Ellises find sweet romance at Norris Candy Co.

I don't like to dwell on one topic too long, or write too many stories about one particular family unless there is overwhelming response and people are really making connections. However, the following story was so cute, I thought you might enjoy it too.

Joanne Fitzpatrick, who lives here in Fayetteville, called me on the phone about the Norris Candy Company article. She also later wrote a letter and paid me a visit, bringing "goodies" which, I'm sure, will be very valuable in helping me to find my Norris relatives. Joanne's father, Glenn Ellis, worked there for a time in the early 1920s and that's where he met his future wife. But, I'll let Joanne tell it in her own words:

"Dear Mrs. Kilgore,

"Your articles of Norris Candy company brought back many memories of my parents, Glenn A. Ellis and Ruth Presley Ellis.

"When I was young, I loved to hear them tell the story of how they met. My dad worked at Norris in various capacities from 1923 until the end of 1931. I do not know the year that my mother went to work there, but the story they told was that mother worked in the plant. One day, on a dare from the other girls, she slid down the chute used to send boxes (of candy) down to be loaded on the trucks. She was caught doing this and was sent to the office. Daddy was the office manager at this time. They bandaged her elbows and gave her a warning about safety.

"Daddy was a young widower and apparently was attracted to this beautiful girl from Marietta. I do not know how long they courted, but they married June 2, 1928. Mother stopped working there when they married and had the first of four daughters in 1929. They were: June (1929), Janet (1930), Joyce (1932), and Joanne (1934).

"By 1931, Daddy was assistant auditor. A few weeks before the third daughter was born (1932), Daddy was told that his job was being eliminated. [Note: Joanne explained to me that the depression caused Norris to lay off many of its employees.] I have enclosed a copy of his letter of recommendation dated Dec. 28, 1931. It is signed by C.D. Guerry, comptroller of Norris. Incidentally, the Norris stationery was exquisite.

"I have made copies of pictures that Daddy kept, made in the office and also in the plant. There also is a copy of an interesting letter to Daddy written Jan. 15, 1925, outlining job descriptions for various employees.

"Mother and Daddy survived the depression, even though he was out of work for a while in 1932. He went (to work for) The Prudential Insurance Company sometime in 1932 and was there when I was born in 1934. When Daddy retired from Prudential in 1963, he and Mother moved to Fayetteville and lived here until their deaths. Mother died in 1968 and Daddy in 1973.

"I hope you will find the pictures and letters informative and interesting.

"Joanne E. Fitzpatrick, Fayetteville"

In Joanne's correspondence and during our conversation, more information came to light about her father. For those of you putting stories together on your families, this might be something you can use.

Glenn Ellis was born June 7, 1897, He was graduated from Martin Institute in 1917 and was the class valedictorian. He came to Atlanta about 1917 and lived with his "Aunt Mollie" near Grant Park. Joanne's notes say he enlisted in the Navy in 1918 and was discharged in 1919. Joanne says her research indicates that her father was in the real estate business early on, possibly after his discharge from the Navy. Joanne feels he must have studied real estate during this time and thinks he may have been in the real estate business before he went to work for Norris. Her records show he was at one time with the K.S. Brown Realty Co, in the Candler Building in Atlanta.

He enrolled at Georgia Tech and was graduated in 1927 with a Bachelor of Commercial Science degree. Joanne's notes also show that her father owned the "Downtown Pressing Club" on Houston St. in 1928.

In 1928, as was stated previously, he married Ruth Presley who was born Aug. 11, 1908.

Glenn Ellis worked for Prudential after leaving Norris in 1931, and retired in 1957. Joanne's notes indicate that he went into the real estate business after leaving Prudential and was a Georgia Real Estate Broker in 1964.

Joanne and her sisters are still going through her father's things (in Daddy's "trunk," as it was related to me) and probably have many more discoveries to make.

This is how it's done, folks. Every date, every scrap of paper holds a clue to the events in a person's life. A receipt, a note, a cancelled check, an old calendar, can all help you place your ancestors somewhere in time.

The photos Joanne shared with me may include one of Arthur Leland "Buddy" Norris, himself. Buddy, as you may recall, was the founder of Norris Candy Company in 1905.

I found another interesting clue the other day while browsing the 1920 Campbell County census. John G. Fowler (probably a junior), son of John and Nancy Leah Harper Fowler of Fayette County, was 26 years old and still living at home in Union City at that time. (John Fowler Sr. and Buddy Norris were first cousins, both being grandsons of John "Jethro" Norris.) John Fowler Jr.'s occupation was given as "merchant, owner of confectionery store." I couldn't help but wonder if John Jr. perhaps distributed candy for his cousin's candy company. It might bear checking out.

Joanne's generosity has given me many clues to aid me in my search for Norris family members. I am very grateful for her help.

I'm still looking for stories about your Georgia ancestors who lived in the Atlanta metro area. Send them to The Citizen, Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214; E-mail jkilgore@thecitizennews.com or jodiek444@aol.com.

Until next week, happy hunting!