (Cooma). Six brothers, Nat. J., Alfred J., Isaac H., William H., Walter E.F., and Ernest M., and one sister, Mrs. Caroline A. Payne, predeceased him. There are also several grandchildren.

The Editor of the Monaro Express writes in the same issue:

Sincere Tribute To The Late J.A. Norris

John Amos Norris (some of his friends rendered it John "Famous") has joined the trek into the Great Unknown. He has passed but his memory remains as a reminder of a man, unassuming and modest in his behaviour, who did to others what he would have had them do to him, and aimed to leave the world a little better than he found it.

Of pioneer stock he was one of the family of the late Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Norris and was born at Bobundara 71 years ago. From little references made by him conditions were not easy during his boyhood; he had to do his full share of the household work and his schooling was probably not as adequate as he could have wished. This may have, to an extent, accounted for his keenness to advance local education; as President over several years of Cooma Parents' and Citizens' Association he worked hard for a fair deal for pupils and teachers and for better teaching and working facilities in a more modern school building.

Never afraid to advance his own opinions and theories he was yet tolerant of those of others and prepared to alter his own viewpoint if pursuaded that it could be bettered.

He took his full part in public affairs.

He was for some time an alderman of Cooma and a consistent worker for Cooma District Hospital in the days when the Government & for & subsidy acted as an incentive to local residents to give all possible support to this fine institution. As secretary and organiser for many years of the annual Hospital Demonstration he achieved consistently good results, much being due to his personal canvass and exhortation. His organising methods were not generally spectacular but he was always "on the job"; if entries for the bicycle or foot-races were lagging he would personally contact the tardy ones and secure their co-operation. The donation list expanded as he interviewed potential donors who were probably informed: "You are down for &1 - that's right, isn't it?"

He was a leading worker for the School of Arts and Billiard Club, for the P. and A. Association and on the various Race committees; he took an honoured place in the Masonic Craft and the M.U.I.O.O.F., exemplifying in his life and conduct the fine teachings of these organisations. He handled a cue in the billiard room or "kissed kitty" on the bowling green, enjoying the friendship of all.

He had a particularly soft spot for children and they were well catered for in any programmes which he arranged. In offering prizes for competitions, however, the practical result side was generally emphasised. A prize for junior farmers would be for the grower of potatoes or peas ready for the Christmas dinner table; harvesting, say on 31st January, would be easy, but to have early results special attention was necessary.

His early upbringing taught him habits of hard work, honesty, thrift and carefulness and these he practised in his daily work whether for private or public ends.

In Cooma he built up a thriving garage and motor and machinery sales business from the small beginning of a bicycles sales, hire and repair shop. Many of his methods were unorthodox, but they were usually successful.

In his private friendships he was capable of great personal loyalty, an outstanding example being his unswerving and practical support of the Hon. J.A. Perkins in his various political campaigns and parliamentary life.

Though he chose to leave Cooma for Grafton some years ago when son Douglas and he entered business together in that Northern centre, he retained his affection for Monaro and his old Monaro friends, and he frequently revisited Cooma to receive a most cordial welcome from his numerous friends and acquaintances.

The deepest sympathy will go out to his widow, who was his constant companion and support in the rearing of their family and in his business and home, and to his three sons, one of whom at the present time worthily upholds his father's traditions as Mayor of Cooma.

Good bye, Jack, we shall miss you.

When John Amos Norris and his brother Daniel started in their Vale Street premises in 1902, the business was both a cycle shop and a bakery. The 1903 Electoral Roll records both their occupation's as baker. In fact, Norris Bros. gained 2nd prize for a 4lb loaf of baker's bread in the 1903 Cooma Show. Jack also won 1st prize for the best collection and arrangement of honey, in comb, jars or bottles; and 2nd prize for 6lb strained honey. However, Daniel only remained for a year and the bakery side of the business does not appear to have lasted very long [Jack's brothers Alfred John and Ernest Matthew were also bakers in Bombala and Delegate respectively]. The following item from the Cooma Express of 30 June 1903 illustrates John Amos Norris' early involvement in cycling in Cooma:

A general meeting of the Cooma Branch of the League of Wheelmen was held at Norris Bros.' shop on Friday last, when there were present Messrs. C. Walmsley, F. and T. Robinson, E. Woodcroft, D. J. and W. Norris. The following officers were appointed:- Committee - Messrs. E. Woodcroft, W. McArthur, J.A. Perkins, A. Shannon, F., M., T. and W. Robinson; Treasurer - Mr. C.J. Walmsley; Secretary - Mr. J.A. Norris. It was proposed by Mr. J. Norris that a road race be held on the 29th July. Seconded by Mr. F. Robinson and carried. Norris Bros. promised to give a pair of new nickel wheels, built to order, for first prize, and Mr. F. Robinson a cyclometer for the last man. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Council to ask permission to finish the race at the corner of Sharp and Bombala Streets. Messrs. J. and C. Walmsley were appointed handicappers together with the Secretary. The quarterly subscription was fixed at 1/-.