Historical Rosters Database
Charles Denby
Roster ID 159This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
| First Name: | Charles |
| Middle Name: | |
| Last Name: | Denby |
| Suffix: | |
| Affiliation: | Class of 1850 |
| Biography & Genealogy: | Charles Denby, Class of 1850: Genealogy: Born- June 16, 1830, Mt. Joy, Va. Father- Nathaniel Denby; Mother- Sarah Harvey. Grandparents- unknown. Married- Miss Fitch; 1st child- Edwin Denby; 2nd- Garvin Denby; 3rd- Graham Denby; 4th- Charles Denby; 5th- Wythe Denby; 6th- daughter(name not known). Prior to VMI, he attended Georgetown and College Royal in Marseilles, France. Matriculated from Philadelphia, PA. At VMI 3 years. VMI Record: Acting professor of French while a cadet from 1849 to 1850. After VMI, he taught for 3 years at the Masonic University in Selma, Alabama; moved to Evansville, Indiana in 1853 where he edited the Daily Enquirer; admitted to the Bar in 1855; elected to represent Vanderburgh county in the Indiana House of Representatives in 1857; surveyor in Port of Evansville, Indiana from 1857-59; helped hold southern Indiana loyal to Union and raised troops in 1861. Military Record: appointed Lieutenant Colonel in the 42d Indiana on Sep. 9, 1861; Wounded in Action (face) at Perryville; resigned Oct. 21, 1862 to accept a commission as a Colonel with the 80th Indiana; resigned Jan. 17, 1863 because of poor health and (according to an unofficial souce) because he could not support the Emancipation Proclamation. Post War Careers- lawyer, teacher, businessman, public servant; delegate to Democratic National conventions in 1876 and 1884; United States Minister to China, 1885-1898; served on US Philippine Commission in 1899; Episcopalian; wrote "China and Her People" (1906) and other works. Died- Jan. 15, 1904, in Jamestown, NY (some records indicate date of death as Jan. 13). |
