He was born and raised in New York City, where he began his career as a mason.
He advanced to being a builder and eventually listed himself in the telephone directory as an architect.
[4] Norris also designed light houses for the Savannah River and Cockspur Island.
In 1853 Norris purchased what is now known as the Blauvelt-Norris-Burr-House in Blauvelt, New York,[5] where he lived until his death in 1876 at the age of 72.
[7] Norris' daughter, Josephine M. Barlow, died on May 15, 1864, of heart disease.