Charles W. Rich

Charles W. Rich, civil engineer and lumberman, resident at Tustin, Burdell Township, was born Feb. 8, 1848, in Piscataquis Co., Maine. He is the son of Charles W and Albina S. (Kittredge) Rich, both natives of Massachusetts. In 1864 they removed to Ohio, and are not living near the village of Elyria in the Buckeye State.Mr. Rich went to that State five years previously, and during that time was in charge of his uncle, I.S. Metcalf, residing at Elyria, Lorain County. He attended the Union School at that place until the removal of his parents to Lorain County, and after he was again an inmate of the parental household, he continued his studies until he completed a full course and was graduated at the High School. At the age of 21 he determined to acquire a practical knowledge of the profession of civil engineering, and to that end he devoted his time, working for a while for his board; but soon, by close application and diligence, secured positions of trust and profit. Continuing in the service, he obtained employment on different engineering works in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Md., until the year 1876, the date of his removal to Tustin. He came here primarily in the real-estate interest of his uncle, E.W. Metcalf, of Elyria, Ohio.In spring of 1877 he purchased 240 acres on section 24, Burdell Township, and in the same year he platted one-half of the village where he resides, locating 48 lots. He has since made sale of nearly the entire number. He is the proprietor of a fine residence in Tustin village, and owns 160 acres of land on section 26, in Burdell Township. He has recently purchased 560 acres located on sections 2, 12 and 24 of the same township, and is operating as a lumberman and dealer in real estate in his own behalf. Since his first removal to Michigan, he has spent three years in Ohio in his professional capacity.

The marriage of Mr. Rich to Callie Meloy occurred Dec. 25, 1873, at New Lexington, Perry Co., OHio. They have one child - Wilder M. - born Aug. 9, 1884. Mrs. Rich was born Sept. 23, 1848, in New Lexington, and is the daughter of William and Sophia (Thomsor) Meloy. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and was by vocation a cabinet-maker. He was a man of prominent standing in Perry Co., Ohio, and during his life-time held several positions of responsibility and trust, among which were those of County Auditor and Treasurer. He died in Perry County, in the fall of 1882, aged 73 years. Her mother was born in ONio and descended from German ancestors. she is still living in Perry County, and is 64 years of age. Mrs. Rich was carefully educated, and at the age of 18 years commenced teaching, which profession she pursued with success five years.

Politically, Mr. Rich is a Republican. In religious preference he is a Presbyterian, while his wife adopts the tenets of the Baptist faith.

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