WI BIO - Dane Co - MEARS, Charles S.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 413-414

Charles S. MEARS, one of the retired business men of Madison [Dane County], 
WI, who resides at his pleasant home on East Gilman Street, where he has 
resided since its erection in 1857, was born in Elbridge, Onondaga County, 
New York, 12 January 1818, son of James and Lois MEARS, both natives of 
Vermont. The father was a railroad and canal contractor, and in early life 
was a farmer.

Charles S. MEARS received a common school education and at the age of 
fourteen entered the Elbridge Academy, where he remained three years. In the 
family of which he was a member there were thirteen children, and Charles was 
the youngest. Of all these children, only one sister, Mrs. Harriet SHERWIN, 
of Fultonville [Montgomery County], New York, and our subject survive. About 
the time of the outbreak of the Rebellion [about 1861] the parents of our 
subject died. In order to support himself he engaged in selling groceries at 
Amsterdam [Montgomery County], New York, where he remained one year, then 
went to Hanover, Ohio, and engaged with his brother in selling merchandise 
for about two years. [p 414] After leaving his brother he removed to Port 
Richmond, Staten Island [Richmond County, NY], where he clerked for some time 
in a grocery, but after nearly two and a half years he removed to Fultonville 
[Montgomery County], New York, and engaged as a clerk in a country store for 
a short time, after which he removed to Jordan [Onondaga County], New York.

Charles S. MEARS was married, 12 November 1840, to Miss Lucretia MARTINEAU, 
born in London, England, who came to the U. S. when twelve years old. Soon 
after her marriage Mrs. MEARS died, only bearing that name about five months. 
After her death, Charles S. MEARS removed to New Albany and there was 
married 26 October 1848 to Harriet ANTHONY, a native of that city, daughter 
of Jacob ANTHONY, a merchant of New Albany, who had served as surveyor during 
the war, of the port of New Albany. Two children have been born to Charles 
S. and Harriet (ANTHONY) MEARS: Alice A., married to J. H. PALMER, of 
Madison [Dane County, WI]; and Flora E., at home, a young lady, educated at 
the Wisconsin University. Mr. MEARS, wife and children are all living and in 
the enjoyment of good health.

While in New Albany, Mr. [Charles S.] MEARS was engaged in dry goods 
business, residing in that city for about ten years, after which he removed to 
Madison [WI], in December 1855. In this city he entered the lumber business 
of C. S. Mears and Company, which he operated for nine years, after which he 
retired from active business. In political matters Mr. MEARS votes with the 
Republican party, being convinced that the principles enunciated by that body 
are the ones most conducive to public order and prosperity. Mr. MEARS has 
been one of the most enterprising business men of the town, and now enjoys 
the rest he has fully earned for himself by his industry and frugality.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly