Biographical sketch extracted from:

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887. pp. 760-761.

CHARLES MELVIN FRANCE, an active and enterprising citizen of Bluffton, and senior member of the law firm of France & Lee, was born in Windsor County, Vermont, June 8, 1833. His parents, Frederick and Alice (Stoughton) France, were born in the State of Vermont, the father of Welsh-German descent and the mother of Puritan ancestors. Twelve children were born to them, of whom only five survive—Charles M., our subject; William H. H., superintendent of the Adams County Infirmary; Martha P., of Willshire, Ohio, widow of George W. Place; Mary, also living in Willshire, is the widow of Seth Watkins, who was killed at the battle of Shiloh while in the Union service, and Philemon, living in Van Wert, Ohio. The father was a farmer by occupation. In 1846 he came West with his family and located in Licking County, Ohio. In May, 1853, he removed to Adams County, Indiana, locating on a farm in St. Mary’s Township, where he died the following September. He was a Universalist in his religious belief, and while living in Vermont was a member of the Universalist church. The mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, making her home with her son in Adams County. She is a member of the Baptist church at Pleasant Mills. Our subject, Charles M. France, was reared from his thirteenth year in Licking County, Ohio. In his youth he attended the district schools, and completed his education at the high school at Hartford, Ohio, where he spent eighteen months. On becoming of age he engaged in farming in Mercer County, Ohio, and for ten winters, until 1865, he taught school in Mercer County, Ohio, and in Adams County, Indiana. He settled in Adams County in 1865, where he followed farming until 1869. He then began reading law in the office of James R. Bobo, of Decatur, with whom he subsequently became associated in the practice of law under the firm name of Bobo & France. This partnership was dissolved in 1876. Mr. France continued to practice his chosen professor at Decatur until 1879, being at different times associated with others, and in November of that year he came to Bluffton, Wells County, where he has since been in constant practice. He was associated with Jay G. French as France & French until 1884, when he formed a partnership with M. W. Lee, thus forming the present law firm of France & Lee. Mr. France has been twice married. He was first married to Miss Miranda Thomas in Delaware County, Ohio, December 24, 1853. She died while on a visit in Whitley County in 1857. She left one son, John T., who is now an attorney at law at Decatur, Indiana. For his second wife Mr. France married Miss Elizabeth Santhrin, of Adams County, Indiana, the date of this marriage being October 20, 1870. In politics Mr. France is a Democrat. While living in Adams County he served as justice of the peace for twelve years. He is a Master Mason and is a member of the Masonic lodge at Decatur, and is also a member of the Knights ot Pythias lodge at Bluffton. Mrs. France is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.