City: Knoxville
WELLER, Charles Ashburn, mining and manufacturing; born Augusta Co., Va., Feb. 6, 1858; Scotch-Irish and German descent; son of Addison and Sarah Elizabeth (Keeran) WELLER; father minister of the gospel; paternal grandparents Benjamin and Catharine (Bish) WELLER; maternal grandparents Eli and Mary Elizabeth (Rinker) KEERAN; educated at Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Va., and Va. Polytechnic Institute, graduating from the latter with B. S. degree in 1878; in 1877 he won oratorical contest and medal; 1878 was valedictorian of class; 1878 to 1880 he studies law under Judge Turner of the Twelfth District of Va.; entered brokerage business at Knoxville, Tenn., in 1886, representing Armour Packing Co., and later became southern manager Schwarzschild & Sulzburger Co.; in 1894 entered the mining business as a mining engineer, and has since been interested in the development of the mineral resources of Tenn.; in 1901 he became vice-president and general manager Commercial Mining and Milling Co., which position he now holds, and is also vice-president of Knight Weller Co., of Knoxville, Tenn., Pittsburg, Pa., and Washington, D. C.; married Alice Brent PIERCE, June 13, 1883; member B. P. O. E., Beta Theta Pi fraternity, Travelers’ Protective Association, and has served as state president of latter asociation (sic) and is at present chairman of railroad committee of same; Democrat; commissioned by Gov. Taylor as state representative at the International Mining Congress, Milwaukee, Wis., 1896; served as captain and adjutant Third Tenn. Regiment, and captain and inspector rifle practice Tenn. National Guards; member of Episcopal church.
