They had a family of four sons, of whom Charles W. was the second. He grew to manhood on the home farm in his native county, receiving his education in the district schools of his neighborhood. He was reared a farmer and has made that the principal avocation of his life. At the age of twenty-one years he began farming his father's farm, which he continued one year. In 1860 his father moved to Clinton County, where he resided till lie came to Carroll County.

Charles W. Babcock was married April 12, 1877, to Miss Margaret V. Smith, a native of Iowa, born in Jackson County March 31, 1853, a daughter of J.G. and Lucy Smith, who were born in the State of Kentucky, but are now residents of Iowa. They are the parents of four children: Arthur L., born August 6, 1878; Sadie M., March 1, 1880; Ernest S., October 12, 1882, and Clarence, August 25, 1885.

Mr. Babcock has been successful in his farming and stock-raising and is now making a specialty of raising short-horn cattle. He has a large and substantial residence on section 20, Warren Township, and excellent farm buildings, his residence being within a mile of Manning. He is the owner of 320 acres, 160 on sections 19, 20, 29 and 30, Warren Township, and the remainder in Audubon County, Lincoln Township. In politics he votes the Republican ticket.