Major Matthew G. Norman

On June 19, 1999 a memorial service was held at the Alton Cemetery to dedicate a stone and celebrate the life of Matthew G. Norman. His final resting place was unmarked and thanks to the efforts of Curtis Hopper and Ed Grooms a military veterans marker was placed at the site.

Matthew Norman held the rank of Captain with the 4th Missouri Infantry during the Civil War. After the surrender of Confederate Army at the Siege of Vicksburg he return to Oregon County and organized 5 companies of men which became Fristoe's Regiment, Missouri Cavalry. For this he was promoted to Major and served with General Sterling Price in his 1864 Missouri Raid.

After the Civil War Major Norman commanded a militia unit that drove murdering bands of outlaws from the county. He was elected to the Missouri General Assembly in 1872 and 1892. He also served as county circuit clerk and recorder.

Memorial Service Master of Ceremonies, Curtis Hopper, Adjutant, John S. Marmaduke Chapter, Sons of Confederate Veterans, introduced speakers, Darrell L. Maples Missouri Division Commander, Sons of Confederate Veterans. The Honorable Don Koller, Missouri House of Representatives, Ron Campbell, Alton Mayor, and Ed Grooms, Civil War Historian and Keynote Speaker. Invocation and benediction was given by Rev. John Casey.

Over seventy people were in attendance and included descendants of Major Norman.

Grave Marker

Memorial Service Honor Guard

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