Charles Smith Alden was born 12/4/1839 to Smith David Alden of Broome County NY. and Sarah Elizabeth Runyan.

Smith and Sarah moved their children, Charles and Harriet, to Fulton Co., Illinois in 1842 from Cattaraugus County NY.

In Illinois, a third child, John Harvey Alden was born in 1842.

In 1864, Charles enlisted in the Union Army and served with Company H of the Illinois 32nd Infantry. He mustered in Oct. 4th, 1864 in Mt. Sterling, IL. Amongst other assignments, the unit was part of the "March to the Sea" under General Sherman. Charles was mustered out September 16, 1865 at Leavenworth, Kansas. Charles' brother, John, served with several companies of the Illinois 12th Cavalry.

Following the war, Charles farmed in Lee Township, Fulton County Illinois. In 1872, Charles and Mary Louise Barker (daughter of George Barker and Johanna Amos) were married in Macomb, Illinois. Their children (listed with their birth years and spouses were, George (1873, Marie Wacker), William (1875, Grace Copeland), Cora (1877, Sam Ommert), Mary a.k.a. Daisy (1881, Vincent Baughman) and Clinton (1888, Gertrude Boss)

Charles was Township Clerk, School Director, and Highway Commissioner, a member of the Modern Woodmen of America (Camp 503 in Prairie City, Il). He was also a Commander of the Carter Van Vleck chapter of the Bushnell Grand Army of the Republic. In 1902, Charles moved from the farm to Bushnell. He died 6/4/1926 and was followed in death by his wife, Mary on 2/2/1930. Both are buried in Bushnell Cemetery, Bushnell, McDonough County, IL.

Charles' Photo and Bio. submitted by Tim O'Shea, gr-gr-grandson