He learned the trade of shoemaking when young, later established himself as a shoe merchant. He went to Port Huron MI with his brother where he was in the shoe business (1863 MI Business Directory: "Bockius & Bro (Henry J and Charles J), boot and shoe makers, and hats and caps, Military" p. 449)

Served in the 22 Michigan Infantry for 3 years in the Civil War (listed in the Civil War pension index). Was a staff officer rising from private to first lieutenant; his regiment participated in the battles of Chickamauaga, Missionary Ridge, and in the fall of Atlanta. (Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the US, Commandery of the state of IN, in memoriam-companion-Charles J. Bockius, circular #9, series of 1918, Whole #401.)

After the war, he moved to Chicago and worked as a watchmaker. His daughter Mary L. Bockius was born in Michigan in 1866, perhaps when the family was living in Chicago. After living in Chicago for a year, the family moved to New York City, where Charles worked as a watchmaker for 4 years. Sons John Charles (b. 14 Sep 1868) & James (b. 1870) were born in New York City. The family moved back to Chicago around 1872, where daughters Helen Rose (b. 1874) & Henrietta (b. Oct 1876) were born; son John Charles died in Chicago in Nov. 1876. Charles worked as watchmaker in Chicago for 3 years before joining the Marietta Barge Line Co. as Secretary and Treasurer about 1875. He moved to Canton, Stark OH in 1881 to join his brother Lewis as partner in the family shoe business. He later joined The Canton Glass Company (founded in 1883) in Canton OH, and moved to the company’s new location in Marion, Indiana after the Canton factory burned down March 23, 1890. He was Secretary and Treasurer of The Canton Glass Company in Marion, Indiana from 1890-1899. He was a member of the G.A.R. and held an interest in the Canton Glass Company.

Married Helen Mar Garlick on September 26, 1864 in Macomb, MI.

Father of:
Mary Lee (Bockius) Rockhill (1846-1966)
John Charles Bockius (1868-1876)
James Henderson Bockius (1870-1920)
Helen Rose Bockius (1874-1882)
Henrietta Louise (Bockius) Stoolmiller (b. 1876)
Caroline Lois (Bockius) Williams (b. 1880)

Grave includes: Adolph Bockius, Sivilla Bockius, Caroline (Bockius) Williams, Catherine A. Bockius, Charles J. Bockius, Cornelius Bockius, Edward A. Bockius, Elizabeth Bockius, Helen BOckius, John C. Bockius, Lewis A. Bockius, Nellie Bockius, Rosanna Bockius, Valentine Bockius, Wm. H. Bockius.