Charles C. Dawson was born in Dyer County, in 1849, and is the son of Col. W. A. and Amanda C. (Clark) Dawson. The father was of Irish descent, a native of North Carolina, born in 1822, and was a boatman and a farmer by occupation. In youth he came to Dyer County, and lived there at the time of his marriage. He then located in Dyersburg, whence he boated on the Forked Deer and Mississippi Rivers. He afterward bought 200 acres near town, and engaged in farming. He was a prominent citizen, and was sheriff of the county six years. When the war broke out, he organized a company in the Twenty-second Tennessee Confederate Regiment, and was elected captain. He fought at Belmont, and at Shiloh was wounded three times - had his little finger shot off, and was shot in both the shoulder and the head. After the reorganization of the army, he came home and raised a company for the Fourteenth Regiment of Cavalry, and was elected colonel of the regiment. He was a dauntless soldier, fought in many hot skirmishes, and finally, in a skirmish near Columbia, Tenn., he was shot dead. His wife was a native of Dyer County; was born in 1831, and died in 1883. Of their eight children seven are living: Henison, Charles C., William, Bettie, Lena, F. F. and Tommie. Charles C. was reared and educated in Dyer County, and remained with his mother until his majority. He is a prosperous farmer, and in 1882 was given 350 acres by his grandfather, Henderson Clark, upon which he now resides. He now has a beautiful place. December 25, 1883, he married Miss Lenora Norton, daughter of John Norton. She was born January 22, 1863, and has borne her husband one child - Dixie. He is a Democrat, and a Methodist in belief. His wife believes the faith of the Cumberland Presbyterians. His mother was the daughter of Henderson and Elizabeth Clark, who were born in 1799 and 1800 respectively.