HON. CHARLES T. STILES. – One who has enjoyed the advantages of education, and has been the recipient of wealth left him by fond and indulgent parents, is surely worthy of the encomiums due to success thereby attained. but how much more so is the one who, without this pedestal of fame and fortune, attains an equal eminence by his own un-aided exertions. As an example of this latter career, there was none more notable than the gentleman whose name appears above, whose late untimely demise has removed from the scene of activity one of our most valuable and honored representative men. Briefly stated, the course of his life is as follows: He was a native of Whitneyville, Maine, having been born in that state June 16, 1847. In 1860, when he was bur thirteen years of age, he came with his mother to the Pacific coast to join his father, who had crossed the plains into California in 1849, whom they found at Vancouver, Washington Territory, having located a Donation claim of nine hundred acres near Washougal.
The subject of this sketch resided there until 1877, when he moved to Portland, Oregon, his father having died in 1873. In Portland he speculated in produce of every kind until July, 1878, when he removed to Columbia County, Washington Territory, and located in Pataha City, which is now in Garfield county.
In 1882 he purchased the farm where his widow now resides, a most beautiful place half way between Pomeroy and Pataha. From the time of his settlement in this growing section, he became an influential member of its society, moving in very matter of public improvement, and soon gaining a firm grasp upon the confidence of the people. Previously, he had been honored with high political preferment, having been elected in 1875 to the house of representatives of Washington Territory from Clarke county; and in 1887 he was elected to serve in the same body from his new home. In his official capacity he was instrumental in erecting Columbia from Walla Walla county, and Garfield from Columbia.
In his new sphere of life at Pataha City, he was most energetic in developing and upbuilding the region, having been first to bring to that point a stock of goods, and doing much, by every practicable means, to make that the flourishing place that it now is. He died August 28, 1886; and his demise was not only deeply mourned by his family, but also deplored by the community in general. He was a man known for his earnestness, breadth of view, sterling integrity and christian charity. In him those unfortunate in the battle of life always found a friend; and the successful regarded him as a comrade and brother. As a benefactor, a builder of a new community, and as a leader in every worthy field, he will long be remembered.
In 1872 he was married to Miss Lizzie Caples, of Vancouver, Washington Territory, a most estimable lady, who now resides in a beautiful residence at Pataha City, and superintends the education of her five children.