Bio: Norway, Charles A. (Commemorative Bio - 1895)

Poster: Crystal Wendt

Charles A. Norway

Charles A. Norway, a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Lincoln County, Wis., is at present one of the leading business men of Merrill, being connected with several of the most important industries of the county. He is a native of this State, his birth having occurred in Wausau, September 29, 1859, and is a son of Alanson C. Norway, one of the highly respected early settlers of this portion of the State.

The primary education of Charles A. Norway was received in the common schools of Merrill, where he also attended the high school, and later entered the normal school at Oshkosh, Wis. At the age of seventeen he began work in the hotel owned by his father, and was admitted into partnership in the business when he was but twenty years of age. That connection continued for three years, after which he began contracting and building, following that occupation for about a year. In 1882 he was elected register of deeds in Lincoln County, serving four years, during which time he opened a real-estate office and purchased the abstracts of the county. He admitted to partnership C. L. Wiley, and they remained in that business until the spring if 1890, when they sold out and erected a sawmill in the town of Harshaw, Wis., which they still own. They cut about fifteen million feet of lumber per year, and are doing a good business, in connection with which they have a general store at the same place. In 1893 their mill was burned, but they rebuilt without delay, and immediately resumed work. Mr. Norway is also interested in a drug store in Merrill, and in 1894, in company with J. R. Babcock, he built and established a factory for the manufacture of boxes, the firm being known as the C. A. Norway Box and Lumber Company. Here he is also meeting with success, giving employment of fifty men.

In 1881 Mr. Norway was united in marriage with Frances Kimball, who was born at Stevens Point, Wis., and is a daughter of Bryant B. Kimball. Unto our subject and his estimable wife has been born one child, a son, Jerry A. In politics, Mr. Norway is a Republican, and is in favor of any movement that is for the benefit of the community, or calculated to elevate the tone of society in general. He served for one year as alderman of the city. He is also interested in civic societies, holding membership with the I. O. O. F., and the F. and A. M. (being a Knight Templar) of Wausau. He is an industrious, energetic business man, and everything he undertakes he carried forward to completion if it lies with his power.

---Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the Upper Wisconsin Counties of Waupaca, Portage, Wood, Marathon, Lincoln, Oneida, Vilas, Langlade and Shawano. publ. 1895 by J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago 1110 pages, illustrated; Page 103-104