Charles emigrated to Australia as a boy, with his mother and several sisters and brothers.

He taught in the Baptist Sunday School for some years.

He joined the Parliamentary staff of the Sydney Morning Herald and was special correspondent for The Herald when, in 1876, he took the Colony exhibits for display at the United States Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia.

He was Principal Reporter ( the first Chief of Hansard) for the NSW Parliament from 3 Nov 1879 to 18 Feb 1912. 171

His work led to the introduction of numerous labour saving devices into Australia. He later took exhibits to Paris and helped foster trade between Australia, Canada and U.S.A. He wrote a pamphlet "New South Wales, the Oldest and Richest of the Australian Colonies".

In 1888 he planted about 15 acres of oranges at "Woodlands" creating the first commercial orange orchard in Somersby. Its success led to further planting of citrus fruit on the Mountain and the gradual settlement of the district.