Charles N. Post, assistant attorney general of California, has won distinction at a bar numbering many leading and eminent lawyers. In no calling does advancement depend more largely upon individual merit. The basis of all success at the bar is strong mentality, continuous, coherent thought, careful preparation of cases and correct application of legal principles to the facts in litigation. All these have entered into the career of Charles N. Post, whose connection with the office of attorney general dates from January, 1895, and will continue until 1907.

Mr. Post was born in Eldorado county, California, in March, 1853, a son of Albert V. V. and Cornelia M. (Almy) Post. The father, a native of New Jersey, belonged to an old Holland Dutch family that was established on Staten island in the early part of the seventeenth century. The mother was a native of the Empire state and a daughter of George Washington Almy, whose father came with LaFayette from France to aid the American colonists in the struggle for independence, and after the war decided to make his home in the new republic. George W. Almy married a Miss Kettle, also a representative of an old American family. Albert V. V. Post was a machinist and brass founder by trade, and served his apprenticeship with Peter Donohue, founder of the great Union Iron Works in San Francisco. He came to California in 1849, when hundreds of others were making their way from the east to the gold fields of the Pacific coast, hoping to quickly realize fortunes in this section of the country. He followed store-keeping and mining for a few years, but not meeting with the success he had anticipated he conducted the Rolling Hills Hotel in Eldorado county for several years, and it was during that time that his son Charles was born. Soon after the Central Pacific Railroad was started he entered its employ as a machinist, and when he severed his connection with the road he was superintendent of the Sacramento round-house. Later, in company with E. F. perkins, who had also been in the employ of the railroad company, he went east, where he continued in railroad service p to the time of his death, which occurred in 1884. In Costegin, of Oakland, California, and Charles N. are the only ones now living.

At the usual age Charles N. Post became a pupil in the public schools of Sacramento and continued his studies until sixteen years of age, after which he served for four years in the Southern Pacific Railroad shops as a machinist. He then entered the employ of Adams-McNeal & Company, wholesale grocers, with whom he continued for two years, and his leisure hours during that period were devoted to the study of law. From 1876 until 1878 he served a deputy recorder of Yolo county, and then returning to Sacramento went into the law office of Creed Haymond, as a student, being admitted to practice before the supreme court in November, 1879.

His professional career began in January, 1880, when he was appointed deputy clerk of the supreme court, and when he had filled that position for three years he formed a partnership with Henry Edgerton, of Sacramento, with whom he continued until elected city justice of the peace, filling the office from 1885 until 1888, inclusive. He then resumed the private practice of law, in which he continued until January, 1895, and that he had won for himself the favorable regard of the public and the profession is indicated by the fact that at that date he was appointed first deputy attorney general under Attorney General W. F. Fitzgerald. In 1899 he was appointed assistant attorney general and served for four years under Attorney General Tiery L. Ford, and in January, 1903, was reappointed by the present attorney general, U. S. Webb.

In 1880 Mr. Post was married to Miss Nellie M. Outten, a native of Sacramento county and a daughter of John Outten, who was born in Delaware and belonged to an old American family that was founded in America many generations ago. He became one of the pioneer mining men of Sacramento county. His wife, Lucy Cantlin, who was born in Philadelphia, also came of an ancestry of long and close connection with American interests. Both Mr. and Mrs. Post have spent their entire lives in California and he holds membership with the Native Sons of the Golden West, being a past president of Sacramento Parlor No. 3. He is also a past exalted ruler of Sacramento Lodge No. 328, B. P. O. E., and is deeply interested in athletics, especially field sports. In 1883 he organized the Pacific Coast Field Trial Club, which is the second oldest of the kind in the United States. In politics he is a Republican and has for many years been closely identified with his party. He is a typical western man, possessing the ambition and spirit of progress which have been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country. His business career, characterized by successive advance stages, has led him from humble service to a position of importance in connection with the judicial department of the state government, and his excellent qualifications have found recognition in a third appointment to office. Among his friends he is highly esteemed for his social nature, his genial disposition, and he has ratified strong friendships by his deference for the opinions of others and his kindly consideration.

Source: History of the New California Its Resources and People, Volume I

The Lewis Publishing Company - 1905
Edited by Leigh H. Irvine