Charles W. Norder (1881-1979)

Charles Norder was born ‘Karl Jonatan Valentin Norder‘, in Ekeby, Sverige (Sweden) on January 28th, 1881. C. W. Norder’s life began as the son of Peter Gustaf and Maria Norder and the second youngest of five children (Simon, Agnes, Hulda, Karl, and Roda). His early years were spent in Sweden.

After immigrating to the United States to find work at a steel mill in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Norder’s childhood was characterized by the scarcity of the Depression of 1882–1885. Although poverty was a defining factor of Norder’s young life, he still managed to secure a school education and, continuing on in that fashion, graduate from the Zanerian College in the year 1902 with a gold seal certificate.

In 1904, Norder worked alongside fellow Zanerian and notable penman J. D. Carter for C. L. Ricketts — one of the most well-known engrosser’s of Chicago. ¹

Norder’s script lettering was considered highly proficient and accurate. His command of shaded writing rivaled the work of plate engravers.