Biography - CHARLES W. SOAPES

Charles W. Soapes, a member of the board of county supervisors of Macoupin county and one of the well established business men of Staunton, is a native of this county, his birth having occurred in Dorchester township, October 14, 1866. He is a son of William and Margaret (Cathern) Soapes, the former of whom was born in Kentucky. He came with his parents to Illinois when he was a boy, the family settling in Christian county. There he grew to manhood, after which he moved to' Shelby county and in 1862 located in Dorchester township, Macoupin county. He engaged in farming until fifteen years ago, since which time he has resided at Staunton. The mother of our subject was born in Shelby county, Illinois, and was married to Mr. Soapes in her native county. She died at Staunton in 1905 and is buried in the Hand cemetery. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Soapes were six children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being: Henry, deceased; Anna, the wife of Thomas Landers, of Staunton; Charles W., of this sketch; and Eva, also deceased.

As Charles W. Soapes grew to manhood he assisted upon his father’s farm and in the district schools of Dorchester township he received the rudiments of an education. He continued at home until twenty-two years of age and then began business upon his own account by opening a butcher shop at Bunker Hill. Later he came to Staunton and for six months worked at a coal shaft. At the end of this time he became clerk in the general store of H. A. Jones, of Staunton, and continued in that position for three years, during which time he gained a practical knowledge of business that has been of great advantage to him in conducting his own affairs. Ten years ago he entered the feed business with which he has ever since been connected. He erected a warehouse on the same grounds as his home, on Main street, and is at the head of one of the most flourishing feed stores in the city, many of his patrons being among the largest buyers of the community.

In 1900 Mr. Soapes was married to Miss Tillie Hiffmann, a native of Staunton, and they have three children, Ralph, Kenneth and Lorine. Mr. Soapes is not identified with any denomination but his wife is a valued member of the Lutheran church. He is prominently identified with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics gives his support to the democratic party. He filled the office of highway commissioner for nine years and is now serving his second term as a member of the board of county supervisors, and has discharged his duties with a fidelity that meets the warm approval of taxpayers. Having early learned to depend upon himself, he developed a judgment that has greatly assisted in his advancement as a business man and also has proved of material benefit to him in other relations of life. A man of decision of character and knowledge gained by direct contact with the world, he is justly esteemed for his integrity and can claim a host of friends throughout this section.

Extracted 20 Oct 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 197-198.