Charles Craigmiles
Charles Craigmiles was born at Franklin Furnace in Scioto County, Ohio, June 17, 1849. His father, of the same name, was a native of Ireland as was his mother, Rebecca Hamilton. His father and mother were married in Ireland and emigrated to America in 1848. They located in Adams County near Vaughn Chapel, but his father, being an iron founder, moved to Franklin Furnace shortly before his son Charles' birth. Our subject was reared at Franklin, Junior and Ohio Furnaces, as his father was employed at all three. The son went to school until he was ten years of age, when he went to work pounding lime at Empire Furnace. In 1860, his father removed to Adams County and lived there two years on the Ellison place, near Stone Chapel. In 1862, the father removed to Junior Furnace and resided there until 1865, when he removed to Marion County, Illinois. From there he went to Brownsport Furnace, Tennessee. The family came back to Ohio and located at Ohio Furnace in 1867. Our subject remained at Ohio Furnace until 1878. In 1877. he was married to Medora A. Foster, daughter of James Foster, of Killenstown, Adams County. In 1878, he located in Portsmouth. Ohio, where he has since resided. When he first went to Portsmouth, he drove a horse-car for five months. He then went into the employment of the Portsmouth Transfer Company for three years, at the end of which time he took an interest in the business. He and Mr. Frank B. Kehoe conducted the business under the name of The Portsmouth Transfer Company, for eleven years. In 1894, he bought Mr. Kehoe's interest and since has conducted the business alone. He keeps moving vans and transfers all kinds of goods and merchandise. He has twelve teams and his place of business is on Washington Street in the city of Portsmouth, Ohio. He has seven children, five daughters and two sons.
He has always been a Republican. From April, 1897, to April, 1899, he was Street Commissioner of Portsmouth, Ohio, and never has held any other office. He is known to and respected by every one in Portsmouth as an honorable man and a good citizen. He has always prospered and it is because he conducts his business on right principles. He is a public spirited citizen, always ready to do his part in any matter for the public good.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900