Charles L. Stilson was born August 10, 1844 in Goshen, Indiana. At the age of three his parent died and was taken along with his two brothers to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to live with relatives. He came to Butte County in 1863 working in Oroville retail. George Wood recruited him to work in Chico as a clerk for John Bidwell’s downtown Chico store. From there he went to clerk for George Wood and A. H. Chapman’s general merchandise company. In 1868, he established his own store with Charles L. Pond on Main Street. In 1886, he was appointed Butte County Clerk and elected to the office for four successive terms. While in office he studied law and in 1894 admitted to practice law in California establishing his legal practiced upon leaving public office. He was a founder of the Chico Gas and Water Company, trustee of local schools and helped secure the State Normal School in Chico. He was a mason in Chico Lodge no. 111. He was also a rancher owning two hundred acres in Stilson canyon which contained orchards and fields devoted to live stock. Married to Emma Dolliver they had two children Eleanor F. and Lois W, both of whom attended Chico State Normal School.