Charles E. Leslie came to Carrington in 1900 to be a partner with T.F. McCue. While by profession a lawyer it appears that his main occupation was developing the telephone system which had been started by C.L. King of Harvey. Leslie took over the company in 1901 when King was declared bankrupt. With the assistance of his two sons Myron and Charles, the system in Carrington and the surrounding area was extended and improved. Leslie continued the management of the telephone enterprise until 1906 when it was sold to a Valley City concern. The development of the telephone system is told in detail elsewhere.

In 1904 Leslie ran for and was elected States Attorney. He held that office for the one term and after disposing his telephone interests moved to Minneapolis in 1906. Later he was practicing law in Hillsboro.

Besides his two sons the Leslies had a daughter Ruth. As a senior in high school, Class of 1905, she competed in and won the state declamation contest at Grand Forks.

Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 217