The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1919-04-24
Former Alderman, School
Commissioner and Water
Commissioner Died At His
Home This Morning.
LONG IN PUBLIC SERVICE
Served In Many Capacities and Had
Much TO DO With Advancement Of
Big Movements In Kenosha- Promi-
nent In Church Work.
(F'rom Tuesdays Daily)

L
James Fl. Charles, aged " years,
prominent in the business and official
life of Kenosha for nearly half CEN
fury died at his home 424 Exchange
street just before seven clock this
morning. He had been in failing
health for several years and on last
Thursday he was stricken with paraly-
sis and the immediate cause Of his
death was hemofrhage Of the brain.
The death of Mr.. Charles marks the
passing of man who had been prom
inent in the business and official life of
Kenosha for nearly half a century and
who had a big part in movements for
the betterment of the city.
He served in many official capacities
having been member Of the Com
mon Council, the Board Of Education,
the County Board of Supervisors and
for nearly a decade member of the
Kenosha Board Of Water Commission
ers.
Bringing to the public service a high
Intelligence and splendid grasp of the
future possibilities Of Kenosha he
had much to do with big movements
for the advancement of the city and
county. In his public work on vari-
GUS board and organizations he always
enjoyed the full confidence Of the peo-
pie. He served as president of the
Board of Education, as chairman of
the County Board and as president of
the Board Of Water Commissioners.
It was during his tenure in office
with the Water Board that the big
movement for the building of the new
and modern plant was started and he
watched with great interest the COM
pletion of these plans.
James Hamburg Charles was a ma
tive of England and he was born on
January 10, 1912. He was educated in
England and he came to this country
just before he attained his majority
and settled in Racine. In Waukegan
on October IL, 1871, Mr.. Charles was
married to Miss Cory Felicia Porter
and their honeymoon trip brought them
to Kenosha and they had since resid-
ed in Kenosha. Mr.. Charles was O.
pioneer soap manufacturer in this sec
ton Of The country. He went into this
business shortly after he came to Ke-
nosha and he continued to carry on
the business until 1910 when he re-
tired.
He was active in all movements for
the advancement of Kenosha and out
side Of the duties Of the various Off
ces he held he gave much to the pro-
motion of worthy causes in the city.
lie was one of the most active mem
bers of ST Matthew's parish and for
many years he was a member of the
Vestry and served as Junior Warden
of the congregation.
He was one of the leading members
of the Republican party in this sec
ton of Wisconsin and for many years
he held high place in the councils Of
his party.
de is survived by his widow, two
sons, William I'll. Charles of Riverside,
H., and James Ell. Charles Jr., of Ce-
dar Rapids, Ia, and two daughters,
Mrs. William f. Anklam of Detroit,
Mich, and Miss Frances Charles of
Kenosha.
On account of the illness OF Mrs.
Charles the funeral services will be
private. They will be held atsthe late
residence on Exchange street at three
o clock Thursday afternoon and the
remains will be laid at rest at Green
Ridge.
The announcement of the death Of
Mr.. Charles brought deep sorrow
throughout Kenosha. As a tribute to
his long public service the flags on
the city hall and at the county build
ing were placed at half mast following
the announcement of his death and Of
fcials of the city and county sent
messages of sympathy to the stricken
family.