ALBERT PRIEST CHARLES

Albert Priest Charles, son of Ambrose and Besmath (Dickey) Charles, was born January 26, 1840, at Lowell, Massachusetts. He commenced his classical education at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, and entered college at the being of the Fall term, August 24, 1860.

Immediately after graduating, he commenced the study of law with Hon. Samuel N. Bell (class of 47), at Manchester, New Hampshire, remaining with him for three years, with the exception of the Winters, when he taught school at Gloucester, Massachusetts. He was admitted to the bar of Hillsborough county, Supreme Court of New Hampshire, in September, 1867.

He started West immediately, and located at Seymour, Indiana, October 14, 1867, where he has continued in the practice of his profession up to the present date. He holds a high rank as a citizen, as well as a lawyer, enjoying a lucrative practice, and possessing one of the largest and best selected law libraries in the State of Indiana. He was honored by his fellow citizens by an election to the office of Mayor of Seymour, from May, 1870, to May, 1872. He declined a reelection at the next term, but in May, 1874, he was again elected, and served two terms, until May, 1878, when he positively declined to again be a candidate, although persistently urged to do so.

In the Fall of 1880, he was the Republican nominee for Congress from his District, and made an active and laborious canvass. This District is the greatest Democratic stronghold in the State, and he was defeated by his Democratic opponent, as he expected to be, but by a very largely decreased Democratic majority, running far ahead of his ticket, polling a larger vote than any Republican candidate that ever preceded him.

He was a member of the Board of Trustees, and Treasurer of the School Board from June, 1880, to June, 1883, and was then reelected for the term ending in June, 1886. He is noted for his zeal in educational matters.

He is also the Attorney of several Building and Loan Associations, which aggregate a capital of over half a million dollars. He is the Attorney, Secretary and Treasurer of the Seymour and Jonesville Gravel Road Company; Secretary and Treasurer of the Seymour Gaslight and Coke Company, and Attorney for the Seymour Amusement Association.

He has taken an active and deep interest in Freemasonry, making a careful and thorough study of its workings. His library contains nearly one hundred and fifty bound volumes of Masonic literature, not including innumerable reports in pamphlet form.

He has held the following offices: In the Grand Lodge of Indiana, he was Grand Lecturer from 1875-7; Grand Marshal, 1877-8; Junior Grand Warden, from 1879-80; Senior Grand Warden from 1880-2; Deputy Grand Master from 1882-3, and Grand Master in 1884.

In the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, he was Grand King from 1880-1; Deputy Grand High Priest from 1881-2, and Grand High Priest from 1882-3.

In the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, he was Grand Principal Conductor of the Work from 1875-6; Illustrious Master from 1876-7; Deputy Illustrious Grand Master from 1877-8, and Illustrious Grand Master from 1878-9.

He is very pleasantly situated, as some of us who have visited him can testify. His home is a model one, and abounds with every convenience that good taste can suggest.

He was married October 27, 1874, to Miss Belle C. Thurston, of Seymour, Indiana.

They have had four children: George McC., born April 26, 1876; Albert P., born October 19, 1879; Frank C., born April 22, 1882, and a boy, born March 7, 1884.

Frank C. died October 26, 1882.

Submitted by Deborah Crowell