Adam Norrie
Adam Norrie | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Montrose, Angus, Scotland |
| Died | June 6, 1882 (aged 86) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Iron trader, entrepreneur, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founder of St. Luke's Hospital; president of the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York |
Adam Norrie (February 13, 1796 – June 6, 1882) was a Scottish-American iron trader, the founder of St. Luke's Hospital, and served as president of the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York.
Early life
Born in Montrose, Angus, Scotland, Norrie was the son of John Norrie and Margaret Smith. His education took place in his hometown.
Career
At age nineteen, Norrie relocated to Gottenburg, Sweden, where he spent nine years employed by a leading iron manufacturer. In 1823, he arrived in the United States representing Swedish iron producers with the goal of expanding trade links between Sweden and America.
He became a partner in Boorman, Johnston & Co., alongside James Boorman and John Johnston, focusing primarily on the trade of Swedish iron. Joining as partner in 1828, their business was situated near Greenwich and Cedar Street. Following the deaths of the original partners, Johnston’s son teamed up with Norrie to continue operations from Broadway and Wall Street until Norrie retired in 1875.
Norrie was an original shareholder in the canal project linking Lake Michigan and Lake Superior and held a significant stake in the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Michigan Railroad. He held the position of vice president at the Bank of Savings, was a founding director of the Bank of Commerce, served as trustee for the Royal Insurance Company, and led its Finance Committee.
As a founder of St. Luke's Hospital, he became a member of the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York in 1827. He attained life membership status in 1867 and held various leadership roles including Manager (1838–1840), second vice-president (1843–1851), and president (1851–1862).
Personal life
On May 16, 1827, Norrie wed Mary Johanna Van Horne (1799–1873) at Trinity Church in Manhattan. Mary was the daughter of Garett Van Horne and Ann Margaret (née Clarkson) Van Horn. They had four children:
- Ann Margaret Norrie (d. 1905), who married George Lewis Augustus Moke (1814–1875).
- Gordon Norrie (1830–1909), who married Emily Frances Lanfear, daughter of Ambrose Lanfear.
- Mary Van Horn Norrie (1832–1888), who married David Plenderleath Sellar (1833–1901).
- Julia Nickel Norrie (1839–1921), who married Warren Carpenter Beach (1844–1922).
Norrie passed away on June 6, 1882, at his home located at 303 Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Descendants
Through his daughter Ann Margaret, Norrie was grandfather to George Edward Moke Norrie (1858–1920) and great-grandfather to Charles Willoughby Moke Norrie, 1st Baron Norrie (1893–1977), who held positions as Governor of South Australia and Governor-General of New Zealand.
Via his son Gordon, he was grandfather to Ambrose Lanfear Norrie—who married Ethel Lynde Barbey from the distinguished Barbey and Lorillard families—as well as Mary Lanfear Norrie; Dr. Van Horne Norrie, a prominent diagnostician and chairman of Bellevue Medical Board; Sara Goodhue Norrie; Adam Gordon Norrie, husband to Margaret Lewis Morgan; and Emily Lanfear Norrie.
Through his daughter Mary, he was grandfather to Norrie Sellar, a notable cotton broker who married Sybil Katherine Sherman, daughter of William Watts Sherman.