History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

1290

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

WALTER G. NORVELL. NOW traffic manager and assistant superintendent of Parke, Davis & Company, Walter G. Norvell entered the employ of that great drug manufacturing house when nineteen years old as
clerk in the order department. His forte has been traffic management,
and there is probably no citizen of Detroit who possesses a more technical and detailed knowledge of this general subject than Mr. Norvell.
The Norvell family is one of the oldest and most prominent of Detroit, and his grandfather was one of the first United States senators
from Michigan and one of the first postmasters at Detroit. Walter
Gregory Norvell was born November I8, I872, at the old Biddle House,
on Jefferson avenue, long one of the leading hotels of Detroit. His
father, the late James K. P. Norvell, who was born on Grosse Isle, Wayne
county, Michigan, August 27, 1845, and who died at Detroit April I,
1905, had a varied and active career in business. When a boy he went
to Buffalo, New York, later to New York city, was engaged in business
for a time at St. Louis, Missouri, and finally returned to Michigan and
took the management of a general store at L'Anse in Baraga county for
the company which was constructing the first railroad line on the upper
peninsula of Michigan. After returning to Detroit in 1872 he was
for many years engaged in the brokerage business. His was one of the
well-known names in Detroit business affairs for thirty years, and outside of business he was perhaps best known for his skill and ardor as
a hunter and fisherman. James K. P. Norvell married Lillie Coe, who
was born at Winstead, Connecticut, was reared in New York city, and
died at Detroit in 1893. There were two children, and the daughter is
Miss Florence of Detroit.
At the age of fifteen Walter G. Norvell left his studies in the Detroit
high school and on December IO, I887, found a place at regular wages
with the old Peninsular Car Company, and was employed in that industry for four years. Then in i891 began his connection with the Parke,
Davis & Company as clerk in the order department. His subsequent
record has been one not only of advancement to positions which give
him a more independent place in business affairs, but he has also realized
to the highest degree the possibilities for valuable and skillful service to a
company whose trade is international in scope, and one of the largest
and perhaps the best known drug manufacturing concern in America.
Mr. Norvell has made a careful study of all the problems involved in
the handling and routing of goods, and of the larger phases of commercial transportation. He was the sixth to hold the office of President of the
Detroit Transportation Club, and the only man selected for such an honor
who had not an active career as a railway or steamship official. It
was his expert qualifications in his line that led to his selection as chairman of the Transportation Committee of the Detroit Board of Commerce, as which he served from April, I912, to April, I9I4. During
same period he was also a Director. Commencing in April, 1914, he
was elected Vice President. Mr. Norvell is a member of the Fellowcraft Club, and in the Masonic order is affiliated with Corinthian Lodge,
A. F. & A. M., King Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M., and Moslem Temple of
the Mystic Shrine.
On August Io, 1905, occurred his marriage with Miss Janetta Mardella Wardell, a daughter of Charles Wardell, of Detroit. Their two
children are: Janette Frances, born May I6, 1907; and Catherine,
born December I3, 1912.
HENRY N. WALKER. By reason of his noble character and eminent
and professional services, the late Henry N. Walker was one of the most
distinguished figures in the early history of Michigan and one of the most