Email: Brenda Mahan
Obituary of my great-grandfather
Captain Charles Morgan Engles
March 5, 1847 - November 19, 1917
Among the older citizens of our county that death removed from the stage of
action during the year 1917, but few if any was more noted than Captain C.M.
Engles of Salado, who passed away on the 19th of November last.
Captain Engles was born near Batesville nearly 71 years ago, and was reared
near that place, his parents, being Robert Boyd and Margaret (Wright) Engles,
and was the second of a family of seven children. He had only a common
school education, as his advantages were poor, he having to as sit his parents
to support the family. At the right age to attend school the war between the
states broke out and prevented him attending school, and before the war
ended, like many other youths of our area enlisted in the service and stayed
until the great struggle was over, and the war ended.
Upon returning home, he keel and float-boated on White River many years until
he learned the river as well or better than any one at that time. He then
applied for license as pilot and passing satisfactory, examination, the
license was granted. Afterward he was licensed as master and pilot on White
Ricer and its tributaries. He became so versed in his profession that the
examining board at Memphis for many years renewed until May 1918.
Twenty-five years ago no man in northern Arkansas knew more men, or more men
knew one better than Captain Engles. His acquaintance was many from the
mouth of White River to Forcyth, MO., where he piloted the boats, every man
who lived on or near the river became his acquaintance, and friend. He also
served as pilot on the Mississippi, from St. Louis to the mouth of White
River, and was in the government service on the Arkansas below Little Rock
for several months.
How interesting it was to hear his tell, for hours, of the voyages he had
made on the rivers, in low water and overflows, in summer and winter season,
and of the people he had rescued during high water, the deer, turkeys and
small animals hunted and killed along the banks, the ducks and wild geese on
the lakes and river.
In about 1871 he applied and was received in the Odd Fellows Lodge at Old
Jacksonport, and remained a member of it some years, when he withdrew and
became a member of Independence Lodge, no. 4, at Batesville, where his
membership remained through life. About 40 years ago he became a member of
Neill Lodge, no. 285, F. and A.M. at Jamestown, and remained a member of
that lodge until Salado Lodge, no. 502, at Salado, was organized in 1891,
when he became a member of it. For many years, when at home, Captain Engles
served as Deputy Sheriff, beginning under the late T. P. Owens. He also
served several terms as Constable of his township. He did a general
collecting business and was one of the best collectors in Independence
County. He was a member of the school board many years, and assisted in
building up one of the best rural schools in our county.
In 1874 he was married to Miss Virginia Egner, in then Greenbrier Township.
To this union nine children were born and all lived to reach man and woman
estate, seven of whom survive him. In 1900 two daughters, young women,
died and the shock brought a gloom over his whole family which they seemed to
never recover from.
Thirty five years ago he became a member of the church and was a worker
therein ever afterward, and died in strong hope of a better life beyond.
Captain Engles was a man of good judgment, far above the average in
intelligence. He was always ready to give good advise, especially to the
erring one. Many times by his ready wit and thoughtful words has he kept the
wrongdoer from doing more wrong and quieting disturbances almost in a moment.
Two years ago his health began to fail, and friends meeting him would say,
"Captain, you are not looking so well." "No No," he would Answer, "I'm
dying by degrees."
He kept up and going but gradually grew worse until the first of June, when
he took to his bed and was never able to be up again. He bore his affliction
with all patience, knowing that the end was not far distant. His mind
remained good until a short time before his death.
All these months of affliction, the wife, the good woman she is, remained at
his bedside, ever ready day or night to administer to his want's, and to
assist in every way possible, to give him ease and comfort, never
complaining of the work before her. All the children living were at the
bedside when the end came except one daughter, who was unable to come.
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