A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana By Timothy Edward Howard, p 984
Charles B. Early. Honored and respected by all, Charles E. Early has been for several years prominently identified with the public affairs of St. Joseph county, and he is now serving as trustee of his township. His entire life has been passed within the borders of the county, and has been one of uniform honor in business and fidelity in places of public trust. His birth occurred in Liberty township, St. Joseph county, July 4, 1868, a son of Rev. Isaac and Mary E. (Irvip) Early, whose history is given in another portion of this work. The son Charles received a good practical common-school education, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, remaining with his father and giving him the benefit of his time until he was twenty years of age. At that age and with a small capital, possibly one hundred dollars, he began life for himself as a renter, his principal occupation being the raising of sheep, in which he was very successful. His first purchase of land consisted of one hundred and ten acres in Greene township, for which he assumed an indebtedness of twenty-five hundred dollars, but being a type of the progressive spirit of the age and possessing that enterprise and perseverance which have ever characterized him he was soon able to meet his obligations in full. In 1902, however, he sold this land and purchased his present estate of one hundred and sixty acres lying within one mile of North Liberty, which is excellent farming land, with not an acre of swamp and only a small amount of timber. Beautiful and substantial buildings adorn the homestead, but in 1903 he met with a severe loss in the burning of his barn. However, he has successfully surmounted all obstacles which have barred his path, and has made for himself a place in connection with the activities and honors of life.
On the 17th of March, 1897, Mr. Early married Miss Ella Kane, and they have become the parents of four children, Dorothy, Amy, Mary and Ruth. Mrs. Early was born in St. Joseph county March 31, 1876, the second in a family of six children, three sons and three
daughters, but only three of the number are now living: Arthur, who is married and is engaged in farming in Liberty township; Ella, the wife of Mr. Early;'and Gladys, who is attending school. Mr. Kane, the father, and whose record appears in this work, is also a native son of St. Joseph county, and he is now a resident of Liberty township, where he owns one hundred acres of excellent farming land and he is well known as a produce dealer, selling to the South Bend market. He is a Republican in his political affiliations. Mrs. Kane is also living, and is a member of the Brethren church. Mr. Early cast his first presidential vote for Benjamin Harrison, and has ever since continued to support the principles of the "Grand Old Party." In 1904 he was elected to the highest office within the gift of his township, that of trustee, assuming the duties of that responsible position on the 1st of January, 1905. During his administration he ljas increased the school term from seven to eight months, and many other needed reforms have been instituted. Each school contains an excellent library, and at the present time there are nine brick and three frame school buildings in the township, while the best corps of teachers which money can produce are employed. Mrs. Early's religious connection is with the Progressive Dunkard church, and both she and her husband are interested in all benevolent and progressive movements. As the record of a young man it is one of which he may be justly proud, and the success he has attained is the just reward of meritorious, honorable effort.