Charles M. Eagleton is one of the best known men of Champaign, where he has lived for over thirty years. His father died while in the service of the Union. Government during the Civil War, and the son was thus early thrown upon his own resources. He has made good in the work and responsibilities that destiny has assigned him, and his name is spoken with respect throughout a large community of this rich and prosperous section of Illinois.
Mr. Eagleton was born in Jasper County, Illinois, October 24, 1858, a son of Alexander M. and Mary J. (Fair) Eagleton. His father was a native of Tennessee and his mother of Pennsylvania. Alexander Eagleton followed farming in Jasper County, enlisted from there as a volunteer in the Union army early in the Civil War and was soon assigned to manage a supply store for the army at Helena, Arkansas. He died while still at his post. His widow has survived him all these years and is now living at Newton in Jasper County, Illinois, at the age of ninety-one.
Next to the youngest in a family of eight children, Charles M. Eagleton had rather limited home comforts when a boy and he was not given the privilege of attending even the common schools with perfect regularity. Besides what he acquired in the common schools he attended a normal at Newton for two terms. In 1884 Mr. Eagleton came to Champaign, and having learned the carpenter’s trade, followed it actively in this community until 1897. He was then elected to the office of constable and filled that position with credit and efficiency for seven years. He resigned to enter the real estate and insurance business and is still an insurance man, representing several of the well known companies and having a large clientage throughout the county.
He has always been interested in local affairs and in 1903 was elected alderman from the Third Ward. He was a member of the governing body of the city for eleven yeats, finally resigning. He was then appointed superintendent of streets, and gave most of his time to that important office until May 15, 1917, when the city adopted the commission form of government.
Mr. Eagleton married for his first wife Maggie Howell, who died, leaving him two children, Mena of Champaign, and Ruby, wife of Walter Ellis of Newton, Jasper County, Illinois. For his second wife Mr. Eagleton married Minnie Conroy, a native of Rushville, Indiana. They have one child, Charles M., Jr., who is now in the fourth year of the Champaign High School and is preparing to enter the University of Illinois.
Mr. Eagleton is a Republican in politics. He is one of the directors of the Champaign County Monumental Association and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Sons of Veterans.