Charles E. Wales, the proprietor of the Wales hotel of Dubuque, and for many year one of the most active businessmen of Monticello, died at his home in Dubuque, yesterday afternoon, May 15th, after a long illness.
Mr. Wales was a native of Claremont, Hew Hampshire, and was born July 15, 1834. At 17 years of age he went to Boston, where he remained several years. In 1855 he turned his face toward the west and located at Dubuque, where he lived three years. He came to Monticello in 1858 before the building of the railroad, and engaged in the mercantile business with his father, Samuel Wales, and he afterwards disposed of that business and was in the stock and grain business for more than 20 years at Monticello. He and Matt Noyes, now one of the supervisors of Jones County, operated a dry goods store during the latter years that Mr. Wales resided here.

He left Monticello about 25 years ago for Dubuque, since which he has operate, first the Julian, and then the Wales hotels. He served as mayor of Monticello and held various other offices of trust. He was married to Calista I. Houghton, of Avon Springs, New York, July, 1859. Mrs. Wales, the first wife, died a number of years ago, and thereafter Mr. Wales was married to Miss Virginia Lewis, of Dubuque, who survives him. Mr. Wales is also survived by one daughter, Mrs. Clara Stout, the wife of Frank B. Stout, of Chicago.
Monticello never had a more active and progressive business man than Mr. Wales was. He was a hustler all the time, and naturally a man of wide influence with a large following of fast friends. After removing to Dubuque he identified himself prominently with the affairs of that city, but never lost his love for the old home, and never was too busy to sit down and talk with a Monticello wayfarer about the people and events of the town.

Submitted by: Steve Hanken
Source: Monticello Express, Monticello, Iowa, 16 May 1912
Photos: Encyclopedia Dubuque, www.encyclopediadubuque.org