NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Charles A. Norris
Morris Co. Up

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

The leaders of the world in any line of business are few, the followers many. It requires great sagacity, splendid business and executive ability, unflagging energy and unabating zeal in the pursuit of one’s purpose to gain leadership, and the man who does so is certainly deserving of great credit. Not alone is Mr. NORRIS at the head of many of the important business enterprises of this section, but he is also the leading spirit. He is the son of Daniel C. NORRIS, born in the State of New Jersey, 1810, died 1875. During the greater part of his life he was engaged in the mercantile business. He married Miranda Han VILL, born in New Jersey, 1811, died 1892. They had children:

  • Mary, married Joseph HOWARD;
  • Frances,
  • Emma,
  • Hannah,
  • John,
  • Harriet,
  • Charles A.,
  • Charles A. (second);
  • William.

Charles A. NORRIS was born in Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey, in 1846. The public schools of Boonton furnished his preparatory education, and this was completed at the Collegiate Institute of Newton, New Jersey. He commenced his business career as a clerk for an insurance company, and has been connected with this line of business for the past forty years. During the past five years he has served as president of the United States Insurance Company of New York City, with offices in New York City. He is one of the directors of the Boonton National Bank; president of the Holmes Library at Boonton; one of the organizers of the Boonton Building and Load Association; also a director in the last named corporation; and is a member of the board of directors of the Boonton Gas Light Company and of the Improvement Company of Boonton.

Mr. NORRIS married, November 12, 1884, Frances A., born in Boonton, daughter of George and Ellen (WOOTTON) ELY, the former connected with the Boonton Iron Works; in addition to Mrs. NORRIS they had a daughter, Helen. Mr. and Mrs. NORRIS have had children:

  • Francis, who was graduated from Yale University and the Law School of Columbia University, was admitted to the bar of New York, and is now practicing his profession in New York City;
  • Eleanor, was educated at the Packer Collegiate Institute of Brooklyn, New York;
  • Cornelia, is a member of the class of 1914 at Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York;
  • Ely, twin of Cornelia, a student at the Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey;
  • Charles, at the institute with his brother, Ely.

Mr. NORRIS and his family are members of the Episcopal church, and he is a member of the Boonton Club. Mr. NORRIS has consistently maintained his high rank among the ablest business men in his State. He is possessed of a commanding and pleasing personality, and always manifests courtesy and respect for those with whom he is brought in contact, whether they be high or humble, rich or poor. Easy of approach, of a charitable and sympathetic nature, and endowed with the distinctive characteristic of a gentleman, it is not a matter of wonder that Mr. NORRIS enjoys the esteem and full confidence of his fellow citizens.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).

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