PAUL, CHARLES EDWARD. - The various activities which have attracted the attention and benefitted by the exertions of Charles Edward Paul, have stamped him as one of the energetic, progressive and capable business men of Cass County. Farming and merchandising have both been mediums through which he has gained success, and while he is now somewhat retired, he still owns large interests, and also he has found the time and had the inclination to serve his community in official capacities and to engage actively in fraternal and social life. Mr. Paul was born October 19, 1856, in Cass County, Ill., and is a son of Jacob Miller Paul.

The district schools of Cass County furnished Mr. Paul with his educational training, and, being reared to agricultural pursuits, he early adopted the vocation of farming and was successful in the accumulation of a handsome property of 100 acres, located in the vicinity of Virginia, the greater part of which is now rented out. During a period of twenty-five years he has been superintendent of a prosperous coal business at Virginia, which for twenty five years has been located at the station of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, but he has recently disposed of his interests therein, having decided to retire from business life. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and has served his community as treasurer for one term and as alderman of Virginia for two terms. Or four years. In fraternal affairs he has taken a prominent part, being a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, treasurer of the local lodge of Masons for six years, and a member of the Odd Fellows for a period of thirty-five years, having passed through all the chairs and represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State. For thirty years he has been a member of the Christian church, in the work of which he has taken an active part, and during the past twenty years has served as deacon.

Mr. Paul was married in 1878 to Miss Addie M. Dean, daughter of James Dean, and to this union there have been born three children: Stella, who is now Mrs. Fred Fisher, of Virginia; Harry E., who is engaged in the hardware and plumbing business at Carey, Ohio; and Nellie L., who is the wife of Edgar W. Bishop, of Independence, Iowa.