This summary of the life of fourth President of the Norwich Rotary Club, Charles Saxton, comes from A Modern History of New London County, Connecticut, published in 1922.
CHARLES ADAMS SAXTON— At the head of the Saxton Woolen Corporation, of Norwich, stands Charles Adams Saxton, a representative manufacturer of New London county, Connecticut.
Charles Adams Saxton, son of Lewis J. and Sarah (Bingham) Saxton, (q. v.), was born in Norwich, on November 5, 1879. He received his early education in the public schools of the city, then prepared for a business career in the Norwich Commercial School. He then entered the mill with his father, but instead of taking a desk position, went into the various departments, making himself acquainted with the routine of each, and its relation to the office and the outside market, in fact, making himself thoroughly
familiar with woolen manufacture, down to the smallest detail. Next Mr. Saxton took up outside lines of business to become acquainted with general business principles and methods. He went to New York City in 1900, where he was employed for four years in the offices of the American Agricultural Chemical Company as clerk. Following that he became a salesman on the road for the Underwood Typewriter Company, winning from this experience a vast amount of valuable business knowledge, to say noth-
ing of the intimate understanding he gained of the problems which, later on, his own salesmen would meet. Still further, Mr. Saxton went into the real estate business in New York City . This was in 1906, and he continued along this line until 1910, when Lewis J. Saxton bought the plant of the Clinton Mills Company, and the Saxton Woolen Corporation was formed. Mr. Saxton then returned to Norwich, to become secretary of the company, and upon his father’s death in 1912, he became president. This
splendid equipment, and long, definite training for such an executive position, have since told amazingly in the success of the company under Mr. Saxton’s presidency.Mr. Saxton does not allow all of his time to be absorbed in business. He has accepted public responsibility along various lines which need the balance of business judgment and executive ability. He was a member of the Board of Education from I918 to 1920, and also is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He is a trustee of the William Backus Hospital, of Norwich, and a trustee of the Norwich Dime Savings Bank. He has long been affiliated with the Republican party, and a sane, but enthusiastic leader in its ranks. He has wide social and fraternal connections; is a member of Crescent Lodge, No. 402, Free and Accepted Masons, of New York City; a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 430, of Norwich; a member of the Arcanum Club, and of the Golf Club. He also is chairman of the house committee of the Young Men’s Christian Association. He has not declined to become identified with Christian work, and is a member of the Washington Heights Methodist Episcopal Church of New York City.
Mr. Saxton married, in New York City, on October 19, 1905. Eleanor S. Bailey, daughter of James H. and May (Mulford) Bailey, of New York City.
Charles Saxton passed away on May 24th, 1958.