Charles Viele

Narrative:

     Charles Viele was born on 26 Sep 1876 in Evansville, Indiana.^6,7,8
     He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana, in the household of his parents, George Bement Viele and America Morgan.¹
     His parents were divorced 21 Feb 1894, in what was reported to be a "sensation in Evansville" because of the wealth and prominence of the family, and because his father was well known to be "dissipated and a great rake," which had been known by his wife but she had not appeared much perturbed about it until then.^13,14
     Charles appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana, at 704 Riverside Ave., enumerated 6 Jun 1900, in the household of his paternal grandfather, Charles Viele. Also listed in the household were his uncle Edward Viele and his wife Daisy and son Douglas, his uncle George Viele, a German cook and an Irish housemaid, and a traveling salesman who was listed as a boarder.¹⁵ His residence with his paternal relatives seems to have been brief, as every listing of him in the city directory from 1896, the first he appears in, shows him as living in the home of his mother. Until 1900 that home carried the address of 905 Upper Water St.¹⁶
     He was a clerk by 1897. In the two years prior to his marriage he was with the shipping department of the Evansville glass works.^17,18,19
     Charles married Arney Beaulah James, daughter of Barclay Arney James and Bobella Cobb, on 7 Feb 1906 in St. Paul's Church, Evansville, Indiana, with Rev. William Reid Cross officating.^9,10,11 They traveled by train to Chicago for their honeymoon.²⁰ On their return they made their home at the Morgan residence on Riverside Ave. in Evansville, the home of his mother's family.²⁰
     Charles and Arney appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana, in the household of his mother, in the former home of his maternal grandmother.²¹
     He was a commercial traveler for Indian Refining Company, an oil refining company, by 1910. By 1912 he was a manager there. By 1930 he was a sales manger.^23,24,25,26
     Charles registered for the draft for World War I on 12 Sep 1918, while living in 905 Riverside Ave., Evansville, Indiana, reporting he was employed as a manager with Indian Refining Co. of New York.²
     Charles and Arney appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana, at 905 Riverside Ave. in the household of his mother.²⁷
     Charles and Arney took a trip to Cuba in 1930. They returned aboard the S.S. Evangeline, arriving in Miami, Florida, on 10 Mar 1930, having departed Havna the day before.²⁸
     Charles and Arney appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana, at 605 S. E. Riverside, enumerated 18 Apr 1930, reporting he owned a home valued at $10,000, but did not own a radio. His mother was listed as living with them, as was her sister, Margaret. They were in the same house his mother had inherited from her parents, and where they had lived since their marriage, but now Charles was shown as head of household. The house number is different because street had been re-numbered (click on the map icon to see the house, which still stands).²⁹
     He seems to have retired about 1931.^30,31
     Charles served on the city council for serveral years, and on the city waterworks board of trustees until the time of his death.²²
     Charles and Arney appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana, at 605 S. E. Riverside, enumerated 8 Apr 1940, reporting they owned a home valued at $15,750. His mother, and her mother, were listed as living with them, all reporting having lived in the same house in 1935. Also listed as living with them were four lodgers, William J. Rogers, age 73, a chemist, an engineer and an attorney, and two servants.³²
     His wife died on 10 Nov 1940 in Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana.³³
     About 1944 Charles left his long-time family home when it was taken over by the Federal Government for apartments during the war, and moved to 208 SE Riverside Dr.^34,35
     Charles died on 29 Jan 1946 in 208 Riverside, Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana, at age 69, at his home.^12,5 He was buried on 1 Feb 1946 in Oak Hill Cemetery, Evansville, Indiana.⁵