A. J. Norby Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1236-1237 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	A. J. NORBY is a native of Appleton, Minnesota, and the son of 
John J. and Sarah (Thompson) Norby. He is one of a family of five 
children, two sons and three daughters, and was born January 3, 1877. At 
the age of four years he was brought to Wilmot, South Dakota, where he 
spent his childhood and youth and received his preliminary education. 
After attending the public schools until finishing the usual studies, he 
fitted himself for active life by taking a full commercial course in a 
business college, later attending a school of pharmacy in Minneapolis, 
Minnesota, after which he engaged in the drug business at South Shore, 
South Dakota. After a short experience at that place he disposed of his 
establishment and accepted the position of cashier with the Warren 
Scharf Asphalt Paving Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, holding the same for 
only a brief time, when he resigned and came to Sisseton, where he was 
soon chosen bookkeeper and assistant cashier of the State Bank at this 
place, which relation he sustained until promoted cashier. He held the 
latter position until August 14, 1902, when he resigned and organized 
the Citizens' National Bank, of which he was made cashier and a member 
of the directorate, both of which places he still holds, and in addition 
thereto is also stockholder in the Farmers' State Bank of Wilmot. While 
primarily interested in banking, Mr. Norby is connected with several 
other important business enterprises, notable among which are the Iowa 
and Dakota Land and Loan Company, the Roberts County Abstract and Title 
Company and the Sisseton Lumber Company, being secretary and manager of 
the first named organization, treasurer and director of the second, and 
vice-president and a director and large stockholder in the lumber 
company. Although a young man, Mr. Norby has forged rapidly to the front 
in business circles and now occupies a position in the world of affairs 
such as few of his age and experience attain. Aside from his relations 
already referred to, Mr. Norby has been an influential factor in the 
general business and industrial affairs of Sisseton, every movement 
calculated to advance the city, materially or otherwise, receiving his 
co-operation and support. All agencies for the promotion of education 
find in him a friend and patron, and he is unwavering in upholding 
whatever he believes to be right and for the best interests of the 
community. Mr. Norby belongs to the Knights of Pythias, in which he 
holds the position of chancellor commander, and is also a member of the 
Modern Woodmen of America and the Improved Order of Red Men. His married 
life dates from the 15th of January, 1900, at which time he was united 
in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Effie Brown, of Minneapolis, 
Minnesota, a union blessed with two children, Rocheford J. and Ruth.