I can identify no specific birthplace for Charles. On various census and other documents he notes his birthplace in indiana, Ohio, Tennessee. His daughter, Dell's, death certificate shows Illinois as his birth place.
He was active prior to and during the Civil War. In Sept 1861 he was captured in Tennessee by the confederacy, and sent by train to a prisoner of war camp in Nashville, Tenn. During the trip, he escaped from the train by jumping through a window. He was subjected to great physical deprivation as he escaped over the mountains to Kentucky. In Dec 1862, it was determined that because of the illness and injury during his escape, he was incapable of continuing to perform his duties as a Captain of the Cavalry and he was relieved of duty.
Afterward, he lived for a short while in Gallipolis, Ohio and then moved, permanently to Mitchell Indiana where he was a silversmith, a jeweler, and then a watchmaker. The silversmith is consistent with Tennessee and it is possible he was orphaned there and had no idea who his parents were.
I have an abundance of information about him from May 1861, when he was a representative to the East Tennessee Convention, held to discuss Tennessee's declaration to secede from the US. I have nothing concrete prior to that time.
I would appreciate any suggestions that might provide further information.
Linda Palmer Farbry
