Charles C. Ellsworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles C. Ellsworth
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Brady-Handy Photo collection, Library of Congress.
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 8th district |
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| In office March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1879 |
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| Preceded by | Nathan B. Bradley |
| Succeeded by | Roswell G. Horr |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives | |
| In office 1852–1854 |
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| Member of the Vermont General Assembly | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 29, 1824 Berkshire, Vermont |
| Died | June 25, 1899 (aged 75) Greenville, Michigan |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Other political affiliations |
Democrat |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Gay Ellsworth |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Charles Clinton Ellsworth (born January 29, 1824, died June 25, 1899) was an important politician from Michigan, a state in the United States. He served in both state and national government.
Contents
Charles Ellsworth's Life Story
Early Life and Education
Charles Ellsworth was born in Berkshire, Vermont, in 1824. His mother passed away when he was very young. His father, William C. Ellsworth, was a respected doctor. He also served in the Vermont General Assembly, which is like Vermont's state parliament.
Charles went to local schools in West Berkshire. He also attended an academy in Bakersfield. For one winter, he worked as a teacher in Vermont.
Becoming a Lawyer
After teaching, Charles moved to Howell, Michigan. There, he studied law with his brother-in-law, Josiah Turner. Josiah Turner was a lawyer who later became a judge.
Charles continued to teach school in Howell during the winters. He studied law until he passed his exams in 1848. This meant he could officially start working as a lawyer. He began his law practice in Howell.
In 1849, the Governor of Michigan, John S. Barry, appointed Charles. He became the prosecuting attorney for Livingston County. This job meant he represented the government in legal cases.
Moving to Greenville and State Politics
In 1851, Charles Ellsworth moved to Greenville in Montcalm County. He was the very first lawyer to practice there.
In 1852, he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. He served one two-year term. He was also elected prosecuting attorney for Montcalm County twice, serving from 1853 to 1857.
Charles was first a member of the Democratic Party. However, after the Kansas–Nebraska Act in 1854, he changed his political views. This law caused a lot of conflict, which led to the creation of the Republican Party in 1856. Charles then joined the Republican Party.
Service During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln appointed Charles. He became a Paymaster of Volunteers in the Union Army. This meant he was in charge of paying the soldiers. He served with the rank of major until the war ended. He worked with the Army of the Cumberland.
Return to Law and Local Leadership
After the war, Charles Ellsworth went back to being a lawyer in Greenville. In 1867, Greenville became an official village. Charles was chosen as its first president.
National Politics and Later Life
In 1876, Charles Ellsworth was elected to the United States Congress. He represented Michigan's 8th congressional district as a Republican. He served in Congress from March 4, 1877, to March 3, 1879. He decided not to run for re-election in 1878. After his time in Congress, he returned to practicing law in Greenville.
Charles was important in bringing the Detroit, Lansing and Lake Michigan Railroad to Greenville. He was also a member of several community groups. These included the Odd Fellows and the Masonic Fraternity.
He was also very active in the temperance movement. This movement worked to reduce or stop the use of alcohol. He belonged to groups like the Sons of Temperance.
Charles was raised as a Universalist. Later, he joined the Methodist Church during a religious revival. He eventually became a Congregationalist.
In 1850, he married Elizabeth Gay. Charles Ellsworth passed away in Greenville in 1899. He was buried in Forest Home Cemetery there.
