Charles Burkholder of this city has just been elected general manager of the Southern Power Company of Charlotte, N. C. and president of the Charlotte Street Railway company as well as several other holdings of the power company. The rise of Mr. Burkholder has been a steady one and due to nothing but him own ability. After graduating from the Sterling high school he went to Madison, where he completed a course. Upon his return he served one term as city engineer of sterling under his father, Hon. Christian C. Burkholder, who was then mayor. Mr. Burkholder later went to Peoria, where he commenced work for a manufacturing company, going from there to accept a better position with the General Electric company at Schnectdey, N. Y. Here he rose rapidly until he finally reached the position of assistant general manager.

About this time the Southern Power Co. composed largely of New York capitalists, found that they had a larger proposition on their hands than had been anticipated. Figuring on spending $20,000,000 in acquiring holdings in North Carolina, when $12,000,000 had been spent the financiers found that they could not get a man with the ability to handle the gigantic proposition of supplying power to the entire state of North Carolina. One man after another was tried and found lacking.

Finally, in desperation, they appealed to the general manager of the General Electric Co. “There is only one man in the United States with the ability to develop your scheme and save the money you have already spent,” said the general manager. “We want him,” responded the financiers. “But he chances to be my assistant,” answered the general manager, “and I don’t propose to let go of him unless he gets a salary in keeping with his position.” “He can name his own salary,” they answered.

And at his own figures Mr. Burkholder was engaged. He has been at Charleston six years. The Southern Power Co. has spent not only the original twenty millions and several millions besides. They have acquired all of the power plants and holdings with few exceptions throughout the state. Electric power is transmitted for several hundred miles. Some fifteen street railway companies receive their power from the company, while it lights a hundred cities. And the working head of the entire system is Charles Burkholder of this city.

Now, in return for his ability in organizing and developing their holdings, the gentlemen back of the project have elected the Sterling man as their general manager and have also made him president of six of their subordinate holdings. And, as before, he was hired at his own figures.

Contributed by Larry Reynolds / Sterling Daily Standard 17 March 1911