CHARLES MILES, of the highly esteemed gentlemen of Centralia, where he formerly carried on a prosperous business as a blacksmith. He was born across the water in Wales, June 20, 1820, and is the son of James Miles, who was born, reared and married in the above place.
Mrs. Celia (Williams) Miles, the mother of our subject, also hailed from Wales, and reared a large family of eight children, three of whom are living. James Miles was a shoemaker in his native country and resided there until his decease, in 1825. His good wife survived him many years, dying in Wales in 1874, when in her seventy-fourth year.
Charles, of this sketch, learned the trade of a blacksmith in Wales, and on coming to America, in 1850, first located in New Jersey, where he was engaged at his trade for about six months. Then going to Pottsville, Pa., he remained there only six weeks, when we next find him in Pittsburg. After numerous attempts to find a good opening for his line of work, Mr. Miles went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and made his home in that city until 1856, when he came to Centralia.
While residing in the Queen City, our subject was married to Miss Mary, the daughter of David Jones, also a native of Wales, who came to America eleven years prior to the sailing of Mr. Miles. After his advent into this city, our subject engaged to work in the shops of the Illinois Central Railroad, and was in that company's employ for two years. Then joining a colony going to Pike's Peak, he entered the gold mines, but at the expiration of eleven months returned to Centralia.
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Miles, three of whom are deceased.
Mr. Miles always votes with the Republican party, and during the late war was made foreman of the blacksmith shops at Memphis, Tenn., in the navy yards of the Government.
Charles Miles is a member of the Baptist Church and lias been a Deacon of that denomination for the past twenty years.
He is one of the oldest residents of the city, and by its citizens is looked upon with great respect. He owns a twenty-seven acre fruit farm in Centralia Township, upon which, besides cultivating the smaller fruits, he raises many bushels of fine apples.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 371 & 372
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer