Alameda County Biographies

ANDREW J. NOR

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 

	Was born in Germany, March 21, 1855, and there resided until the year 1872, when he 
emigrated to the United States, and settling in Livingston County, Illinois, there lived for 
a year, at the end of which time he came to California, embarked in the dairy business in 
Merced County, and there continued until 1875, when coming to West Oakland, he resided until 
1878, when he entered into partnership with F. G. Eiben in the grocery business under the 
style of Eiben & Nor, at the northwest corner of Seventh and Campbell Streets, Oakland.  
Married in November, 1881, Miss A. S. Miller.

History of Alameda County, California�, Oakland, M.W. Wood Publ., 1883, p. 953


Andrew J. Nor has been actively engaged in the grocery business in Oakland longer than any other 
man and the many years which he has conducted his store have brought him increased patronage and 
the absolute confidence of his customers. His birth occurred in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, 
March 21, 1855, and his father was J. H. Nor, who never followed any occupation but the dairy 
business, which he found very profitable and congenial.
	The subject of this review was educated in the public schools of his native land, and as 
they rank among the best in the world, his schooling was a thorough and liberal one. At the age 
of seventeen he came to America, making his way directly to Livingston county, Illinois, where 
for one year he was employed as a farm hand. In the fall of 1873 he came west to California and 
located in the San Joaquin valley. In the spring of 1875 he came to Oakland and in 1877 took out 
his naturalization papers as he had decided to definitely cast in his lot with this country. In 
1878 he embarked in the retail grocery business on West Seventh street in connection with a Mr. 
Eiben, the firm name being Eiben & Nor. Although the store has been twice moved he has never left 
West Seventh street and has been in business on that thoroughfare for the past thirty-six years. 
He has followed the policy of absolute integrity and his willingness to rectify any errors and to 
live up to the letter of all agreements have won him customers who patronize him from year to year.
	Mr. Nor was married in Oakland, November 27, 1881, to Miss Annie Miller, a native of. Ohio, 
who came to California as a young woman. They have two daughters: Emily L., who is studying art in 
Berkeley; and Frieda C., a graduate of the Oakland high school and an accomplished pianist.
	Mr. Nor is a republican in his political views, but has never cared to actively enter the 
political arena. He belongs to Alcatraz Lodge, No. 244, A. F. & A. M., and to Alcatraz Chapter, 
R. A. M. He also holds membership in University Lodge of Odd Fellows and in the Knights of Pythias. 
For thirty-nine years he has resided in Oakland and in that time has seen it develop from a 
comparatively small community to a thriving modern city, and the change brings him all the more 
pleasure because he has done more than his share in developing its business. He is reaping the 
reward of his many years of honorable activity in the respect with which he is uniformly regarded 
by all who know him.

Past & Present of Alameda County, California � Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914, p. 491