University of Virginia Library

CHARLES DICE DENIT

The gentleman whose name captions this article
has been prominently identified with the affairs of
Salem and Roanoke County for many years, and is
now serving efficiently
in the capacity of County
Clerk and Clerk of the
Circuit Court of Roanoke
County. He was
born near Salem, June
24th, 1862, and is a son
of John and Nancy (Parrish)
Denit.

Paternally, Mr Denit
is of Scotch ancestry.
His father came to Salem
from Shenandoah
County, Virginia, in
1844, where he engaged
in the manufacture of
furniture, in which line
of business he continued
until 1870.

Charles Dice Denit
was reared in Salem and was educated in the public
schools and Roanoke College. At the age of sixteen
he entered the printing business, serving an apprenticeship
for three years and was later employed as
journeyman and foreman on the papers of Salem. In
1883 he became the editor of the Salem Times-Register,
in the ownership of which he was associated with
Professor J. T. Crabtree and F. G. Webber. He was
continuously editor of the Salem Times-Register and
Sentinel from 1882 to 1908, when he resigned. From
1893 to 1897 he was Postmaster of Salem, having
received the appointment without opposition from any
source. From 1897 to 1899 he was a member of the
Salem Council, when he resigned to assume the duties
of Clerk of the County and Circuit Courts, to which
office he had been elected in May, 1899. Mr. Denit
has filled the position to the entire satisfaction of his
constituents and was reölected in 1905 and again in
1911.

On October 8th, 1889, Mr. Denit married Bettie A.
Brown, daughter of Alfred N. and Mary (Laughlin)
Brown, of Salem. They have six children, namely:
Charles E., Guy B., Elsie B., Leo A., Louise, and
Frank Everette. Leo Denit, their third son, has been
a page in the Virginia House of Delegates for three
terms.

Fraternally Mr. Denit is a Mason, Odd Fellow,
Pythian, and an Elk.

Mr. Denit is a popular and genial gentleman and
enjoys the respect of all who know him.

Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and politically, a Democrat.