Cemetery Records:
C. C. Hemming
Buried: 08/15/1910 (prob error)
Section 69, Plot 61(SE)

Son of John Charles Heming (1815-1886) and Maria Olivia Dupont (1824-?). Commissioned the monument to Fallen Confederate soldiers in Hemming Park in Jacksonville, FL in 1899.

Publications:
Obituary~ 6/2/1916, El Paso County Democrat, 1-6
Obituary~ 6/16/1916, El Paso County Democrat, 1-3

El Paso County Democrat shows death: 5/27/1916
Probable burial: between 5/27/1916-5/30/1916

A BIG "Thank You!" to contributor David Hope for additional information on this memorial.

And a big "Thank You!" to contributor Andrena's Daughter for her many photographs in Colorado Springs area cemeteries and graveyards.

Civil War Veteran, Confederate Spy, Businessman, Banker, Philanthropist

Charles Cornelius Hemming was born in Jacksonville, Florida, the son of Englishman John Charles Heming and Maria Olivia Dupont.

The day after Florida seceded from the Union on January 10, 1861, seventeen year-old Charles joined the Jacksonville Light Infantry as a private. After fighting in many land battles, Hemming was captured by Union forces at the Battle of Missionary Ridge and sent to an Illinois prison in December 1863. He escaped the prison and fled to Canada and became a Confederate spy. Wearing Federal clothing he visited several northern fortifications throughout the Midwest, during which time he was captured on three different occasions, but escaped each time.

As a secret Confederate emissary, Hemming again made his way to Canada, and then to the West Indies, Florida, and Virginia, before rejoining his regiment in North Carolina, where he was promoted for meritorious service.

In 1866 Charles moved to Texas where he met and married Lucy Key, December 2, 1868, and together they at least 8 children. Eventually became cashier for a Texas bank in 1870, and by 1896 he was President of the Gainesville National Bank and also President of the Texas State Bankers Association. Later he became cashier of the Giddings Bank for several years, eventually moving to Colorado Springs. There he became president of the El Paso National Bank.

In February 1896, at the state reunion of United Confederate Veterans in Ocala, Charles announced his plan to erect a memorial in honor of Florida's Confederate soldiers in St. James Park in Jacksonville, Florida. It cost approximately $20,000, and was a joint gift from Charles and his wife to the state of Florida. To honor Charles for his donation, the Jacksonville City Council changed the name of St. James Park to Hemming Park on October 26, 1899.

Charles dies in Colorado Springs on May 27, 1916. He was 71 years old.

Information provided by FAG volunteer Ron West
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Suggested edit: The obituary of Charles C. Hemming in the Colorado Springs Gazette newspaper of 28 May 1916 stated:
CHARLES C. HEMMING DIES IN CALIFORNIA
Prominent Springs Banker Passes Away After Illness of Only Few Weeks
Charles C. Hemming, president of the El Paso National Bank, died early yesterday morning at Arrow Head Hot Springs, Arrow Head, Cal. (now part of San Bernardino, California) following a brief illness. Word of the death was received here yesterday by members of the family, but no details were given. Mr. Hemming had been suffering from diabetes and his children believe this must have been the cause. Mrs. Hemming and a daughter, Mrs. Frederick A. Healy of San Francisco, were at his side. Mr. Hemming was 71 years old. Besides his wife and Mrs. Healy, Mr. Hemming is survived by two sons, Wilmer D. and Olyn D., both of Colorado Springs, and three daughters, Mrs. Donald Miller of New York, Mrs. Thomas Miller of Chicago and Mrs. Robert S. Browning of this city. The body will be brought here, but no funeral arrangement have been made as yet. Mr. Hemming was born in St. Augustine, Fla. When he was 16 years old he ran away from school to enter the Confederate army and served throughout the war. During the Battle of Lookout Mountain he was captured and sent to prison at Rock Island, Ill. He managed to secure a complete uniform of the federal army and made his escape going to Canada where he served as a Confederate spy. Later he made his was to Havana and rejoined his command. During the war only 17 out of a total of 8000 prisoners confined to Rock Island prison made their escape. Four of these were close friends of Mr. Hemming. A short time ago all learned that each of the others was alive and a reunion was held in Nashville, Tenn. Following the war Mr. Hemming went to Brenham, Tex., and entered business in 1868. He removed to Gainesville, Tex. In 1881 and in 1900 came to Colorado Springs. He succeeded W.S. Jackson as president of the El Paso National Bank several years ago. Mr. Hemming was prominent in banking and financial circles thruout the west and south. He had served as president of the Texas Bankers association and later of the Colorado Bankers association. Several months ago Mr. Hemming’s health began to fail, but when he went to California three weeks ago his condition was not considered serious. It was not until Friday, in fact, that the members of the family were notified that he was critically ill. The word of his death came soon after.

Contributor: J Richards (49481774)