Age 22 years enlisted August 1, 1861 mustered in September 18, 1861 as Private with Co. C. 37th Illinois Infantry mustered out October 4, 1864.

Charles Annis was born November 10, 1839 at Parishville, NY, the son of Charles and Rosanna (Place) Annis. As a young man, Charles went west, first to Illinois and later Wisconsin, with his elder brothers, Henry B. Annis and Benjamin Annis. Charles enlisted as a Private with Company "C", 37th Illinois Infantry on August 1, 1861 at Waukegan, IL. He claimed residence in Wauconda, IL at that time and his regiment was mustered into United States service at Chicago, IL six weeks later. He participated in many battles and skirmishes in Arkansas, Missouri, and Mississippi, and in July 1863 fought in the Siege of Vicksburg. It is not clear when he married his first wife, Eleanor R. Gale, daughter of Curtis Annis Gale (his father's second cousin), but she died on June 29, 1863 while Charles was serving in Mississippi.
After the war he resided at Lake Mills, WI and married March 4, 1866 to Adlah Consuela Gale at Lake Mills, younger sister of his first wife Eleanor. Charles and Adlah had eight children: George F., 1867, Charles C., 1870; Eleanor R., 1874; Tracey E., 1877; Frederick G., 1880; Cora M., 1883; Frank B., 1886; Hubert L, 1888.
He later moved to Volo, IL where he resided until 1884 when he went to Kill Creek, KS. In 1900 he removed to Oklahoma with his children Cora, Frank and Hubert. After building a large two-room sod house, with shingle roof, they settled in to a life of farming. Adlah became the first postmistress of what became Freedom, OK. She was the one that submitted "Freedom" for the name of the town to the U.S. Postal Service.
Charles was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), Knights and Ladies of Security, and was a Republican in politics. He died on December 4, 1909 at Freedom, OK and is buried there.
Charles' lineage is: Charles Annis 1794-1866, Jacob Annis 1769-1848, Jacob Annis 1741-1812, John Annis 1700-c.1771, Abraham Annis 1668-1738, Cormac Annis 1638-1717.