Charles W. Allfrey

    Charles W. Allfrey, school teacher, was born in Switzerland County, Indiana, and was raised on a farm. He is the son of Joseph Allfrey and Elizabeth Gray.

    His father was a native of Nicholas County, Kentucky, born in 1798, of Virginia people. His grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812.

    Mr. Allfrey's mother was the daughter of James Gray, and was born in Virginia; she came to Indiana with her father in 1800, and settled in what is now Switzerland County. They were the earliest settlers of that county. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812.

    Mr. Allfrey was educated in the common schools of his county, and then took a course at the Woodward School, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. He commenced teaching in 1853, and followed it until 1869; then for two years he flat-boated. In 1871 he was appointed School Examiner, and served at that for two years; then he went at the traffic of goods on the river. While from home on this business he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for Recorder of Jefferson County. He was elected to that office and served for four years; after which he resumed his profession as teacher, which he still follows.

    When a boy he was engaged as cook on a flat-boat, and in that capacity made quite a number of trips to New Orleans. He has made several trips through portions of the Southern country since he arrived at manhood. Mr. Allfrey is considered one of the best teachers of the county, and is well liked by scholars, parents and the school officers.

Source: Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington, Indiana. By John M. Gresham & Co., 1889.