One of the native sons of Miami county, Charles A. McCoole was born at Fredericksburg, Miami county, on the 8th of November, 1858, his parents being William and Mary E. (Hoover) McCoole. The father was also a native of Fredericksburg and a son of Y. G. and Margaret (Cloyd) McCoole. The grandfather was a shoemaker by trade and operated a shop at Fredericksburg, where he died at the age of seventy-five years. His wife passed away many years previous. William McCoole and Mary Hoover were married in Fredericksburg, although the latter was reared near West Milton. The former learned the shoe maker's trade and remained in his native town until after the inauguration of the civil war, when he joined the army as a member of Company B, Ninety-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving as a teamster with the regiment. He remained at the front until the close of the war, and is now connected with the Grand Army Post at Troy, taking a very active interest in its work. During his service his wife had removed to the property three miles west of Troy, in Concord township, Miami county, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring when he had reached the age of fifty-eight years. His widow still resides at the old homestead. In politics he was a stalwart Republican, unswerving in his support of the principles of the party. He believed it his duty to advocate that organization and would not even vote for a friend on the opposition ticket, He worked untiringly and effectively in behalf of Republican interests and was likewise prominent in local Grand Army circles. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCoole were born five children. Captain J. B., who is living in Troy; Mary Elizabeth, who became the wife of James Robbins, of Concord township, and died at the age of thirty-five years; Charles, of this review; James, who died in childhood; and Sherman, who lives with his mother.

Charles A. McCoole spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads. The opening of spring caused him to make his way to the fields, where he assisted in the plowing and planting, and his time was largely occupied there until the crops were harvested in the autumn. After attaining his majority he rented a farm, remaining at home until his marriage. On the 21st of October, 1880, he led to the marriage altar Miss Callie Myers, a daughter of Charles and Minnie Myers, both natives of Germany. Their marriage, however, was celebrated in Troy, Ohio, and the mother is still living at Grayson Station. The father died at his home in Concord township in February, 1879, when in the prime of life. They had a family of two sons and four daughters: Augusta became the wife of Fred Raymer, of Staunton township, and died at the age of forty-two years; Elizabeth became the wife Frank Wilhelm, of Staunton township; Mrs. McCoole is the next; Minnie is the wife of Ferdinand Prakel, of Elizabeth township; Charles resides in Staunton township; and William died at the age of nineteen years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCoole have been born three children: James Walter, who died at the age of seven years; Emma, who is attending school; and Helen, the baby, who is with her parents.

After his marriage Mr. McCoole rented a farm in Staunton township, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until 1891, when he purchased his present farm of forty acres, situated in Elizabeth township on the Troy and Charleston pike, about four and a half miles from Troy, and this is known as the Jerry Dye farm and is one of the oldest developed places in the county. Mr. McCoole is progressive and practical in his farming methods, and his marked industry has resulted in securing to him a comfortable competence. He is a member of the Bethel Christian church in Concord, and his wife holds membership in the English Lutheran church of Troy. In politics he is a Republican, unswerving in his support of the principles of the party. In all his relations with his fellow men he has manifested those sterling traits of character which everywhere command respect, and the county may be proud to number him among her native sons.