He went to California in 1849, remaining one year, then returned to Skowhegan, and studied law.

Norris served as land agent for the State of Maine 1860–1863, and was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1864.

He was appointed major and additional paymaster in the Bureau of Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, serving from May 1 to August 2, 1865, at Mobile, Alabama.

Upon the readmission of Alabama to representation, he was elected as a Republican to the Fortieth Congress and served from July 21, 1868, to March 3, 1869.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress