Charles Edgar Newton
Eighth Minister of
The First Presbyterian Church of
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
August 25, 1931 — January 25, 1947

Charles Edgar Newton was born October 6, 1886 in Cameron, Texas, the son of Rev. James Knox Polk and Eliza Jane Sisk Newton.
Charles Edgar "Peg" Newton spent his childhood in Cameron and Mayfield, Texas, where he received his elementary education. He began his college studies at San Marcus State Normal in San Marcus, Texas. After a career in the business world for seven years Charles E. Newton entered the University of Texas, Austin, Texas, from 1916 until 1918 when his college education was interrupted by World War I and he served as a Y.M.C.A. secretary during the War. He returned to the University of Texas in 1922 and graduated in 1924 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Simultaneously he attended Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary where he received his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1924. Charles Edgar Newton was ordained by the Brazos Presbytery in 1924. Rev. Newton served the Presbyterian Church in Lufkin, Texas, during his college years. He then did special work at White's Biblical Seminary at New York City. Newton served as Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Clifton, Texas from 1920 to 1922. He served as stated supply of the Presbyterian Church , Bartlett, Texas, from 1922 to 1924; Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Lufkin, Texas, from 1924 to 1925; and as Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Helena, Arkansas from 1926 to 1931.
Charles Edgar Newton married Betty Rhodes of Bremond, Texas on April 28, 1909. There were no children born to the marriage.
Arkansas College (now Lyon College) of Batesville, Arkansas, conferred upon Charles Edgar Newton the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1931. Dr. Newton left Helena, Arkansas and came to Pine Bluff in August of 1931, as Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Pine Bluff.
Dr. C. E. Newton served as Moderator of the Synod and Chairman of Home Missions of the Pine Bluff Presbytery and Chairman of the Commission of the Minister and His Work, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and was president of the Pine Bluff Ministerial Alliance.
During the years of his pastorate in Pine Bluff, he was a member of the Pine Bluff Rotary Club; the Quapaw Lodge No. 730; the Lafayette Chapter No. 7 of the Knights Templar Damascus Commandery No. 8 and the Sahara Shrine Temple. He was Chaplain of the Quapaw Lodge.
Charles Edgar "Peg" Newton ministered to the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Pine Bluff during the Great Depression and through the trying years of World War II, with kindness and understanding.
Suddenly on Saturday , January 25, 1947 shortly before 10 o'clock, Charles Edgar "Peg" Newton died of a heart attack at his home (the Church Manse) at 1310 Olive. Funeral services were held at 4:00 pm on Monday January 27, 1947 at the First Presbyterian Church. There were no Sunday School or Worship Services held at the Church on Sunday January 26, 1947.
Dr. and Mrs. C. E. Newton are buried in Graceland Cemetery in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.