Charles was 5 ft. 11 in. tall and weighed 195-210 pounds. He had dark brown hair and deep set brown eyes and was of fair complexion. He was right-handed. In temperament he was quick, moderately nervous, a kindly, quiet, considerate man.

He was born in St. Clairsville, Bedford Co., Pa., and lived in Schellburg for ten years. He moved to Yellow Creek in 1865, livving there for 23 years, then to Schellburg for three years and to Mann's Choice for four years. He then went to Newcomerstown, Ohio, where he lived for about 40 years. In later years he lived with his daughter in Uhrichsville, Ohio.

He was good at calculating and invention of original devices. He was a good observer, an ingenious workman, and invented a number of articles which he manufactured. Among these were a handy folding clothes rack and a folding ironing board which he patented and numerous other articles which were not patented. These articles facilitated work in the home and occupied a minimum of space when not in use.

In the year 1876-1877 he taught school in the school building near the Brode homestead a short distance out of Saxton, Pa. For a number of years he was engaged in the production of pig iron, working in various capacities at the Riddlesburg, Pa., furnace. He was a storekeeper for four years (Gen. Merch. and Grocery). For four years he was with the U. S. Internal Revenue Service in the office of store keeper and gager. He was with a produce company for 14 years and spent ten years working on specialties in wood.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and an elder for many years, serving in numerous other capacities in church work. He was a member of fraternal organizations, I.O.O.F., M.W.A., K.O.T.M. In politics he was a Democrat, but in later life, "he stood for the best man, regardless of party".

His health in early life was good but he was subject to quinsy and chronic catarrh which he felt caused dullness of hearing in later years. He lived to be nearly 88 years old and was seriously ill only about a month before he died.