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 HARLES M. DOLE, a highly respected resident Of Mattoon, is a native of Terre Haute,
Ind., where his birth took place May 24,
1826. He is the seventh in a family of ten children born to Enoch and Harriett P. (Dexter) Dole,
a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this
volume. Our subject spent the greater part of his
time during his childhood and youth on the farm
of his father in Indiana, and came to Illinois in
1851, when about twenty-five years of age. He first
engaged with his two brothers trading in cattle and
hogs, which he followed quite successfully until
1852, having no permanent residence. In the fall
of the yea,r mentioned they all settled on section 7,
Mattoon Township, where they kept “bachelor’s
hall,” and lived together until the marriage of the
brother, Stephen D. In 1874 or 1875 the brothers
divided their land and farmed separately. Charles M. Dole was one of the original platters of the town of Mattoon, and at the close of the war engaged there in banking. He was President of the First National Bank for a period of ten years and was otherwise identified with the most important business interests of the place. In company with his brother he built the “Dole House,” the largest hotel there, besides the Dole Opera House and many other prominent buildings in the city. He was thus engaged industriously until the fall of 1880, when advancing years admonished him that it would be wise to retire to a more quiet life. He accordingly moved to his farm on section 4, Mattoon Township, where he has since been a resident and is farming, enjoying all its comforts and the esteem and confidence of many friends. The marriage of Charles M. Dole and Miss Mary Palmer, of Clinton, Ind., took place at the home of the bride in 1849. This lady fell a victim to the cholera scourge one year later, leaving an infant son, Frank D., who now occupies a farm near that of his father. At the time of his sad affliction Mr. Dole was living in Terre Haute, where he and his brother were engaged in the livery business. Our subject several years later, in 1861, was again married, Miss Charity A. Blackman becoming his wife. This lady is the daughter of Remember B. and Lois Blackman, who were among the pioneer settlers of Edgar County, this State, and were numbered among the most highly respected members of the farming community. To Mr. and Mrs. Dole there were born two children, Charles E. and Mary B., both still at home with their parents. |
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