Charles Edward Wiles, younger son of Melissa (née Nelson) and Henry Greenberry Wiles, was born on 15 April 1872 in Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland.

Charles Edward Wiles, of Washington, D.C., and Margaret Leticia Wills, of Hagerstown, were married on 19 October 1897 at the bride's residence. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. S. Rabbia, Rector of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

By 1900, the couple resided in Washington, D. C., where both worked in retail. He was shoe salesman; she was a department store assistant manager.

Notes

Date of birth from Social Security claim. Having been born prior to 11 Sep 1872, he did not have to register for the draft.

1880 U.S. Census, E.D. 162, Hagerstown, Washington Co., Maryland; North Potomac St., dwelling 127, family 142, lines 39-44, p. 344B (printed), p. 14 (written), 7 Jun 1880.
39. Wiles, Henry, 52, widowed, carpenter, born in Maryland; parents in Md.
40. ----- Lizzie, 21, daughter, keeping house, Maryland.
41. ----- Carrie, 19, daughter, Maryland.
42. ----- Jessie, 13, daughter, Maryland.
43. ----- Franklin, 10, son, Maryland.
44. ----- Charlie, 8, son, Maryland..
45. Richards, Liza, 19, s[tep] daughter, born in Maryland; parents in Md.
• Sister Bertha Olivia, age 6, omitted.

Private Charles E. Wiles mentioned as a member of the Washington Light Infantry Corps, a militia. ("Company C's Reception," The Evening Times, Washington, D.C., 23 Feb 1897, p. 5.) He was dishonorably discharged in 1900.

Marriage license: Charles Edward Wiles & Margaret Leticia Wills, 19 Oct 1897, Washington Co., Maryland (license #5461). Groom, age 25, resident of Washington, D.C.; bride, age 24, resident of Hagerstown. Image of original. Washington County Free Library, "Washington County MD Marriages 1897-1898 (5451-5910)." The Wiles family seems to have been Methodist Episcopal.

1900 U.S. Census, E.D. 129, Washington, District of Columbia; dwelling 292, family 321, lines 16-21, p. 190 (printed), p. 16A (written), 9 Jun 1900.
20. "Willes," Chas., head, Mar 1871, 29, married 2 years; born in Maryland, parents in Maryland; shoe clerk.
21. ----- Margaret, wife, Mar 1872, 28, married 2 years, no children; born in Maryland; parents in Maryland.
• Living in a residential hotel on D St., SE.

1940 U.S. Census, E.D. 1-66, Police Precinct 2, Tract 50, Washington, District of Columbia; Plymouth Apartments, lines 31-32, p. 746 (printed), p. 10A (written), 13 Apr 1940.
31. Wiles, Charles E., head, 68, Maryland, salesman, shoe store.
32. ----- Margaret L., wife, 66, Maryland, assistant manager, department store.

Too old for the WWII old man's draft registration.

"Suddenly, on Wednesday, January 29, 1958, CHARLES EDWARD WILES [...] husband of the late Margaret L. Wiles, uncle of Mrs. Carrie B. Chiswell [...] nine nieces and nephews [...] Interment Fort Lincoln Cemetery." ("Wiles, Charles Edward," The Evening Star, Washington, D. C., 31 Jan 1958, p. A-16.)

Reviewed 29 January 2023.