HON. CHARLES N. BYLES. – This is one of the town builders of the west. Out of his farm on Mound Prairie he has made Montesano a place of twelve hundred people. His father was a Presbyterian minister of Madisonville, Kentucky. Charles was born in 1844. In 1853 the family crossed the plains, and upon reaching Wallula struck out northwestward to the Sound, crossing the mountains via the Nahchess Pass. Moving down on Mound Prairie, they located a place fourteen miles south of Olympia. Here on these healthful fields the boy grew up to manhood, and, becoming of age, took a course in the Portland Commercial College.
This opened the way to an extensive contract of government surveying, lasting four years, which was performed with the assistance of a brother. With the avails of this work he bought the present site of Montesano, originally owned by a Mr. King. In 1883 he laid out the present city, and used all means to build up the town, making it remarkably prosperous and flourishing for a place in a region already well settled. In six years it has gained over one thousand inhabitants. In June, 1887, the bank was established, I.W. case of Astoria being one of the incorporators, and Mr. Byles the manager. In the political field he has been a conspicuous Republican, serving as county auditor form 1872 to 1876 and from 1876 to 1884 as county treasurer. He was married in 1870 to Miss Elizabeth J. Medcalf at Montesano. His domestic life has been as happy as his public career has been successful; and his home has been blessed by six children; four of whom are living.
