Charles was born October 30, 1876 in Mickleyville, Marion County, Indiana to George and Mary (Murrell) Poland. 1876 was a tumultuous time in Indianapolis due to intimidation of non-whites that was occurring long after the 15th Amendement to the Constitution was ratified. May 3, 1876 was election day for city offices and was the occasion for the worst recorded violence against black citizens.
Charles grew up on the near west side of Indianapolis (around the 3200 block of West Washington street) with 5 siblings:
- Harry born 14 Jul 1871, married Katherine Keaney 7 Nov 1895, had 3 children and died in 1929.
- Margaret "Maggie" born 27 Jun 1872, married (1st) John Vanderman, had 3 children, married (2nd) Otis Rutledge, had 2 more children and died 24 Mar 1930.
- Frederick "Fred" born 30 Jul 1874, married Isabella Brock 11 Apr 1893, had 1 child and died 16 Oct 1902.
- John born 12 Oct 1878, married Emma Davis 29 Apr 1912, no known children, and died in 1953.
- Frank Poland born 19 Dec 1880, married (1st) Undine Sisco, no known children, married (2nd) Jennie Kirkpatrick 6 Sep 1929. Frank died 4 Dec 1954.
Charles went into the Livery and Hostler work that his father George was in. He is found as a single man in the city directories and 1900 census living at 208 W Maryland, 428 W Pearl and 3225 W Washington streets working as either a Hostler or Liveryman. A Hostler is defined as someone who worked in stables taking care of horses.
On May 1, 1901 Charles married Elizabeth Ellen Smith, the daughter of William Smith and Ellen Foster, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church 337 N. Warman Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana. I have not found any other Poland's associated with the Catholic Church and wonder if Charles may have converted for Elizabeth. No documentation has been found either way.
In January and February of 1902 there were a series of articles in the newspaper concerning Charles. It seems he got himself into a bit of trouble. Charles was arrested and charged with obtaining money by false pretenses for trading horses with a man named Robert Jolly. Jolly said the horse was recommended as sound, but when he arrived home the animal dropped to the ground and died. Jolly claimed the animal had been doped. The case was postponed and Charles denied the horse was doped, but on Feb 06, 1902 it appears the case was sent to the Grand Jury.
Poor Elizabeth was pregnant with their first born Bernice Josephine who was born on May 28, 1902. I didn't find an account of what happened with the case after it was sent to the Grand Jury, but it must not have been too bad as Charles went on having children with Elizabeth and being described as a horse dealer or trader in the city directories. Those children that they went on to have were:
- Helena Marie born 30 Sep 1903
- Regina Genevieve born 23 Sep 1905
- Mable Claire born 13 Aug 1908
- William Charles born 9 Apr 1908
Then in 1909, Charles found himself in trouble again. This time charged with Burglary.
Stealing from a meat market makes me wonder if it wasn't just to feed his family. He must have gotten off easy because Charles is listed as living with Elizabeth and the 5 children at 220 Hancock Ave in the 1910 census.
On Nov 10, 1911 Elizabeth gives birth to their 6th child (my grandfather). This must have brought all the joy that a new baby brings, but also must have been intensely burdensome for a father that was already caught stealing to provide for his family.
Tragically, the burden of providing for a wife and 6 children was too much for Charles as he took his own life on Dec 18, 1911 just over a month after my grandfather was born.
Charles is buried with his father George that died only a year before (Oct 21, 1910) in Mount Jackson Cemetery.
