Charles F. Mudgett, Sr., was born November 14, 1868, the son of Gilman Clifford Mudgett, Sr. His father, a Civil War veteran, born in 1843, homesteaded in Rosebud township some thirteen miles south of Sanborn, North Dakota.

Charles F. Mudgett grew to manhood and attended school and at the age of 18 was hired as the first school teacher of newly formed school District # 72.

He attended a business college in Burlington, Iowa and in 1888 was working in the A. H. Gray lumber yard in Valley City. He joined Company "G" and went to the Philippines in 1898 as a Captain; while there he was appointed Collector of Customs for the Port of Manilla. Upon his return he went into the implement business and then into partnership in the McCulloch-Mudgett line of lumber Yards and grain elevators. He sold his partnership in 1915, the same year he married Nellie McDonald, sister of Hugh McDonald. In 1916 he became cashier of the First National Bank and in 1929 manager of the Bank of North Dakota.

During 1917-18 he served as a Major in the Adjutant-General's department of the Army and for his excellent work on General Pershing's staff, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He served as city treasurer, county commissioner and state senator while a resident of Barnes County.

Children born to Charles F. and Nellie (McDonald) Mudgett were: Helen (1897), Gilman (1901), Charles F. (Fritz) (1910), Florence (1911) and Jean (1913).

Gilman C. Mudgett, Jr., and Charles F. Mudgett, Jr., followed in the family military careers, serving in both World War II and Korean as Commanders. Gilman C. is deceased and Charles F. is retired.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 164