Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1891 — CHARLES N. FELTON. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CHARLES N. FELTON.

The Record of the New Senator from California. Charles N. Felton was born in New York fifty-eight years ago, and in 1849, at the age of 17, came to California. Following the fashion of the pioneers, he first turned his attention to mining. He worked placers in Placer, Yuba, and other counties until 1853, and then, realizing the possibilities of mercantile pursuits, threw down his pick and pan and opened a country store in Downieville. This Sierra town was then the scene of marked mining activity, and young Felton, shrewd, plucky and pushing, managed io get a fall stare. of. the general prospent". Two years* later he found a wider gjjhe r e of T yi 7r?S n tilQ in Marysville, and until 18 jf he WAS iiuni-' bered amongthat lively city’s leading merchants. By this time Mr. Felton realized that finance was his specialty. Naturally enough he next blossomed out as a Nevada City banker. He conducted a successful banking business for six years. In 1863 he had gained sufficient experience and accumulated enough money to venture into the metropolis of the Pacific. His first political office was that of Tax Collector of Yuba County. He was then a Democrat, and during the Know-Nothing fight he was the only

successful Democrat on his ticket. His ticket ran behind the Know-Nothings from 1,200 to 1,500, but Felton’s jopularity won him the office on a majority of five votes. His second political office was his appointment as United States Sub Treasurer and Treasurer of the San Francisco Mint, which office he held for years. In 1880 he was sent by San Mateo County to the Assembly of his State, and two years afterward was returned. The next election he refused to be again nominated. Six years ago he was sent to Congress from th 3 Fifth district, and during the last four years, although not officially connected with national legislation, has been a prominent figure at Washington. Having abundant leisure and an interest in the State, he has been of much help to the California delegation in Congress, and his advice and influence have been sought after in Congress nearly as much as though he were a senator. Mr. Felton is a widower. v His estimable wife died fourteen years ago, leaving him a son and a daughter. The son is now 21 years old and the daugb-

ter 25. She is the wife of William L. Elkins, Jr., of Philadelphia, a clever and successful young man of excellent family.