Major Charles H. Toll, Clinton

CHARLES H. TOLL, son of Charles H. and Sally Toll, was born on the 18th of April, 1817, in the town of Van Buren, Onondaga county, New York. His father, a descendant of the old Mohawk Germans of that state, was one of the most thorough and energetic business men of that section. He was in his time largely engaged in various enterprises, both of a public and private nature, besides filling and faithfully discharging the responsible duties of several public positions in the community in which he resided. He was highly esteemed for his business talent and integrity of character, and likewise for his public spirit and sterling worth. His mother, a native of Franklin county, Connecticut, was a most estimable lady, and a near relative of Chancellor Walworth, of New York. Her tender regard for her son, and her loving devotion to his welfare, has left upon, his mind throughout life an indelible and lasting impression.

He was principally educated at the public schools of his neighborhood, but subsequently, during one year, pursued a more thorough course of study in an institution under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Yates. At the age of eighteen he left home and soon after engaged himself as a clerk in a grocery store in the city of Syracuse, New York. After a brief term he retired from the above position, and obtained a more desirable one in another establishment in the same vicinity and continued with it one year. Having obtained in this time some knowledge of business as well as practical experience in trade, in 1837 he entered into a business arrangement with another party, and established himself in the parental neighborhood in a mercantile capacity. After continuing in this business some three years the partnership was mutually dissolved, he having embarked in another enterprise in a neighboring locality. His business career during the following eight years, although exhibiting great business talent and ability, as well as financial skill and comprehension, was characterized by various adverse experiences, arising invariably from injudicious management of his associates in trade. In 1849 a gentleman with whom he was intimately and largely associated in business was killed on the cars. This unfortunate circumstance involved him in much financial difficulty, and pressed heavily on his business operations during many subsequent years. At the same time, other business disasters following in rapid succession, he decided to close up as satisfactorily as possible his tangled business complications and seek a new field of enterprise in the west. He arrived in Chicago in 1853, and after having spent a few months as bookkeeper in a well-known firm in that city, he decided to locate at Lyons, Iowa, where he took up his residence in 1854, having previously made a small investment in that vicinity. Soon after his arrival he was employed by eastern capitalists to assist in superintending the building of a railroad from the Mississippi river to Council Bluffs, on the Missouri. In 1855 he was elected mayor of the city of Lyons, and was forced from his position to take an active interest in the various public enterprises in successful operation as well as those in contemplation. The contending interests of the two principal localities, Lyons and Clinton, necessarily drew him before the public, and involved him, during the local controversy regarding the railway bridge, in a strife foreign both to his nature and interests.

He resigned his office as mayor of Lyons and located in Clinton, where his business required his presence. At this time Clinton was not in existence. To a business man the locality, as a future business ])oint, possessed many advantages over Lyons, but it must have required strong faith in one's own discernment and judgment to induce a man to invest his interests in so uninviting a locality. During his connection with the railroad company he was elected assistant treasurer of the Iowa Land Company, and was appointed also superintendent of the ferry boat owned by this company. In 1859 he was elected sheriff of Clinton countv, and served two years.

In 1862 he was appointed United States commissary for a division of the Union army, and immediately reported for duty at Cincinnati. In that capacity he served until the close of the war in 1866.

His military career has been equally varied and honorable. As a commissary he enjoys the reputation of being one of the most efficient of the entire Union army. During his term of service he was assigned to duty in various departments as commissary, and in every position he increased the efficiency of the department in which he was called to serve. His remarkable ability as commissary was duly appreciated and handsomely acknowledged by his commanding officer. His military experience is full of startling interests and adventure; his duties were extremely trying and very arduous, and his responsibilities great. After the surrender of Lee the force was gradually reduced, and he was finally relieved in January, 1866, when he returned home.

His life has been eventful, and marked by several peculiar incidents, revealing in their detail the inherent traits of character and disposition that have led him on in business and crowned all his undertakings with success ; but the studied brevity of this sketch will not allow of their introduction.

Although an active business man, Major Toll has filled several civil positions of trust and responsibilitv. In 1845 and 1846 he was supervisor of the town of Lysander, Onondaga county, New York; in 1854 a member of the legislature; in 1859 elected sheriff, and in 1862 appointed war commissary in the Union army. He has been justice and supervisor of Clinton during the past five years.

In 1846 he joined the Odd-Fellows, and continued with that fraternity till he came west in 1856, and has recently renewed his fellowship.

He is a highly intelligent and respected member of the Baptist church, and contributes liberally to its support, having joined the denomination in 1839.

He married, in 1840, Eliza H., daughter of Richard Lusk, of Lysander, New York.

In politics, he is a republican, a decided and independent thinker.

At the close of the war in 1866, he built in Clinton, Iowa, one of the most elegant and superb business blocks in that vicinity, at a cost of over fifty thousand dollars. His public spirit, and his desire to improve and extend the town, induced him to make what subsequently prroved to be unprofitable investments in buildings and other enterprises both public and private. He suffered severe losses by fire at this period, and likewise by misplaced confidence in irresponsible and injudicious parties. In 1874 certain defalcations having been detected in the postoffice department at Clinton, he being one of the bondsmen, was appointed cashier for the time being, and in 1875 was himself made postmaster in place of the defaulter.

All his various and widely extended transactions have been throughout characterized by fair and open dealing, and an honest endeavor to do as he would be done by ; and they furnish ample proof of his comprehensive intellect and thorough business capacity. His reputation for financial ability and integrity of character have never yet been questioned. Major Toll, like his ancestors, is a man of strong and vigorous constitution, of a solid, compact organization, and a clear and active intellect. He is a man well qualified for business and social intercourse ; prompt, courteous and frank in his manners, and from his natural quickness of perception and his constant habit of mingling with men he has a clear and accurate knowledge of human nature. In the army he achieved an honorable record, and justly occupies a high position in the community where he resides.

Source:

The United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men. Iowa Volume.

Chicago and New York: American Biographical Publishing Company, 1878