Born in Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., May 4, 1817, our subject is the son of Roswell and Elizabeth (Carl) Alford, natives of New York State, the latter being a daughter of Benjamin Carl. Charles is the eldest child in his father’s family, and was only five years old when he was bereaved by his mother’s death. Afterward his father married again, and he remained with his father and step-mother until he reached the age of twenty-one. In the mean time he attended the common schools of Lyons, where he laid the foundation of the broad fund of information he afterward gained by practical education in the school experience.

At the age of twenty-one, Charles Alford commenced to work as a farm laborer in the employ of others, and continued thus engaged for one year. He then, at the age of twenty-two, established domestic ties, and afterward began farming on shares, continuing in that way until the fall of 1844. Then leaving the county of his birth, he came to Michigan and settled in Ottawa County, where he purchased a tract of land in Tallmadge Township in the spring of 1845. He still upon resides upon his original purchase and engages extensively in raising grain and fruit, in both of which he has met with success.

On Christmas Day, 1839, Mr. Alford was united in marriage with Miss Melly, daughter of Joel Burch, a resident of Lyons, N. Y., and unto them there have been born eight children, only two of whom are now living. Ann married C. P. Reed, and resides in Ravenna, Mich., and Hannah, the wife of William Millard, lives in Ottawa County. The wife and mother departed this live in 1867, leaving to her family and friends the memory of a pure and holy life, devoted with unselfishness and love to the welfare of her husband and children.

Since attaining his majority, Mr. Alford has upheld with enthusiasm and fidelity the principles of the Republican party, his first Presidential having been cast for Gen. William Henry Harrison. Personally, his services in public offices are highly appreciated and he has served as Supervisor of Tallmadge Township for four years, and has been Treasurer for a number of terms. It is to such citizens as he that Tallmadge Township owes the prominent position it occupies as one of the first townships in the county.