My Genealogy Hound

Charles H. Orchard, secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Clark Mercantile Company, at Salem, of which he is also a member, was born in Salem, Mo., in 1860, and is the son of J. M. and Martha E. (Mitchell) Orchard. Charles H. Orchard was educated in the Salem public schools, and at the age of sixteen began clerking in a store at that place. At the age of nineteen he began as book keeper and assistant manager at West Plains, in the branch store of H. B. Clark & Bro. at that place, where he remained for two years. Then for two years he was salesman at Salem for the same firm. For about two years he was manager of their branch store at Cuba, and then returned to West Plains, where he became a partner of Hill & Co., successors to H. B. Clark & Bro. He remained there for a short time, or until he began for the present firm, which was organized September 1, 1888, as successors to A. H. & H. B. Clark. They are carrying a general stock of merchandise, with a capital stock of $15,000. Mr. Orchard was married in 1887 to Miss Alice M., daughter of Capt. F. L. and E. E. Withaup, and who was born near Richland, Mo. Her parents are now living in Salem, Mo., and her father was captain in the United States army during the late war. Mrs. Orchard is a member of the Episcopal Church, and by her marriage became the mother of one child. Mr. Orchard is a Democrat in his political principles, and his first presidential vote was for Grover Cleveland in 1884. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., West Plains Lodge, and is a member of the Baptist Church.