CHARLES L. ENGLE, who ranks among the best of the many excellent farmers tilling the fertile lands of Gill township, Sullivan county, Indiana, is a native of Jackson township, this county, born November 16, 1859, a son of Joseph B. and Letitia (Rusher) Engle, both natives of Hamilton township, Sullivan county, Indiana. Joseph B. Engle was born May 15, 1822, and was a farmer, as was his father, who was a native of Kentucky and served as a soldier in the wrar of 1812-14. He made his home in Hamilton township, Sullivan county, with his son, and there died. His wife had died previously. Joseph B. Engle served in the Mexican war one year, having enlisted in May. 1846. After his return from that war he engaged in farming and also became interested in lumbering and saw- milling. Subsequently he moved to Jackson township, remained there a few years, and then came back to his farm, where his son now resides. The father died there May 24, 1904, and his wife, who was born April 8, 1832, still survives and lives with her son, Charles L.
Charles L. Engle received the most of his schooling at the district schools of Hamilton township. In his father's family there were five children. of whom he is the youngest. He was a dutiful son assisting about the farm work, or whatever seemed best for the general interest of the family, until twenty-four years of age. Then he bought his brother's interest in the homestead, consisting of eighty acres. Here he continued to farm, later adding forty acres more to his place and making substantial improvements on the premises, until now he possesses one of the finest farm homes within the county, including an almost palatial residence. He does a general farming business as well as raises much stock. In church connection he is of the Christian faith, as were his parents. In his political views he is a faithful supporter of the Republican party, but has never aspired to public office. He has long been a member of the Odd Fellows' order, having passed through all of the chairs of the society at Carlisle.
Mr. Engle was united in marriage May 7, 1883, to Louise B. Willard, a sketch of whose family will be found under the head of Rufus O. Willard, her father. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Willard: Nellie, wife of Frank Mickle, of Grape Creek, Illinois, where he is a telegraph operator; Abbie, in the high school of Carlisle, and residing with her parents; Marie, at home, in high school also; Joseph, at home; Gertrude, at home; Rufus, at home; Alice, at home; William, the second in the family, is deceased.