My Genealogy Hound

Thomas A. Charles, one of the substantial farmers of Joachim Township, is a native of St. Louis County, Mo., and is the eldest son of Robert and Elizabeth (Nickel) Charles, of English and German descent, who were among the early settlers of St. Louis. Mr. Charles received his education in the common schools, and in the early part of his life gave his attention to railroad business, filling various positions on the Camden & Atlantic Railroad. June 4, 1872, he married Catherine (McCormick) West, a native of Jefferson County. Mr. Charles located on his present farm of 213 acres, in Joachim Township, near Pevely, in 1866, where he has since resided, devoting his attention to the pursuit of agriculture and dairying, shipping the products of the latter to St. Louis. He and wife are church members, he holding membership in the Presbyterian and she in the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In political preference he is a Democrat. Mrs. Eliza T. Clark is a native of Jefferson County, Mo., and was born in Herculaneum July 23, 1814. She is a daughter of Elisha and Phoebe (Gale) Ellis, natives, respectively, of Georgia and New York. On the 8th of June, 1842, she was united in marriage to Dr. William E. Clark, deceased. They were the parents of one child— Edward Clayton —who was born October 8, 1843, and died September 9, 1844. Dr. Clark died January 23, 1865. Mrs. Clark has always been a resident of Jefferson County, and is one of the few who survive the hardships of the pioneer life in the then Far West. After the death of her husband she disposed of their property, reserving ten acres, on which she has built a comfortable residence, and is now living a quiet, retired life. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a devout Christian lady.