Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-01-09
vermonters in Chicago.


correspondence ofthe Herald AMI Ul"hH-I
NORMAN wIILIAGs
is notable Vermontcr in Chicago, and as
well known. perhaps, in Nermo"' as any
one from ,ha, STATE. He WAS born III
Woodstock in 1885 a little
past forty four years of age; his carly
education was obtained in the schools at ms
home; fitted for college in Meriden y H.
academy ard graduated at thc University
of Vermont in 1866; during all OF when
time he Evidenced an ability and decision OF
character which indicated that he wouin
eventually take position above medlocrlty
a promise which has become a reality lie
has honored his parentasc ami maintained
its fair name Vermont has reason To be
proud of him rs the Icrmontc's here are.
lie read law with the distinguished firm OF
Tracy, Converse 4 Barrett, in Woodstock,
and completed his course IN the Albany
Law School thence to Chicago III 1893,
where he has been since, devoting himself
assiduousy to his profession. lie is the
son of the late Hon Norman Villains, a
prominent lawyer and public man, well
known throughout Vermont, who was the
intimate associate Of such distinguished and
brilliant men as Judge Collamcr, Charles
Marsh, Judge Barrett, Gov Washburn, Car
los Coolidge, Andrew Tracy, Gov. Converse,
Titus Hutchinson, and others, who constitu-
ted the most brillian! and able lar in Yer
mont. and one Of the brightest and best in
New England.
Norman Williams is the youngest of four
boys, all of whom are holding important and
prominent positions. and have been active and
useful citizens. Henry b. is in California, in
charge of the interests of the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company; Edward ii. was for
many years superintendent of different rail
roads in the Northwest and in Pennsylva-
mia, and is now one of the principal pro
prietors and managers Of the Baldwin lo-
connective Works in Philadelphia the most
extensive in the country; Charles ;. is en-
gagged in the management of railroads in the
Southern States; and an only sister, wild
ow, is now living in Woodstock Norman, rs
have said, is in Chicago practising law,
and is acknowledged TO be one OF the ablcst
and most successful attorneys in this city.
The firm of Williams 4 Thompson is, be
lieve, the oldest continuous firm now practis-
ing in Chicago, and is doing a large and
lucrative business, mainly for large corpo-
rations, in which line they rank among the
ablest and most successful in the Northwest
Mr.. Williams, when young learned tele
graphing and the printing business; the first
despatch ever sent over wire from Wood
stock was sent by his father, declining a
nomination for lieutenant governor, which
had been given in convention. lie Nor
man is the president of the American Dis
trct and Telephone Telegraph Company i'll
this city director in the Vermont and Bos
ton Telegraph Company, and director
in several large manufacturing and
other corporations general solicitor
for the Western Union Telegraph
Company for the entire country west of the
Allegheny mountains. having charge of all
legal business of that immense corporation,
conducting all of their great suits growing
out of the contests between Jay Gould and
the company, and has been successful IN
nearly all.
Before coming Ia Chicago he was one of
the clerks Of the Vermont House of Reprc-
sentatives. for two years, and will be par
ticulary remembered by the members of
those bodies and those who annually gather
at the capital as an efficient clerk. lie was
married in December, 1861, to Carrie Cation,
the accomplished daughter of cx-Chief Jus
ticc Cation of this State, and is fortunately
situated in his home surroundings. Nor
man Williams has been 4 part of and has
made an impression on the history Of
Chicago in more respects than one. While
he has declined all tenders of political pre-
fermcnt, he has been an active and leading
Republican IN the councils o. The party.
He is clear thinker aud his voice is heard
in advocacy of the principles Of that party
in all important campaigns. He is available
material out Of which 10 make a governor
or congressman, and don't know but he is
held in reserve for the future 10 fill such
positions - -, - ann,,.,and A. A., ="
private citizen he has an uncxccptionable
character in all respects; is a generous and
public spirited man, is popular and held in
high regard by all classes and parties, is a
devoted and loyal Ncrmontcr and takes
pleasure in keeping alive and green memo
rites of the Green Mountain State" which
he visits annually, TO renew acquaintance
with the mountains and valleys and friends
of his youth.