The early life of Norman is unknown. At the age of 22 in 1854, Norman decided to move to California to try and find gold. Norman joined a wagon company that would stop in Utah before continuing to California. He situated himself in Kaysville, Utah while the wagon company situated itself, where he worked for many farmers in the area to make due. 

While in Kaysville, he attended a dance where he met Martha Ann Henderson. They were married on Feb 16, 1855. A year later, Norman was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While in Kaysville, Norman participated in the Indian Wars where he "marched to Fort Lemhi[, Idaho] to response the settlers from the Indians."1

The family continued to live in Kaysville until 1864 when the family moved to Cache Valley. They first moved to Lewiston, Utah until moving to Richmond in 1867.