Norman Harlow Blackstock Abell

Biographical Information

Norman Harlow Blackstock Abell was born in New York on November 5, 1897.  His parents were Wilbur and Frances J. (Blackstock) Abell.  The family must have moved to to Arizona not long after his birth since they were noted in the 1900 Federal Census in Benson Precinct, Cochise Co. Arizona Territory.   By the 1910 Federal Census, Norman’s widowed mother, Frances was noted living with her two children, Norman and Helen, in Tombstone Judicial Precinct, Cochise Co., Arizona Territory.

When Norman registered for the World War I draft on September 5, 1918, his permanent address was given as Box 121 Tombstone, Cochise Co. AZ.  His occupation was given as Deputy Recorder for Cochise County, AZ.  He was listed as medium height and medium build with blue eyes and brown hair.  In the 1920 Federal Census of Tombstone Precinct, Cochise Co., AZ, a 22 year old Abell was noted living on Allen Street with his widowed mother, Frances J. and younger sister, Helen.  He was a salesman in a garage.

In 1924, Norman Abell was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives.  He was a Democrat and he served from Tombstone, Cochise County from January 12, 1925 through 1928, the 7th Legislature, Regular Session and the 8th Legislature, Regular Session and the 8th Legislature 1st through 6th Special Sessions.

In an August 11, 1925, [p. 4] article from the Morning Sun (Yuma, AZ), Norman Abell was noted as “the onion king of the state of Arizona” because he had “10 acres of Valencia onions at Benson.”  His mother, Frances J. (Blackstock) Abell, died November 19, 1925 in Phoenix, AZ.   Norman Abell was 28 years old.

Based on the Arizona birth record of their son, Norman, Jr., and the 1930 Federal Census, Norman Abell married Alice V. Sims in 1926 or 1927.  At the time of their son’s birth, October 7, 1928, they were living at 4 South 18th Ave., Phoenix, AZ.  His occupation was given as Secretary.  By the 1930 Federal Census, a 32 year old Norman H B Abell was renting a house at 3023 Park Boulevard, Oakland, Alameda Co, CA.  He was noted with his wife, Alice V. S. and son, Norman, Jr.  The couple was married when he was 29 and she was 24.  He was a District Superintendent for a grocery chain.  He was not a veteran.  The Long Beach Independent (CA), April 20, 1947, p. 22, noted two daughters, Virginia and Charleen.

According to the Long Beach Independent (CA), December 4, 1947, p. 4, Norman Abell “of the Payless markets” was elected treasurer or the Retail Food Institute.   A January 28, 1948 Long Beach Independent (CA) article, p. 15, noted:  “Pay-Less Markets Celebrate 10th Anniversary:  Norman Abell Opens Pay-Less Hardware, Novelty Store.”  A January 13, 1949 Long Beach Independent (CA) article, p. 4, noted that two new Pay-Less stores were being opened. 

Norman Abell died February 28, 1954 in Long Beach, Los Angeles Co. CA.  His mother’s maiden name was given as Blackstock.  According to the Long Beach Independent (CA), March 4, 1954, p. 6, Norman Abell, of 3844 Linden Ave., had a heart attack while driving and he crashed into a parked car on Country Club Dr. near Bixby Rd.  An autopsy revealed his death was caused by a liver injury sustained in the accident.

According to the Social Security Death Index, Alice V. Abell died in Long Beach, Los Angeles Co., CA on April 8, 1992.

Employment

Arizona Legislative Service

Sources

Birth: WWI draft card, location: 1900 AZ census: Norman H.B. Abell; Death: CA death index: Norman Abell; Occupation(s): WWI draft card and 1920 census; Cemetery:  Find A Grave Memorial 85334776 created by: Chris Mills, record added: Feb 22, 2012