From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. II, p. 1159
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902

CHARLES GUIER

   For about twenty-three years the subject of this review has had his abiding place in Rice county, Kansas, and has occupied a prominent position among the leading citizens of the community.  Thus he is too well known to need introduction here, and without further preface we pass on to a sketch of his life, which, including as it does, a war record and many years on the frontier, is both interesting and instructive.

   Mr Guier was born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, in 1841.  His father, Gideon Guier, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He followed farming as a life occupation.  The mother of our subject was in her maidenhood Jane Kirkpatrick, and was a native of Ohio.  After their marriage Mr and Mrs Guier removed to the lead mines in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where he followed mining and farming.  A short time afterward, however, they went to Grant county, Wisconsin, in 1841, where they remained until their death.  The mother passed away at the age of thirty years, dying on the fourteenth birthday of our subject.  The father reached the ripe old age of ninety years, and remained true to the memory of his loved wife during the remainder of his lifetime.  They were the parents of six children:  Mary Jane Ramsey, now deceased; Ed, who was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and now resides near Minneapolis, Minnesota; Isabell Alguier, of Plattsville, Wisconsin; Anna Huntington, also a resident of Plattsville; and Josephine Spencer, a widow residing in that city.  The father of this family was a supporter of Republican principles.

   Charles Guier, the immediate subject of this review, was reared to farm life in Grant county, Wisconsin.  At the age of twenty years, in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, he enlisted for three years’ service in the Civil war, under command of Colonel Cutler.  He afterward served under Colonel Bragg, and next under Captain E A Whaley.  Mr Guier took part in the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, South Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, the Wilderness and Petersburg.  He witnessed the mine explosion at the last-named place, and he there veteranized.  He afterward received a thirty days’ furlough and on the expiration of that period rejoined his regiment and went to the front, becoming a member of the Army of the Potomac.  At the battle of the wilderness he was wounded by a piece of shell.  He was a member of the Iron Brigade, under General Warren, and at the close of the war was in the vicinity of Richmond, Virginia.  He was sick with a fever at Fredericksburg, and was confined in the hospital for one month.  His army record is one of which he has every reason to be proud, for he was a valiant soldier, and loyally did his duty on the field of battle.  He was present at the grand review at Washington, and after his discharge he returned to his home in Wisconsin, where he took up the quiet pursuits of the farm.

   In Grant county, Wisconsin, in 1869, Mr Guier was united in marriage to Laura Taylor, who was born in that county, a daughter of Fountain and Delilah Taylor, both dying in Wisconsin.  Their son, John Taylor, was a soldier in the Civil war, becoming a member of the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, and he now resides in Wisconsin.  After his marriage our subject removed to Wabash county, Indiana, where he remained for six years.  In the fall of 1878 he came to Rice county, Kansas, where he secured a homestead of eighty acres, and as time passed he added to that tract until he owned a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, all under a high state of cultivation.  He has since sold eighty acres of the place to his son.  His farm is located two and a half miles from Geneseo, and there he has a good residence which is located on a natural building site, a large barn, and all necessary buildings and improvements.

   The union of Mr and Mrs Guier was blessed with three living children, namely:  John, who resides at Henrietta, Indian Territory; Frank, who owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Galt township, Rice county, and is engaged in general farming; and Eula, who is now seventeen years of age and is at home.  One daughter, Hattie, died at the age of eighteen months.  Mrs Guier died at the early age of thirty-five years, in December, 1891.  She was a loving wife and mother, a kind neighbor and a true friend, and she was loved and respected by all who knew her.  Of the Seventh Day Adventist church, she was an active and worthy member.  Mr Guier is a firm believer in Republican principles, and is a man who keeps himself well posted on the topics of the day, takes an active interest in public issues and is progressive, prominent and popular.