Biographical Dictionary of Well-Known British Columbians (1890)
Norris, George (Nanaimo), son of the late William George Norris, merchant,
was born at London, England, on the 20th of April 1845. Shortly after his birth
his parents emigrated to Canada and Mr. Norris was educated at the Model School,
Toronto. In 1863, at the age of eighteen years, he left Ontario for British Columbia,
coming by way of Panama. When he arrived at Victoria he obtained a position on the
Chronicle, a newspaper conducted by Messrs. Higgins & McMillan. The
Chronicle was finally merged into the Colonist and he then secured a
position on the Colonist. In 1874 he left Victoria and went to Nanaimo where
he established his present newspaper the Free Press. Until 1888 the
Free Press was issued semi-weekly but on September 4th of that year it
was changed to a daily. Mr. Norris is Liberal-Conservative in politics, but has
not apart from his position as editor of his paper taken an active part in public
matters. Through the columns of his journal he advocates what is for the best
interests of Nanaimo and the welfare of the Province at large. He occupies positions
on the boards of several corporations and is regarded as a shrewd businessman. He is
a member of the Order of Oddfellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Fire
Brigade. In 1869 he married, Miss Gough, eldest daughter of Mr. Edwin Gough of Nanaimo.
[Dictionary, pp. 265-266].
Biographical Dictionary of Well-Known British Columbians. With a Historical Sketch. By J.B. Kerr (Vancouver, B.C.: Kerr & Begg, 1890).