Charles was the son of William Middleton and Mary (nee Ward) and was born on 5 July 1849. He was baptised on 1 August 1849 at St George’s Church.
The 1851 Census shows that Charles was living with his family at 12 St George’s Terrace which I believe was somewhere near the top end of Claypit Lane at the junction with Woodhouse Lane. Charles’ father, William, was an Attorney & Solicitor, Charles was only 1 year old.
Charles’ mother, Mary, died on 15 June 1859 at Gledhow Grange and was buried in the Chapel Allerton churchyard on the 18 June. Charles’ father then remarried to Mary’s sister (his Aunt) on 17 March 1861 at New Street Chapel in Leeds.
Charles is recorded as an 11 year old scholar in the 1861 Census and he was living with his family on Gledhow Lane in Chapel Allerton, presumably at Gledhow Grange.
The 1871 Census shows Charles to be 21 years old working as an “Iron Master” and still living with his family on Gledhow Lane.
Charles married Caroline Ann Naylor on 17 September 1873 at St Peter’s Church in Leeds but she sadly died in June 1874 and was buried in the church yard in Chapel Allerton.
In 1881, according to the census, it looks like Charles was in East Dereham, Norfolk where he was recorded as living on Norwich Street. He was a 31 year old widower working as an engineer employing 19 men and 12 boys, it seems as though they were making agricultural machinery, in particular, threshing machines.
In 1885 Charles was initiated into the Masons at the Lodge of Prudence in Leeds. He remained a mason until his death.
The 1888 Kelly’s Directory of Leeds shows that Charles had returned to Leeds and was living at 124 Harrogate Road in Chapel Allerton. He was still living at 124 Harrogate Road at the time of the 1891 Census, his widowed sister, Anne Asquith, was living with him. Charles was 41 and was now working as an “Engineer’s Valuer Commissg Agent”.
By the time of the 1901 Census, Charles and his sister had moved to Stainbeck Cottage, 1 Stainbeck Road in Chapel Allerton. Charles is recorded as a “Perambulator Manufacturer”.
Charles was 61 years old at the time of the 1911 Census and was still living at Stainbeck Cottage with his sister. No occupation was recorded.
Charles died on 7 June 1916 and was recorded as living at 12 Westfield Terrace in Chapel Allerton. He was buried in the church yard in Chapel Allerton on 9 June. Probate reads:
Middleton Charles of 12 Westfield-terrace Chapel Allerton Leeds died 7 June 1916 Administration Wakefield 24 July to Anne Asquith widow. Effects £218 14s. 2d.