Written by Lorraine Pearson Skeen from information received from Charles’ grandsons, Max Rhead of Plain City and Vernon Charles Skeen of Twin Falls
Charles Skeen was born November 18, 1972, the second child and the second son of Lyman Stoddard and Electa Philomlia Dixon Skeen in Plain City, Utah
He worked as a young man with his father Lyman when he was working construction. Charles was the horse herder. He made sure all the horses were taken care of at night and he was up first in the morning making sure they were ready to begin the days work.
He married Margaret Nichol on November 6, 1890 at Ogden, Weber, Utah. They were the parents of nine children, Hazel Margaret Skeen Rhead, Elmer Charles Skeen, Grace Helen Skeen Stanger, Leroy Nichol Skeen, Sabra Electa Skeen Cook, Gladys Virginia Skeen Harden, Viola Skeen, Vera Leona Skeen, and Harold Lyman Skeen.
He later moved to Twin Falls, Idaho and worked for the Sugar Company, supervising the feeding of the cattle and horses, which was a huge operation.
Charles loved horses and broke many horses for different people in the area.
After leaving the Sugar Company he became the Canal Rider for the Twin Falls area irrigation company. He worked at this for about 35 years. Today he would be called the water boss. Charles would ride his horse along the canal and when he went to turn the water into the ditch, he would just drop the reins and the horse would wait for him to get back on. If he decided to walk to the next ditch, the horse would follow along behind him.
Charles chewed Horse Shoe Chewing Tobacco. He would cut himself off a piece and also cut one off for his horse. One day he forgot to cut the horse his share and bent over to open the head gate and the horse nudged him and pushed him into the water. He nearly drowned. You can bet he never did that again. His grandson, Vernon C. Skeen from Twin Falls said in this 35 years he went through about 15 horses. He finally stopped chewing tobacco and went to Bubble Gum.
When he returned home a night and rode down Main Street, it was just like a parade. Everyone would come out and say, “Hello,” and greet him.
Charles lived on Main Avenue East. One side of the garage was for the car, the other for his horses.
Charles wife, Margaret, was a great tease and once when Theron Rhead, a grandson was visiting, a horse passed the house and as he did he left a little memento. Margaret told Theron to “get a bucket and get the apples.” Imagine his surprise when he saw the “Apples”.
Charles also owned a Model T Ford. On a trip to California he wasn’t sure how much oil to put in the car. He stopped every few miles and add more oil.
Charles died November 20, 1962 at Twin Falls, Idaho and was buried there. His nephew, Charles Clyde Skeen said he is the only Skeen he ever knew that was buried without a full head of hair.