Telegram-herald., 1890-09-03
A NoBLK LIFE
a short Biography Of oar NsHt Con
ereS~uSn.

snort bios phK OF oar SET sNo-
grrs~mSn.
Charles " Watkins VAS born 81 East
salem, Washington county, New YORK
MaFc6 &, l,s4. lbs father died ga lsa3,
leaving tae mother and three children
10 prov lde tor themselves. Charles al
tended the common school and the
academy al Cambridge, \. a, until ~
years % age, but came Nest ln soo and
settled with BIS mother on = farm lA
Leighton, Aliegan county, about twenty
miles south OF ghls city. he worked ca
tAe farm until ls5s, attending school
for one term during the winter. He
started out for himself al the age Of -,
and during the winter OF 1857 worked
IN IA shingle mill OF Hoyt Bros. at Way.
land. Mich. lie worked on farm ln
Portage, Kalamazoo county. durng
the summer OF 1858 Tor . a month, and
on farm near Rome. Ind, during tie
following summer for s. a month. In
the fa!l be returned 10 Michigan and
again worked for Hoyt Bros. packing
Shingles. He worked for the kaianla-
zoo Stage Company IN the barn now &C
cupled 10y Tab3r's hack line, near the
Morton House during the fan and winter
Of 1861, and IN the old National Hotel, /,
where the Morton House now stands,
fort. III. Rathburn until the summer
following. August 5, 1862, he enlisted
as private IA Company b, Sixth Mich
igan Cavalry; serving IN the ranks until
May, 1864. when he was promoted 10
the lieutenancv OF the Tenth Michigan
Cavalry. On March l3, 1865, he WAS
brevetted captain for gallantry IN action
~ hf.ef -
Creek, North Carolina"
egAfter the war be worked IN mer-
cantlle house III Philadelphia for a
year, and IN 1867 he settled IN business
at Wayland, Michigan, where he re-
mained SIX years. In 1873 he moved 10
this city and engaged IL business, and
has since resided here. lie represented
Allegan county IN the State Legislature
for TWO terms, having been elected
when but 20 years Of age. lie was ap-
pointed Dy President Arthur collector
OF internal revenue for this district IN
September, 1882; held office until May,
1855, when ne resigned voluntarily be
cause of his feeling that the Democrats
were entitled 10 the office. For tins ac-
ton at that time he received warm COM
mendation from public men OF both
parties. Always a kiAUnCn iCpubii1ahb .
he is q great admirer OF the men who
have been leaders Of the party from
Lincoln TO Harrison.
lie is at present engaged III the insur-
| ance business in this city, having been
very successful in building up large
clisntage. He has to a marked degree
| the confidence and esteem Of his fel-
| lows, is identified with number of
enterprises in the city, Is director IN the
| KentFurniture company Gleason Wood
Ornament company, treasurer OF the
| Mutual Loan and Savings Association,
and: director of the Fourth National
| Bank.
His early struggles for a livelihood
| have placed him IN the fullest sym
| pathy with men who perform honest
toll IS their pursuit. He appreciates
the honor that his fellow-citizens have
conferred upon him, and contrasts j;
with the time, only a few years ago
never dreaming the day would come
when he would be honored by his party
| with the nomination for Congressman
from the important Fifth district oi
Michigan.