COL Charles C. Dawes
1899 – 1970
USAR
WWI
Charles Cutler Dawes was born March 30, 1899 in Evanston to Rufus C. and Helen Palmer Dawes.
He was raised in a prominent family: his father was a banker, utilities executive, and civic leader who was President of the Century of Progress Exposition in the 30’s, and his uncle was the U.S. Vice President in the Coolidge administration.
In 1917, Dawes joined the Army Engineering Corps as a Private for service in World War I, and was discharged from active duty on February 4, 1919. He continued his service in the Illinois National Guard, where, at age 31, he became the youngest officer to attain the rank of Colonel.
On January 3, 1921, Dawes married Emily Ames McCormick in Evanston; they had two children before divorcing in 1936. He married, secondly, Mignon Harriet Burr (née McGibeny) on January 23, 1937, in Marion, Indiana; they raised her three children.
Col. Dawes had been commander of 202nd Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft) Regiment of the Illinois National Guard for ten years when it mustered into Federal service on September16, 1940, in Chicago. He and his family left their Evanston home and his investment banking businesses for assignment in the states of Texas and Washington. He continued as commander of the 202nd until 1946, retiring as a Brigadier General in the Illinois National Guard. [Aside: After 1946, he was always addressed as “General Dawes,” even though the highest rank attained on active duty was Colonel, as reflected on his government-provided Veteran gravestone.]
Dawes spent 18 years with the Monon (Burlington) Railroad, where he was Executive Vice President when he retired in 1964. He remained a member of the Board of Directors until his death. He was a member of the University Club of Chicago, Society of Colonial Wars, and Sons of the American Revolution. He was a member and past President of the Lake Zurich Golf Club.
Dawes was a resident of Barrington Hills for more than 15 years. After his wife’s death, he married widow Ione Ellis (née Judson) in May, 1968.
Colonel Charles Dawes died July 30, 1970 at Sherman Hospital in Elgin, and is buried with his wife Mignon in Barrington’s Evergreen Cemetery.
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Remember. Honor. Teach.
Courtesy of Signal Hill Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.