Charles J. Norbury – Biography  

CharlesJ. Norbury

 
CHARLES J. NORBURY, oneof the old and best known men of Cass county, was born in Philadelphia,May 22, 1812. His father, Joseph B., was a native of Northumberland, Pennsylvania,grew up and obtained his education in Philadelphia, became an attorney,and was so engaged until his death at sixty years of age. He was a wellknown citizen of that city. His mother, Rebecca Frick, was born in Northumberlandcounty, coming of German parents, and died a consistent member of the DutchReformed Church.

Mr. Norbury, after obtaininghis early education, became a clerk in a wholesale house in Philadelphia.In the spring of 1836 he came to Beardstown via Pittsburg, the Ohio, Mississippiand Illinois rivers. He has since been a resident of this place. He firstbegan as a clerk for William Bassett, who was a dealer in flour and drygoods and agent for the steamboats on the rivers. After this Mr. Norburywas associates with several gentlemen, and later entered into businessrelations with George Plahn, which continued until 1884, when Mr. Norburyretired from active business. In these years he had become one of the bestknown men of the county, respected for his honesty and as one who was afriend in need. He never accumulated a large fortune, but possesses a modestcompetence.

He was married in Beardstown,in 1839, to Elizabeth Spence of Tennessee, born October 16, 1822. She wasthe daughter of Rev. Thomas Spence, a prominent Methodist minister of Tennessee,who came to Illinois in the early thirties, having been a pioneer ministerin the early history of the State. Mr. and Mrs. Norbury are working membersof the Congregational Church. He is not an office seeker, but has alwaysbeen a Whig and a Republican, voting first for William H. Harrison andlast for his grandson. Having always lived a temperate life, notwithstandinghis age, he has a clear eye and sound faculties. He and his wife are theparents of thirteen children, nine of whom are living.

Those living are: Rebecca,widow of D. H. Flickwin and living in Beardstown; Jennie, now wife of JudgeS. P. Dale, Cañon City, Colorado; William remains at home; Paralee,the wife of O. K. Ruechler, lives in Jacksonville, Illinois; Arthur alsolives at Jacksonville; Elizabeth resides in Denver; Anna, wife of WilliamD. Epler, resides in Beardstown; Frank is a physician in charge of themale annex of the insane asylum at Jacksonville; Mamie is the wife of G.B. Hegardt, assistant United States Engineer at Fort Stephens, Oregon.He built the Government jetties at the mouth of the Columbia river.

Biographical Review ofCass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois, Biographical Review PublishingCo., Chicago, 1892, pages 237-238.

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