Charles Anthony Piner, aged 77 years.

Charles was of seven brothers and sisters, only one of whom, Stephen M. Piner, of this village, is now living.

In 1848, at the age of 21, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Hand, who lives to mourn his death.

In 1849, Mr. Piner crossed the plains with his wife and child in an ox wagon, settling first in Napa county, California, in 1850, thence removing in 1852 to the present site of Santa Rosa, where he was one of the early settlers.

In 1858, he removed to Ukiah, in Mendocino county, from which place he came to Lake county, locating here in 1861. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Piner, all but one of them being Native sons or daughters, and seven of them surviving their father.

Named in order of their births, the children are given as follows: George W. Piner, Mrs. Jennie Renfro, Mrs. Katherine Robison (deceased), Mrs. Mary Williams, Charles S. Piner, Violet Piner (deceased), John S. Piner, Mrs. Marilda Rideout, Henry Piner (deceased), and Mrs. Rosa Norton.

Mr. Piner rejoiced in the artless prattle of thirty-five grandchildren, thirty of whom are now living, and twenty of them being present at their grandfather's funeral. Of great-grandchildren twenty-one have been born, eighteen surviving him, eleven of whom attended his funeral. It has been remarked as a notable fact in the known history of Mr. Piner's family that five times it has occurred that there were five generations of the name living.

Few men have lived through the stressful pioneer days of California as blamelessly as Charles Piner. To every resident of this community he was affectionately known as "Uncle Charlie." His funeral was one of the most largely attended that has occurred in the history of Kelseyville.

All the business houses in town closed as the sorrowing friends and relatives paced the last solemn journey from the dead man's late residence to his final resting place, and the public schools in town closed for the afternoon on Tuesday (the day of the burial). At the house, Elder McCash, of Lakeport, delivered an affecting sermon, after Elder J. J. Bruton had uttered a heartfelt prayer to the giver of all things over the mortal remains of his life-long friend. Ten stalwart grandsons of the dead man bore his body to the grave. More than a hundred vehicles were in the funeral procession, fourteen conveyances being required for the relatives alone. The last words were spoken committing his form to Mother Earth, and the friends dispersed to their several homes, truly grieving that his face should be seen no more among us, yet just as truly rejoicing that the dead man's kind words and gentle nature still live and are imperishable so long as we have memory. To him, the sweet peace he has earned! To us, the strife of the living, but with the advantage of his worthy life as an example!

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