Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-13
Sketch of His Career.

Charles DENLY was man OF wide attain
ments and was at various periods OF his
career professor of college editor of
newspaper, lawyer. soldier, statesman and
diplomat. He was born at Mountjoy, Bote-
tourt county, Va, June 16. 1870. He was
the son of Nathaniel DENLY of Richmond,
Va, and Jane Harvey DENLY of Mountjoy.
The family is a well-known one in several
counties of Virginia. Charles edu
Gated at the academy at Taylorsville, Va;
at Georgetown College, in this city. and at
the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington,
Va. The Georgetown University in later
years conferred the degree of LID. upon
him.
He graduated in 1880 and Immediately
assumed the office of professor in the Ma
sonic University at Selma, Ala. In June.
1888, he went to Evansville, Ind, and acted
as editor of the Enquirer democratic
newspaper then just founded by John B.
Hall. He there learned to set type, and
frequently put his own editorials into type.
He began the study of law while editor of
this paper, and was tutored by Judge Ba-
ker of the firm of Baker K Garvin, in whose
office he spent a large part of his time. He
was admitted to the bar in 1850, and began
practice a Evansville in 1856. entering into
partnership with Judge James LockharJ.
In the fall of that year he was elected to
represent Vanderburg county in the state
legislature, receiving a large majority.
With the exception of a few years, while
collector of the port of Evansville under
the practice of law until the beginning of
the civil war.
Veteran of the Civil War.
Immediately after the fall of Fort Sumter
he raised regiment for service on the Dor
der, and drilled a large number of new
troops on the fair grounds near Evansville.
In September 1861, he was appointed by
Gov. Morton lieutenant colonel of the 42d
Indiana Volunteers. His regiment served IN
southern Kentucky. being with Crittenden's
division from Fort Donelson, and among
the first troops to reach Nashville. He
went with his regiment to Huntsville. Ala,
under Gen. Mitchell, and returned with Gen.
Buell. in the summer of 1862 in the pursuit
OF Bragg.
He was bruised by minnie ball and had
his horse killed under him at the battle of
Perryville, October 8, 1862. and a few days
afterward was appointed colonel of the
S0th Indiana. In February, 1863 he re-
signed from the United States service on a
surgeons certificate of disability and re-
turned TO the practice of law at Evansville.
President Cleveland appointed Col. DENLY
minister to China in 1855 and he held that
post until 1895 when President Mckinley
made him member of the commission ap-
pointed to investigate the conduct of the
war against Spain, the investigation being
brought about by the "embalmed beef
charges. He was also a member of the
Philippine commission. He was a delegate
at large from Indiana to the two national
democratic conventions held in 1876 and
1854. Col DENLY charter member of
Farragut Post, G. A. R., and greatly re-
spected by his comrades.
In 1858, whiles practicing law at Evans
Vile. he was married to Martha Fitch,
eldest daughter of Graham n. and Harriet
S. Fitch of Logansport Eight children
were born to him. of whom six still are
living.
Mrs. DENLY is now at Evansville, Ind,
where Col. DENLY made his home.