Illinois:  History of Cass County, Illinois, ed. William 
Henry Perrin. O. L. Baskin & Co. Historical Publishers, 
Chicago, 1882.  Cass County.

CHARLES J. NORBURY, merchant and salesman, Beardstown; was 
born in Philadelphia, Pa., May 22, 1812, and at seventeen 
years of age entered a commission house in that city, and 
was afterward in a wholesale dry goods house there till 
1836.  In April of that year he came to Beardstown, where 
for four years he managed the receiving and shipping 
business for Mr. Bassett, who did an extensive forwarding 
and commission business, chiefly in pork, lard and grain.  
In 1840, Mr. Norbury bought a wharf boat, and engaged in 
the receiving and shipping business, on his own account, 
for several years; then carried on a boat store, supplying 
packets and provisions, etc., for three or four years.  
About the year 1855 he became a member of the firm George 
Plahn & Co., with which he was connected in the general 
merchandising business, for fourteen years.  He then 
engaged in the same business on his own account, till 1874, 
and for the past five years has been employed as salesman 
for Rearick & Beatty.  In January, 1839, he married 
Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Thomas Spence; they have had 
thirteen children, two of whom are deceased.

Norbury Bassett Spence
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PA