BIOGRAPHIES: Charles NUNN, Rice Lake, Barron County, WI

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**Posted for informational purposes only - poster is not related to the 
subject of this biography and has no further information.

Charles Nunn, deceased. The history of the Chippewa Valley, Rice Lake 
and the eventful career of Charles Nunn, have been so closely interwoven 
that it would be next to impossible to write the history of the former 
without giving more than a passing notice of the latter. One of the 
pioneers, not only of the Chippewa Valley, but of the upper Mississippi 
river, he was a prominent character amongst the many strong men who were 
foremost in pushing the peaceful but laborious conquest of civilization 
in new and untried directions, and to whom we who behold this vast 
territory now, (so short a time since a wilderness that we can scarcely 
realize its shortness) dotted with villages and busy cities and princely 
homes, and threaded with railroads, are too apt to forget our indebtedness. 
In the early days of the upper Mississippi navigation, when St. Paul was 
much smaller than Rice Lake is at the present day, few men on the whole 
extent of the river were better known than Charles Nunn. A man of untiring 
energy and recognized integrity, of strong and determined mind, quick and 
decisive in manner, and of the most versatile resourses, he was always 
remarkable for the courteous address and unstudied kindliness which he 
carried into the most commonplace business transactions. An English 
gentleman of education and refinement, brought into contact with people of 
all classes and nationalities, he had the same refreshing courtliness for 
all and at all times. His memory was most retentive, and with the bright 
and active judgement which he brought to bear upon all questions, he 
combined an inexhaustible fund of anecdote and reminiscence, which, with 
his polished address and kindly presence, impressed his personality 
indelibly upon all who were fortunate enough to come in contact with him, 
for however short a time.

Mr. Nunn was born April 22, 1835, at Aldborough, in Suffolk, a quiet 
seaside town on the east coast of England, chiefly known as the birthplace 
and early home of the poet Crabbe. After his school days he studied 
chemistry, a profession of which he was always fond, and which he practiced 
both in England and in this country. The last years of his life in England 
were spent in London, where, through the influence of his friend, the late 
eminent Milner Gibson, he was offered a position in one of the large shipping 
houses in Soho Square. He came to this country in 1857, and entered the 
employ of Arnold, Constable & Co., at New York. The following year he moved 
to Read's Landing, Minn., where he remained until 1874, part of the time in 
the employ of T. B. Wilson & Co., and afterward engaged in various businesses, 
sometimes very extensive, under the style of Charles Nunn & Co. During this 
period he was postmaster for a term of six years, and for many years agent for 
a line of Mississippi steamers, and for several marine and fire insurance 
companies. October 29, 1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Abbie L. 
Barnes who, with two children, Miss Emily and Mr. Charles F., survive him. Of 
the latter, Charles Francis, it may be said he is a graduate of Bryant & 
Stratton's Commercial college at Chicago, and of the Minnesota Institute of 
Pharmacy.

Mr. Nunn was one of the earliest settlers in Rice Lake, having removed there 
from Read's Landing in 1874, and has been more than any other one man 
identified with the growth and prosperity of the place. He was for many years 
cashier and local agent for the Knapp, Stout & Co. Company, and resigned his 
position only a few months before his death, to take part in the reorganization 
and incorporation of the bank at Rice Lake. From the time of his first residence 
in Rice Lake, he was always one of her most loyal citizens, having an abiding 
faith in her future that never faltered, and he lived long enough to see many of 
his hopes realized. He was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand to any 
measure tending to advance the best interests of his town, or to help the 
unfortunate. He not only transacted an immense amount of business for his 
employers and himself, but for parties who came to him for advice and assistance, 
and the memory of his many kind deeds will long be kept green in the hearts of his 
fellow-citizens. He was for a number of years, before the incorporation of the 
city, treasurer of the school district, and of Grace Episcopal church which he 
was chiefly instrumental in building. At the time of his death he held the office 
of city treasurer. One of the victims of "la grippe," the terrible malady, which 
at that time swept across the globe, Mr. Nunn was stricken down only a very short 
time after the organization of the bank, of which he was a charter member, and 
when upon the very threshold of new and diversified undertakings. His death 
occurred February 1, 1890, after an illness of little more than a week. The 
funeral took place two days later, at Grace church, and was the largest ever held 
in the county, numbers being unable to obtain an entrance into the edifice, and 
the remains being followed to Meadow Creek cemetery, where they were laid to rest, 
by a long procession of mourners. The public schools and most places of business were 
closed during the day, flags were at half mast, and a temporary arch, erected 
opposite the council chamber, across the line of march, was draped in black. At 
the meeting of the city council the same evening, the following resolutions were 
passed:

"Whereas, Death has taken from our midst one of our oldest and most public spirited 
citizens, Charles Nunn,

"Therefore, be it resolved, That we, the common council of the city of Rice Lake, 
in behalf of its members and the citizens of the city, do express our sense of the 
great loss thus sustained, and our sympathy for the bereaved family.

"Further resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of this meeting, 
and that the city clerk be instructed to forward an engrossed copy of the same to 
the surviving family of the deceased citizen, friend, father and husband, Charles 
Nunn."

Adopted by a rising vote.

Resolutions of sympathy were also adopted by the employes of the Knapp, Stout & Co. 
Company, with whom he had so long been associated, the Bank of Rice Lake and other 
bodies.

In politics, Mr. Nunn was a republican.

-Transcribed from the "Historical and Biographical Album of the Chippewa 
Valley Wisconsin, 1891-2", page 402-404.