Charles P. Filson

CHARLES P. FILSON _________________ CHARLES P. FILSON, only son of Davison Filson, was born August 9, 1860. He received his education in the city schools, and while quite a small boy developed an artistic temperament beyond his years, sketching from nature with ease and accuracy, and giving evidence that he would be able to take up his father's work and carry it to greater perfection, which indications were more than realized. In 1883 he became associated with his father as partner, having previously done considerable work in his profession. The taste and skill of these two soon extended the reputation of the studio far beyond the city limits, a reputation which it has ever since maintained. But the young man did not confine his work to the camera. He took up drawing and painting, and his cartoons of local and public men soon were a feature in the city decorations on notable occasions, especially at the great Centennial celebration in 1897. His water color sketches were beautiful representations of both animated and still life. Taking crayon portraits by the way from these he passed to work in oil where the results were so satisfactory that when it was desired to place a portrait of Hon. E.M. Stanton in the College Halls at Gambier, Mr. Filson received the commission. Without going into details we may mention a few of his works which include portraits of James Ross and Governor St. Clair in Marietta College, the same in the public library at Chillicothe, a bas relief of Governor Tiffin in the old State House at Chillicothe, Col. George W. McCook and Judge J.C. Wright in the Stuebenville Court House, and Beazaleel Wells and James Ross in the Carnegie Library. Mr. Filson stands in the front rank of Ohio artists and adds one more to to the list which has made Steubenville, if not a second Barbizon, at least the home of a company that has achieved a national reputation. Mr. Filson was married on March 31, 1883, to Miss Mary Estella Priest, and resides on upper Market Street. Return to Family Tales Return to Home Page