Caledonia

CHASE, Charles M.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 69 
(portrait p 69)

Charles M. CHASE was born 06 November 1829 in Lyndon [Caledonia County, 
Vermont], son of Epaphras Bull and Louisa (BALDWIN) CHASE. He received his 
preparatory education in the academies of Lyndon, St. Johnsbury [Caledonia 
County, Vermont], and Meriden [Sullivan County], New Hampshire, and was 
afterwards graduated from Dartmouth College in the class of 1853. He then 
pursued his professional studies with President ALLEN of Farmer's College, 
Cincinnati [Hamilton County, Ohio], and in 1857 was admitted to the bar in 
Sycamore [DeKalb County], Illinois, where he commenced the practice of his 
profession, at the same time editing the "DeKalb County Sentinel," and 
teaching music, thus continuing until the breaking out of the Civil War 
[officially fought from April 1861- April 1865].

In 1863-1864 he was in Kansas, a portion of the time employed as city editor 
of the "Leavenworth Daily Times," and having charge of the musical 
association of that city. For some time he traveled in the state as 
correspondent of the "Sycamore Republican," describing the bloody struggles 
that took place during the episodes of 1856. In 1863 he commenced the 
publication of the "Vermont Union" at Lyndon [Caledonia County, Vermont], 
which he still continues. In connection with this enterprise he has made 
numerous trips in Florida, California, the western and the southern states as 
correspondent of his own paper, one of these trips being published in book 
form under the title of "Editor's Run in New Mexico and Colorado." The book 
received numerous compliments from the press and had quite an extensive sale.

During the first years after leaving college, Mr. CHASE divided his time 
between studying law and teaching in Cincinnati [Hamilton County], Ohio, 
having charge for three years of the vocal music department in Ohio Female 
College and Farmer's College, conducting conventions, giving concerts, etc. 
During this period he composed different church tunes, which were published 
in the books of that day and later. Mr. CHASE enlisted in 1861, and had 
charge of the brigade band of the Thirteenth Illinois Volunteers, until 
their discharge at the end of three months of service in Southwestern 
Missouri.

On 15 June 1865 at Sycamore [DeKalb County], Illinois, he [Charles M. CHASE] 
was married to Mary E., daughter of Timothy and Mary (WATERMAN) WELLS. Their 
five children are: Everett B., John B., George A., Jennie H., and Nellie L. 
Mr. CHASE is a Democrat; for several years held the office of police 
magistrate in Sycamore; for twenty yeas has been justice of the peace in 
Lyndon [Vermont]; was the prime mover in securing the charter for the Lyndon 
Academy and Graded School, being for a long time president of the board of 
directors. In 1866-1868 was the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 
First Vermont District, and was appointed delegate to the national convention 
of that party in St. Louis in 1876. His ability as a financier has called 
him to the duties of director in the Lyndon National Bank and the Savings 
Bank & Trust Company of St. Johnsbury, of which he has been president since 
1861. He has taken the vows of Free Masonry, and is actively connected with 
the lodge at Lyndon and Haswell Chapter in St. Johnsbury.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly