My Genealogy Hound

Charles Emerson, whose labors have in many directions been of material benefit to the city of Creston, where he makes his home, and who is popular in fraternal and social circles, was born on a farm in Clarke county, Iowa, May 31, 1858, but on the 27th of December of the following year his parents removed with their family to Union county, so that practically his entire life has been passed here.

His father, Francis Marion Emerson, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1825, and died on the 3d of April, 1884, at Afton, Iowa, when fifty-nine years of age. In 1847 in Ohio he was married to Miss Susan Hunt and for many years they traveled life’s journey happily together. In 1850, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he went to the west by the overland route and remained for six years on the Pacific coast. He then returned by way of the isthmus route and located in Clarke county, Iowa, but soon afterward came to Union county. In early life he was a miller, and following his removal to Union county he established a little grist and saw mill on the Grand river. He twice served as county auditor through election of his fellow townsmen and proved a capable official in that position. It was following his election that he retired from the milling business and removed to Afton, then the county seat. He not only served as auditor for two terms-but was also elected to the office of mayor, and faithfully discharged the duties of chief executive of Afton. His family numbered six children, all of whom survive.

Charles Emerson was largely reared in Union county. In his early boyhood days, while his father was engaged in the milling business, he attended the country schools and, following the removal of the family to Afton, he continued his education in the high school there to the age of sixteen years, when he began teaching in the district schools. For seventeen years he followed that profession through the winter months, while in the summer season he worked at farm labor. Thus his time and attention were occupied until 1890, when he was elected superintendent of schools of Union county and served for three terms, or six years, his re-election being conclusive evidence of his capability and trustworthiness in office and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. On his retirement from office he went upon the road selling county superintendent’s supplies for a Chicago house and was so engaged for six months, when he turned his attention to his present business. In connection with his son Roy he is engaged in the undertaking business being the leading funeral directors of Creston, and he is also engaged in the manufacture of picture frames and window shades, receiving a liberal patronage in both branches of his business. For two years he served as president of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association and at present is secretary and treasurer of that organization.

On the 1st of January, 1878, Mr. Emerson was married in Union county to Miss Kate Reasoner, a daughter of John Reasoner, and they have one son, Roy Ivan Emerson, born September 24, 1880. He was married in Creston in 1906, to Miss Nellie Thurber.

Mr. Emerson is prominent and popular in fraternal circles, being identified with various organizations. He has taken high rank in Masonry. He is a past worshipful master in the local lodge and past junior grand warden of the grand lodge of Iowa. He is also a past high priest of Algabil Chapter, No. 121, R. A..M., and belongs to Tyrian Council, No. 11, R. & S. M., while his lodge relationship is with Crest City Lodge, No. 522, A. F. & A. M. He has taken the Knight Templar degree in the commandery, No. 29, of which he is a past eminent commander. He likewise belongs to the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of the World and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in his life is true to the teachings and tenets of these orders, which are based upon brotherly kindness and mutual helpfulness. He was largely instrumental in the building of the Masonic Temple at Creston, acting as chairman of the organization formed for that purpose. In politics Mr. Emerson is equally well known and is an ardent republican, inflexible in his support of the principles of the party. Whatever success he has attained is attributable to the close and assiduous attention he has paid to his business in principle and detail. Courteous, genial, well informed, alert and enterprising, he stands today as one of the representative men of Creston.