Biography of Charles C. Miles

It is very gratifying to see so many enterprising and sagacious young men taking up business and residence in Nez Perces County, and a real leader in these qualities mentioned is the subject of this article. He is postmaster at Webb, having been the moving spirit in getting the office established. In addition to that he handles a general merchandise business and his fair dealing, his uprightness, and his differential treatment of customers have given him a good patronage that is constantly increasing. He also handles a farm, having a fine estate well improved and stocked with cattle, horses and hogs. Thus it is seen that Mr. Miles is one of the leading men of this section, is an active, public minded, and capable young man of excellent standing.

We note that Charles C. Miles was born in Wise County, Texas, on October 30, 1874, being the son of John and Caroline (King) Miles. The father was a farmer, born in Marion County, Missouri, a pioneer of Texas and a soldier in the Civil War, being in Company E, First Arkansas Cavalry. The grandfather was killed at the battle of New Orleans. His great grandfather, although the son of a slave owner, grew up believing that slavery was wrong and left home on account of his sentiments. The father was sheriff of Parker County, Texas, and is now living in Douglas County, Oregon. His birth occurred in 1844. The mother of our subject was born in Missouri, on April 11, 1847.

When Charles was ten years of age the family removed to Colorado for his father’s health. Then they went to southern Idaho, later to northern California and finally settled in Myrtle Creek, Oregon, where they now live. Our subject was well educated in the various places where he lived and for years taught in Oregon, being numbered with the leading educators of the section. He went to Crook County, Oregon, later, and read law and then removed to Nez Perce County, where he took land. In 1898, when the Spanish War broke out, he was in the field plowing when he heard of it, and he immediately unhitched his teams, turning them on the range, leaving thirty acres of sowed grain uncovered, and at once went to enlist for the conflict.

He was a member of Company B, First Idaho Volunteers, and participated in the battle of Manila, helped take that town, fought with the insurgents there, was in the conflict at Santa Anna, and also at Caloocan. He returned in 1899, being discharged for disability. He afterwards went on to his ranch, opened a store, got his post office and has since done business there.

On May 10, 1900, Mr. Miles married Miss Sadie Fansler, at Lewiston. Her parents, Jesse and Amanda (Roy) Fansler, were born respectively in Virginia in 1849 and in West Virginia in 1864. Mrs. Miles was born in West Virginia in 1883. She has the following brothers and sisters: Camden, Zernie, Jessie M., Roy, Golden, William. Mr. Miles has the following named brothers and sisters: Telitha, John R., Ira, Harold, Rose and Arthur. By a previous marriage Mr. Miles has two children. Frances R. and John R. Mr. Miles has been elected justice of the peace but did not qualify. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. In political matters he is a staunch and active Republican. He takes great interest in the progress of all good measures, and is especially active in promoting good schools. He has been a member of the central committee from his precinct for two years.

Source: An Illustrated History of North Idaho: Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho; Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903

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