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CHARLES McKUNE, Manlius, was born in Oakland, Susquehanna Co., Penn., July 10, 1817. His early life was spent in farming and lumbering. When about twenty-one years old he went on to the Susquehanna River, and floated lumber down the river during the freshets. The next spring he became a pilot, and continued for thirteen years, being successful in conducting the rafts down the river, without loss. He was also engaged in the lumber business for himself, but lost everything he had during a freshet, the lumber being carried away and lost. Two years later he had managed to save $500, and with that started West, reaching Bureau county in 1846. In the fall of the same year he came to Manlius Township, being one of the first settlers. He built the first fence in the township He now owns 450 acres of land, part of which he entered from the Government. He has always given his attention to farming, in which he has been very successful. Mr. McKune was married in his native county at the age of twenty-eight years to Elizabeth Bachelor, who died in this county. She was the mother of six children, viz.: Frances A., now of Indian Territory, and for several years a teacher in the schools there; Lovina, wife of David Barber, of Iowa; Josephine, wife of Dr. S. B. Waldin, of Michigan; Sarah, wife of Walter Lyons, of New Mexico; Ella, wife of Arthur Walker, of Wyanet. Marion, on the home farm, married to Ada Bastian. Mr. McKune was again married to Miranda Chapman of Henry County, Ill. She has one child - Joseph; born September, 1874. In politics Mr. McKune votes with the Republican party. He is a member of the Free Methodist Church.