Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 3. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p.  466.
 
ALBIN W. NORBLAD

     It is always interesting to note the rise of one whose business prominence
and success entitles him to more than passing mention, and in this connection it
is pleasing to record the history of Albin W. Norblad, who at the age of seven
years sold newspapers in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is now a leading and
growing lawyer of Astoria.  He was born in Malmo, Sweden, on the 19th of March,
1881, a son of Peter and Bessie (Anderson) Norblad, who were also natives of
that country.  Coming to America during the early childhood of their son Albin
they settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they resided until the death of
the father in 1910, since which time Mrs. Norblad has become a resident of
Astoria.  Their family numbered three children, of whom Albin W. is the eldest.
The others, Clara and George, are still with their mother.
     Following the arrival of the family in Grand Rapids Albin W. Norblad
attended the public schools until twelve years of age, but for five years prior
to that time also carried and sold newspapers, thus contributing to his support.
He was a member of the Evening Press Newsboys Band, with which he made a trip
through the southern states, the bank winning a gold medal offered by John
Philip Sousa to the boys' bank making the greatest advancement in music in a
year.  Leaving school at the age of twelve, Mr. Norblad secured a position with
the Grand Rapids Furniture Company of Chicago, with which he continued for a
number of years.  later he obtained a position as a newspaper reporter and while
acting that capacity promoted his education by attending the Chicago Seminary of
Science for four years.  thus laying a good foundation for further progress
along educational lines, he entered upon a three years' course of law at the
Chicago Law School and was graduated in June, 1905.  In April of the same year
he was admitted to the bar and at once began practice in Grand Rapids, where he
remained for a few months.  He then removed to Escanaba, Michigan, where he
again followed his profession, forming a partnership with Judd Yelland, which
continued until 1908.  His partnership with Mr. Yelland was discontinued on the
election of the latter to the office of probate judge and Mr. Norblad then
practiced alone in Escanaba until 1909.  The west, with its broader
opportunities, however, attracted him and, coming to the coast, he settled at
Astoria, where he entered into partnership with G. A. Hemple for the practice of
law, this relation continuing until June, 1910.  He has since been alone, with
offices at Nos. 3 and 4 Page building, Astoria.  He has been admitted to
practice in the Oregon and Michigan federal courts and also in the supreme court
of the United States.  At the present writing (1911) he is serving as city
attorney, having been the nominee of both the republican and democratic parties
at the primary, a fact which indicates his standing as a man and citizen and the
confidence reposed in his professional ability.  He is a lawyer of ability, his
preparation of his cases in thorough and exhaustive, and his presentation of an
issue clear and forcible.  He is seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of
a legal principle and his devotion to his clients' interests in proverbial.  He
is also attorney for the Port of Astoria and city of Warrenton.
     On the 29th of September, 1906, Mr. Norblad was married to Miss Edna Lyle
Cates, who was born in Wisconsin, and is a daughter of Lew and Liva Cates, both
of whom were natives of Iowa.  The mother died in 1890 and in 1909 the father
removed to Cottage Grove, Oregon, where he is now publishing a paper known as
the Cottage Grove Sentinel.  In the Cates family were four children:  Ina, now
the wife of Asa Curtis, of Astoria; Mrs. Norblad; Harry, a resident of Michigan;
and Grace, who is living with her sister Mrs. Norblad.  A. W. Norblad, Jr., the
only child of our subject and his wife, is an interesting little lad of four
years, his birth having occurred September 12, 1908.  The parents are both
members of the Presbyterian church and are widely and favorably known socially
in their adopted city.  Mr. Norblad is now lecturing knight of the order of
Elks, is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, the Modern Woodmen camp, the
Odd Fellows society and the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained high
rank, being now a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine.
He also belongs to several Scandinavian lodges and the Phi Alpha Delta, a law
fraternity.  At one time he was secretary of the Business Men's Association of
Escanaba, Michigan, and in 1910 president of Astoria Chamber of Commerce, and
his military history covers service with the Second Michigan Infantry and the
First Illinois Infantry, and with the Michigan Naval Brigade, having been
commissioned a lieutenant of the latter.  Each experience in his life he has
regarded as a preparation for the duties and labors to follow, and he has made
each day count for the utmost, actuated at all times by a laudable ambition that
has prompted him to put forth earnest and effective effort in the attainment of
the goal which lies before him.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.