Captain Charles Morgan Engles (1917) Independence County, Arkansas

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by great-granddaughter 
Branda Jackson Mahan

E-mail: Screamingtaz1@aol.com
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Unknown Newspaper - Independence County - 1917
                                                                
                          Captain Charles Morgan Engles 
                        March 5, 1847 - November 19, 1917   

Among the older citizens of our county that death removed from the stage of 
action during the year 1917, but few if any was more noted than Captain C.M. 
Engles of Salado, who passed away on the 19th of November last.

Captain Engles was born near Batesville nearly 71 years ago, and was reared 
near that place, his parents, being Robert Boyd and Margaret (Wright) Engles, 
and was the second of a family of seven children.  He had only a common school 
education, as his advantages were poor, he having to assist his parents to 
support the family.  At the right age to attend school the war between the 
states broke out and prevented him attending school, and before the war ended, 
like many other youths of our area enlisted in the service and stayed until 
the great struggle was over, and the war ended.

Upon returning home, he keel and flot-boated on White River many years until 
he learned the river as well or better than any one at that time.  He then 
applied for license as pilot and passing satisfactory, examination, the 
license was granted.  Afterward he was licensed as master and pilot on White 
River and its tributaries.  He became so versed in his profession that the 
examining board at Memphis for many years renewed until May 1918.

Twenty-five years ago no man in northern Arkansas knew more men, or more men 
knew one better than Captain Engles.  His acquaintance was many from the mouth 
of White River to Forcyth, Mo., where he piloted the boats, every man who lived 
on or near the river became his acquaintance, and friend.  He also served as 
pilot on the Mississippi, from St. Louis to the mouth of White River, and was 
in the government service on the Arkansas below Little Rock for several months.

How interesting it was to hear him tell, for hours, of the voyages he had made
on the rivers, in low water and overflows, in summer and winter season, and of 
the people he had rescued during high water, the deer, turkeys and small animals 
hunted and killed along the banks, the ducks and wild geese on the lakes and river.

In about 1871 he applied and was received in the Odd Fellows Lodge at Old 
Jacksonport, and remained a member of it some years, when he withdrew and became 
a member of Independence Lodge, no. 4, at Batesville, where his membership remained 
through life.  About 40 years ago he became a member of Neill Lodge, no. 285, F. 
and A.M. at Jamestown, and remained a member of that lodge until Salado Lodge, 
no. 502, at Salado, was organized in 1891, when he became a member of it.  For 
many years, when at home, Captain Engles served as Deputy Sheriff, beginning 
under the late T. P. Owens.  He also served several terms aas Constable of his 
township.  He did a general collecting business and was one of the best collectors 
in Independence County.  He was a member of the school board many years, and 
assisted in building up one of the best rural schools in our county.

In 1874 he was married to Miss Virginia Egner, in then Greenbrier Township.  To this 
union nine children were born and all lived to reach man and woman estate, seven of 
whom survive him.  In 1900 two daughters, young women, died and the shock brought a 
gloom over his whole family which they seemed to never recover from.

Thirty five years ago he became a member of the church and was a worker therein 
ever afterward, and died in strong hope of a better life beyond.

Captain Engles was a man of good judgment, far above the average in intelligence.  
He was always ready to give good advise, especially to the erring one.  Many times 
by his ready wit and thoughtful words has he kept the wrongdoer from doing more 
wrong and quieting disturbances almost in a moment.

Two years ago his health began to fail, and friends meeting him would say, "Captain, 
you are not looking so well."  "No No," he would Answer, "I'm dying by degrees."

He kept up and going but gradually grew worse until the first of June, when he took 
to his bed and was never able to be up again.  He bore his affiction with all patience, 
knowing that the end was not far distant.  His mind remained good until a short time 
before his death.

All these months of affiction, the wife, the good woman she is, remained at his bedside, 
ever ready day or night to administer to his want's, and to assist in every way possible, 
to give him ease and comfort, never complaining of the work before her.  All the children 
living were at the bedside when the end came except one daughter, who was unable to come.

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