Charles was a teacher, a Civil War hero, a successful businessman, and a family man. He was the fifth child born to Dorliska Bates and John Stevenson in Ohio. When he was 5, his family brought him to Monroe Iowa. He was educated at home with private teachers. At age 16 he received the first teacher's certificate granted in Monroe County and was elected to teach in his home district.
In 1862, in the midst of the strife between the North and South, Charles interrupted his teaching to enlist in Company D, 22nd Iowa Volunteers. His regiment was in some of the hardest campaigns of the war. in 1864, he was captured in battle and suffered for 7 months in Southern prisons - Libby, Salisbury and Anderson. It is reported that he saved comrades' lives by dividing his rations with them.
Back home, after being mustered out of the military in June 1865, Charles resumed his teaching career, first in his home district and then at the much larger district school with 128 pupils. Sadly, health problems linked to his time in prison, forced him to give up the schoolroom, which he loved.
At age 21 Charles married Ellen Swope one of his pupils, who, according to Charles, was the "prettiest girl in the county." They had 9 children who were well educated. Some became successful teachers in Wapello and Monroe Counties.
In his 20s, after leaving the classroom, Charles entered the business world and became a successful horticulturist. The Avery Valley Fruit Farm, which he created, was well regarded. He was a member of the Baptist church and active in the community, especially regarding continually improving the quality of education in the schools.
Source: Biographical and Genealogical History of Appanoose and Monroe Counties. Compiled by S. Thompson Lewis. 1903, pp 609-612
In 1862, in the midst of the strife between the North and South, Charles interrupted his teaching to enlist in Company D, 22nd Iowa Volunteers. His regiment was in some of the hardest campaigns of the war. in 1864, he was captured in battle and suffered for 7 months in Southern prisons - Libby, Salisbury and Anderson. It is reported that he saved comrades' lives by dividing his rations with them.
Back home, after being mustered out of the military in June 1865, Charles resumed his teaching career, first in his home district and then at the much larger district school with 128 pupils. Sadly, health problems linked to his time in prison, forced him to give up the schoolroom, which he loved.
At age 21 Charles married Ellen Swope one of his pupils, who, according to Charles, was the "prettiest girl in the county." They had 9 children who were well educated. Some became successful teachers in Wapello and Monroe Counties.
In his 20s, after leaving the classroom, Charles entered the business world and became a successful horticulturist. The Avery Valley Fruit Farm, which he created, was well regarded. He was a member of the Baptist church and active in the community, especially regarding continually improving the quality of education in the schools.
Source: Biographical and Genealogical History of Appanoose and Monroe Counties. Compiled by S. Thompson Lewis. 1903, pp 609-612
Charles was a teacher, a Civil War hero, a successful businessman, and a family man. He was the fifth child born to Dorliska Bates and John Stevenson in Ohio. When he was 5, his family brought him to Monroe Iowa. He was educated at home with private teachers. At age 16 he received the first teacher's certificate granted in Monroe County and was elected to teach in his home district.
In 1862, in the midst of the strife between the North and South, Charles interrupted his teaching to enlist in Company D, 22nd Iowa Volunteers. His regiment was in some of the hardest campaigns of the war. in 1864, he was captured in battle and suffered for 7 months in Southern prisons - Libby, Salisbury and Anderson. It is reported that he saved comrades' lives by dividing his rations with them.
Back home, after being mustered out of the military in June 1865, Charles resumed his teaching career, first in his home district and then at the much larger district school with 128 pupils. Sadly, health problems linked to his time in prison, forced him to give up the schoolroom, which he loved.
At age 21 Charles married Ellen Swope one of his pupils, who, according to Charles, was the "prettiest girl in the county." They had 9 children who were well educated. Some became successful teachers in Wapello and Monroe Counties.
In his 20s, after leaving the classroom, Charles entered the business world and became a successful horticulturist. The Avery Valley Fruit Farm, which he created, was well regarded. He was a member of the Baptist church and active in the community, especially regarding continually improving the quality of education in the schools.
Source: Biographical and Genealogical History of Appanoose and Monroe Counties. Compiled by S. Thompson Lewis. 1903, pp 609-612
In 1862, in the midst of the strife between the North and South, Charles interrupted his teaching to enlist in Company D, 22nd Iowa Volunteers. His regiment was in some of the hardest campaigns of the war. in 1864, he was captured in battle and suffered for 7 months in Southern prisons - Libby, Salisbury and Anderson. It is reported that he saved comrades' lives by dividing his rations with them.
Back home, after being mustered out of the military in June 1865, Charles resumed his teaching career, first in his home district and then at the much larger district school with 128 pupils. Sadly, health problems linked to his time in prison, forced him to give up the schoolroom, which he loved.
At age 21 Charles married Ellen Swope one of his pupils, who, according to Charles, was the "prettiest girl in the county." They had 9 children who were well educated. Some became successful teachers in Wapello and Monroe Counties.
In his 20s, after leaving the classroom, Charles entered the business world and became a successful horticulturist. The Avery Valley Fruit Farm, which he created, was well regarded. He was a member of the Baptist church and active in the community, especially regarding continually improving the quality of education in the schools.
Source: Biographical and Genealogical History of Appanoose and Monroe Counties. Compiled by S. Thompson Lewis. 1903, pp 609-612
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