Charles Spofford, harness and carriage manufacturer, is contributing his full quota to the interests of Warren City, where he is accounted as one of its most energetic and successful business men. He is a native of this State, having been born in the then little town of Griggsville, Pike County, March 12, 1845. There the first five years of his life were spent, and then his parents removed first to Galena, and thence to Platteville, Wis. From the latter place, five years later, they changed their residence to Madison, Wis., and in this place Charles F. completed the rudiments of a practical education.

The father of our subject, not yet quite satisfied with his surroundings, removed once more, this time to St. Paul, Minn., but finally returned to Galena, and Charles F, added to his store of knowledge by an attendance for a time at the High School. He came to Warren City in 1860, beginning his business career as an apprentice to the harness trade under the instruction of his father. He completed it with C. R. Perkins, of Galena, then returning to his father, remained with the latter in his shop until Dec. 20, 1863.

The Civil War being now in progress, and there seeming little prospect of its immediate close, young Spofford enlisted, in December 1863, 46th Illinois Infantry, which was assigned to the 2d Brigade, 4th Division, 17th Corps, Army of the Mississippi. On the 11th of February, the regiment left Camp Butler by rail via Decatur, and at Cairo embarked on the steamer "Belle of Memphis," with orders to proceed up the Cumberland. The 14th of February found them three miles below Ft. Donelson. whence they marched to the headquarters of Gen. Grant. The regiment was assigned to the command of Gen. Lew. Wallace, and ordered to the front. The 12th of March found them at Savanna, and on the 6th and 7th of April following they participated in the battle of Shiloh. Next they moved upon Corinth, and finally went into camp at Pea Ridge, where they remained until the 4th of May. On the 8th of that month they advanced two miles toward Corinth, on the 9th were pressed back three miles, and operated in that locality until the 2d of June. On the 11th they constructed a bridge over the Hatchie River, and went into camp at Cold Springs. Their next important movement was upon Memphis, Tenn., and after considerable maneuvering, which lasted until the 4th of October, they were ordered to Corinth, and participated in the thickest of the fight at Hatchie's Run. Thence they marched from Bolivar to La Grange Tenn., where they sojourned until the latter part of November, and on the 10th of December reached Waterford, Miss., where they prepared to spend the winter, putting the camp into shape, and making themselves generally quite comfortable. Their expectations, however, were doomed to' disappointment, as they suddenly received marching orders. They halted at Taylor Station on the Mississippi Central Railroad, and remained there until December 26 as merry as possible. On the 6th of January they were sent to Holly Springs, and from there to guard an ammunition train at La Grange, Tenn. Next they went into camp at Memphis, where they remained until May 13, then took up their line of march for the city of Vicksburg. Mr. Spofford was mustered out of the service Jan. 20, 1866, having participated in all the marches and engagements of his regiment during its long and honorable service; after which he made his way to Freeport, IL, and in due time resumed the peaceful pursuits of civil life.

Settling again in Warren our subject engaged in the harness business, which he has since prosecuted, adding later to his transactions the manufacture of carriages and buggies. For two years he operated with his father, but since that time has been alone.

He uniformly votes with the Republican party, and, although by no means an office-seeker, lias officiated as a member of the Village Board, and occupied other positions where he could be of service in building up the interests of his adopted town. In religious matters Mr. Spofford has for many years been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, holding the offices of Steward. Class-Leader, and Superintendent of the Sunday-school, the latter a period of nine years, lie has taken an especial interest in the religious instruction of the young, and for the last seven years has been President of the County Sunday-school Association. He had the honor of organizing the county into township associations, visiting each portion of it. and holding conventions, and has had the satisfaction of witnessing their permanent establishment, they being now in full operation. He has been sent as a delegate to the various Sunday- school conventions a number of limes, and in this capacity attended the International Convention at Chicago in 1887. Wherever there was the remotest possibility of being able to maintain a Sunday- school, Mr. Spofford has assisted in organizing one. and done whatever lay in his power to perpetuate it. Socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F., the A.O.U. W., and the G. A. R., being in the first a presiding officer, in the second a financier, and in the third quartermaster.

The 22d of April, 1866, was made memorable to our subject by his marriage with Miss Lilly M. Jones, and they are now the parents of three interesting children, a daughter and two sons—Florence L., James R.. and William C. They have been given a good education, and still remain under the parental roof. James R. is learning harness-making with his father. The family residence is pleasantly located on Chestnut street, and was erected by Mr. Spofford in 1870.

Mrs. Lilly M. (Jones) Spofford was born in December. 1844. in Cincinnati. Ohio, and is the daughter of William and Catherine Jones, the father a native of Ireland. He emigrated to America after marriage, and spent the latter part of his life in this State engaged as a mason. His estimable wife is deceased.

Augustus F. Spofford, the father of our subject, was born in Massachusetts in 1815. He was there reared to manhood, and married Miss Martha Perkins, a native of the same count}', and by whom he became the father of nine children, eight of whom are still living, those besides our subject making their homes mostly in Iowa and Wisconsin. The family can;c to Illinois at an early day. the father engaging in the shoe and leather business at Griggsville. His later removals we have already noted, lie retired from active business, and died in Warren, in April. 1877. The mother is still living, making her home with her daughter. Mrs. I). II. Butler, in Madison, Wis.

Mr. Spofford, in common with most other men. has met with his losses. On the 6th of May, 1887, his stock and buildings were destroyed by fire, there being nothing saved whatever, and only partly insured. In December, 1888, there was completed a One new building upon the site of the old, and business is once more booming. The fact that Mr. Spofford is highly spoken of by all who know him is sufficient indication of his standing among his fellow-citizens.

Transcribed by Christine Walters -- Portraits and Biographical 1889