George Charles

George Charles (Lawrence County)

State House: 1870-1871

Born: c. 1832 in Alabama

Charles is listed on the 1870 census in Brookhaven, Mississippi, with wife Julia and two sons. His occupation is given as “Member legislature.” By 1880, Charles had moved to Topeka, Kansas, where he is listed with Julia and son George W. (1858-1926). He mended shoes, and his son was a confectioner. The Charles family supported the movement for African Americans to set up their own new country in Liberia.

Note: in some of the clippings below, it is unclear whether George Charles Sr. or Jr. is the subject.

Vicksburg Herald, October 20, 1869
Topeka Daily Capital, January 7, 1885
Topeka State Journal, October 19, 1885
Topeka State Journal, January 17, 1887
Topeka State Journal, February 11, 1896
Winfield Daily Free Press, February 1, 1913
Topeka Plaindealer, December 22, 1922