Bench and bar of Michigan : a volume of history and biography BENCH AND BAR OF MICHIGAN Pages 499. & 500. CHARLES FLOWERS, Detroit. MR. FLOWERS was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, December 14, 1845. His parents were JOSEPH and SARAH (PICKERING) FLOWERS. His mother was a descendant of TIMOTHY FLOWERS, Secretary of State under WASHINGTON, and of Revolutionary fame. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, and of the Quaker faith. His father was of old English and Dutch descent, and his ancestors emigrated to Pennsylvania very early in the history of the colony. His parents, now both deceased, lived on a farm in Bucks County, on which CHARLES remained until about eighteen years of age, helping his father with the farm work and attending the public schools during the winter season. He left home at this period of his life for the first time, and made his way to New York City, where he was given employment as a stenographer in the offices of the Grand Trunk Railway. He then attended the Collegiate Institute at Fort Edwards for two years. He was employed by the government for a time to report military commissions in Raleigh, North Carolina. Leaving this service he returned to New York and took up the study of law with BANGS, SEDGWICK and NORTH. He was with them a year and in 1886 came to Detroit. In that city he secured a position as reporter in the Wayne Circuit and United States Courts, which he held for thirteen years. During this time he reported the proceedings of the constitutional conventions of Pennsylvania, Illinois and Ohio. He also continued the study of law while engaged in reportorial work, and had JUDGE BROWN as his preceptor. This eminent gentleman was presiding over the United States District Court of Detroit, but now is on the Bench of the Supreme Court. He was admitted to the Bar in 1878, but continued reporting until 1880. He was then elected Circuit Court Commissioner, and served a term of four years. In 1884 he was nominated as a candidate for prosecuting attorney but was defeated. He then took up the practice of his profession in which he has been engaged to the present time. He was appointed member of the Fire Commission in April, 1895, which position he still holds. He is now Corporation Counsel for Detroit, having received his appointment in July, 1896 from MAYOR PINGREE. He has always taken an active part in politics, and is an earnest worker for the Republican Party. He made the nominating speech presenting GOVENOR PINGREE before the Grand Rapids Convention, and was complimented for its manifest ability and oratorical power. In the practice of law, he has won a place for himself that is both honorable and prominent. Capable men in the profession who know him willingly accord to him the possession of brilliant parts and demonstrated ability. He was married to MISS MARY E. DE NORMANDIE, a native of Pennsylvania in 1868. They have three children, one of whom, NORMAN, is engaged in practice with his father, and is a graduate of the Law Department of the University of Michigan. ===================================================== Jacqueline Sleeper Russell website: http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=SRCH&db=jacquelinesr&surna me=A