From History of Grant County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 970.

CHARLES RODOLF, Muscoda; was born at Zurzach, in the canton of Aargan, Switzerland, in the year 1818; his early education was received here; at the age of 11, he attended the high school in his native town, and when 16 years age, commenced the study of law with his uncle, Henry Rodolf; two years later, young Charles quitted Switzerland, sailing for the new land of promise, America; he landed at New Orleans in December, 1833, and immediately took passage up the river for St. Louis; arriving at that city, he attended school for a short time, when he made a second move, coming to Wisconsin and located at Wiota, La Fayette Co., where he commenced farming during the year 1834; in 1837, young Rodolf went to Muscoda, then a small settlement of a few houses, and engaged with Col. William S. Hamilton, the then proprietor of the place, he remained here eight months, during which time he devoted his leisure moments to reading law; returning to his farm, he engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1840, when he removed to Mineral Point, taking an interest in a store with his brother, Theodore Rodolf; two years later, Mr. Rodolf opened a store of his own at Centerville, and commenced operations in mining for lead, and the succeeding year ran a smelting furnace at Wingville; about this time, he began to put his legal knowledge to the proof by engaging in mineral cases before the Justices' courts; in 1852, Mr. Rodolf purchased the Eagle Mills and moved to Richland Co.; this same year he was admitted to the bar; up to 1858, he remained a citizen of this county, engaging in various mercantile pursuits; the year succeeding his removal (1853), Mr. Rodolf was elected Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Richland Co., a most flattering testimonial of the confidence and esteem he had in so short a time inculcated in the minds of his neighbors and constituents; previous to his removal from Iowa Co., he had been elected to the Assembly from the Northern District of Iowa Co.; in 1858, he was again returned to the same body, this time from Richland Co., and, during the years 1859-60, he served as State Senator for the Fifteenth District, comprising the counties of Iowa and Richland; in 1864, Mr. Rodolf was nominated for member of Congress from the Third District on the Democratic ticket, but was not elected; the later fortunes of Mr. Rodolf were cast in Muscoda, at which village he continued the mercantile business until 1876, and where he has since resided; in 1875, he was elected Chairman of the Town Board, which position he held with credit to himself and advantage to the town until 1879; he was re-elected again the present year to the same position.

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