Charles was my Great Grandfather

                      

     In January 1924 Charles and his wife Marceline sailed to Amercia
     on the SteamShip La Savoie.
     The trip had to be miserable judging from the look of the
     pictures they took. See them here:
            SHIP PIC     ONBOARD     ONBOARD     ONBOARD
     They traveled to Belleville Il. to see his mother and brother.
     Then traveled to 
     Meckling South Dakota to visit their son. Then he went to
     Oceola Missouri to see 
     his daughter Yvonne and two Grandchildren Marguerite and Albert.         
     Now the war has been over a few years and his visiting was over
     it was time he made a decision. While working in Paris as an 
     artist Charles met Mr. Thomas M. Marshall Jr an American who
     was happy to meet another American who knew Paris so well and
     upon seeing Charles skills became enamored with his work.  
     Mr. Marshall left Charles an open invitation to visit if he ever
     came to Pennsylvania. In the mid 20's Charles took him up on his 
     invitation and while staying with Thomas, Charles was urged to
     stay and live on Mr. Marshall's estate in the McCandless Township. 
     Mr. Marshall offered the use of a small house on the estate. 
     Charles told Mr. Marshall he would prefer to stay in a log cabin that
     stood on the property.  Mr. Marshall accommodated his wishes after
     Charles explained that the rustic setting would inspire him in his
     craft. 
     So Charles and his wife moved into the cabin. It is located about
     20 miles North of Pittsburgh, Pa. on the southern side of North Park.
     Charle's daughter Yvonne her husband Albert and their children
     traveled to the cabin and atayed for about a year. The picture
     below was taken on that visit. Try to imagine driving that car
     from Missouri to Pennsylvania in 1925.



     Charles built a studio behind the cabin and started painting the
     countryside.
     He had fallen in love with the area when he traveled through
     there as a young artist on his way to study in France.
     He traveled through Harpers Ferry and north through Pittsburgh
     on route to New York. Now with new life and new inspiration
     Charles was walking the countryside painting his landscapes.
     The hazy air, rolling hills and rustic buildings all gave a
     beautiful perfection that held years of work for the artist now
     in his own country. Mr. Marshall being a Judge in Pittsburgh got
     the word around and soon Charles was painting portraits of many
     distinguished people ,Jurists, industrialists, social leaders, etc.
     He painted the Hon. Charles H. Kline Mayor of Pittsburgh, 
     Rev. Dr. C. E. Macartney, E. W. Smith Attorney and President of
     the Bar Association. 
     the painting was considered one of the best portraits he had done.
     It hangs in the City County Building. Charles talent was being
     recognized in this country. He also painted several notable woman
     of the time while in Pittsburgh. 
     They were sports stars, actresses and you can see them below.