Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Portrait and Biographical Record of Northern Michigan Record Publishing Company, Chicago - 1895 -122- CHARLES C. DUNHAM. The name of this gentleman is well known, not only in Cadillac, the place of his residence but also throughout Wexford County, of which he is now serving his sixth term as Sheriff. He is one of the men - the bulwark of our nation, its mainstay and stronghold in trouble - who during our civil strife proved their patriotism and devotion to the nation by stepping to the front and going forth to meet the foe and punish the trai- tors who insulted our National honor by firing upon our flag. By his firmness in the administration and manage- ment of his official duties he has made himself deservedly popular with his constituents, which fact is evidenced by his repeated re-election to the office of Sheriff. In Hinckley, Medina County, Ohio, the subject of this sketch was born November 17, 1845, being a son of WILLIAM and JANE (CONANT) DUNHAM, natives of Pennsylvania. About 1853 his father brought the family to Michigan and settled near Grand Rapids. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and while thus engaged built a number of hotels between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. For twenty years he was in the banking business at Manistee, Mich., being a cashier for a number of years, and later President of the Bank of Manistee. The DUNHAM House in that village is named in his honor. For a time he filled the position of Presi- dent of the Fifth National Bank of Grand Rapids, and still makes his home in that city, being a present manager of the Dean Printing-office. In Masonic circles he is promi- nent, having attained the Thirty-third Degree in that fraternity. Politically he is a Republican, and while a resident of Manistee was one of the county officials. Through his energy and shrewd judgment he accumulated a large fortune, but lost much of his money in the failure of R. G. PETERS. The family of WILLIAM DUNHAM included five children, of whom our subject was the second. HENRY, the eldest, served in the war as a member of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry, and died some years later in Kalamazoo. JENNIE is the wife of A. J. HATCH, of Grand Rapids. PHOEBE married NELSON BROWN, of Kent County. JULIA is the wife of JOHN KINZIE, of Muskegon. The early years of our subject's life passed uneventfully until eighteen. In 1863 he enlisted as a mem- ber of Company L, Tenth Michigan Cavalry, and, being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, served until the close of the war. Near Henry C. H., Va., he was taken prisoner by the Confederates, but was held by them only one day. Returning to Michigan at the close of the Rebellion, Mr. DUNHAM began to read law at Wayland, but after a short time he removed to Winneconne, Wis., where he engaged as Superin- tendent of a shingle-mill. On his return to Michigan he settled in Manistee, where he embarked in the lumber busi- ness. In 1876 he came to Cadillac, where he was engaged in the manufacture of lumber, and also as a clerk in a grocery store. In 1878 he was elected Sheriff, and has served in that capacity the most of the time since. He was admitted to the Bar in 1882, but his official duties have consumed his attention to such an extent that he has never commenced the practice of his profession. In 1869 Mr. DUNHAM was united in marriage with Miss EMMA D. BUTTS, who was born in Lawton, Mich., and is a daughter of H. W. BUTTS. They are the parents of a daughter, EVA D. Socially our subject is a Knight-Templar Mason, and has served -------------------------------------------------------------- -123- as High Priest of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. He is also identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union Veteran Union, and the Uniformed Rank of Knights of Pythias, being Major of the latter organization. By all who know him he is regarded as a faithful and efficient officer and an honorable gentleman, and in the various relations of life, whether as citizen, friend, official, husband or father, he is respected by a wide circle of acquaintances, admired by his friends, and loved and hon- ored by his relatives. ==========================================================================