New Britain herald., 1920-08-20

Charles w. Norton. New Britain's oldest post office employee. completed his last days work yesterday. Today he rcttres on pension after having prescribed to the new postal em- ployees' pension law which retires clerk who has worked 30 years and has attained at loast 65 years of age.
 The story of Mir. Norton's life up to tho present time is one filled with in- terest, for it shows a man successful who had but a minimum of educa- ton and who worked constantly 10 be a success.
 Born in Berlin.
 Tho gentleman was born in Berlin on August ga. 1s42. He was educat- cd in tho rural schools until 15 when he attended Berlin Academy, now ancient history. When Is his father took him to New Britain to look for . position and he was located with E. c. Northrup in the store of North rup and Woodruff. The store was To- cated where McMillan's store now stands. He worked there three years when the Civil War broke out.
 Tn Civil War.
 He was about 20 years Of age and. gaining the consent of his parents. enlisted in Company F. 14th connecti- cut Infantry. The records of the com pany show the man fine soldier. | His record was perfect. He fought | bravely in the battles of Antietam. | fredericksburg, and the Wilderness. | A strang coincidence Is the fact that l ho received n wound for every large | battle. He wl.s wounded twice in the | right hand m separate engagements [ and once he received gun ball in tho mouth. Three times he was laid up In Union hospitals. During his service he saw Abraham Lincoln three times. each time the martyred man being engaged In visiting his troops.
 Returns to Civilian Life.
 After leaving the army Mir. Nor ton returned to New Britain to start life anew. He re-entered the same store and left it to 20 to Hartford to n dry goods store. He returned to this city and went In company with orrin Slate in Norton and slate. He was with him three years when Inc en- tered partnership with William x. Feldt with whom he was associated four years. His next venture was in the shoe business which he entered with his father-in-iaw. n. E. Cnpron.. where Sloan'R shoe store now stands. Hard times came then and business depression was felt. everywhere. Mir. Norton sold out and sought other work.
 Appointed to Post omcr.
 Tt was November 1, 1889. that he was appointed a member of the post ofiico force. He was appointed by the lato Ira F.. Hicks. then postmaster. and former soldier comrade of Mir. Norton.
 His appointment was us money or- der and register clerk. The post of- hce was located where Wilson's store is now situated. The business for the followins year was s2b.7s6.54. At that time there was very little bus moss in foreign money orders or for eiRn exchange.
 Watching New Britain Grow.
 When tho old gentleman first worked tte English and Irish were In those facing him at Inc window to send money back home ncroas the water. Since that time he has soen tho changes that came In tho makeup of New Brttain's population. He saw tho entrance of Inc Swedes. Germans. Russians. Ital- lnns, Poles. and Greeks as we'll as other nationnlittcs too numerous to Records of his work might provo New Britain the most cosmo- politan city in this region. Mir. Nor