Charles S. Vanderlip, son of Jay and Martha French Vanderlip, was born March 31, 1853, in East Dorset, Vermont. When he was between two and three years old his parents moved to Wisconsin where he grew to manhood in Manitowoc County. Charles and Sarah Flansburgh were united in marriage on May, 31, 1874. They had one daughter born in Wisconsin, Ida M., December 24, 1874. Charles, with his young family, came to Kansas with his parents, brothers, sisters, and grandfather in 1878 and settled in Ash Rock Township. Another daughter, Nellie, Pearl, was born March 30, 1880.

Charles, his brother Hiram, and their father built sod houses and homesteaded near each other, their homes being one-quarter mile from the same four corners. All three lived on their homesteads until the time of their deaths. A younger brother, Norman J., lived on his brother's farm after the death of their father.

Charles' first wife, Sarah, died February 9, 1882, and she was the first person buried in the new Ash Rock Cemetery. On December 10, 1882, Charles married Calista Rogers, daughter of George W. and Mahalah Hammond Rogers, born October 8, 1861. Calista came to Kansas in 1870 with her parents and family traveling in two covered wagons drawn by ox teams. In 1871 her parents homesteaded in Washington County, and they came to southwest Smith County in 1875. They settled in Ash Rock Township in 1878

Charles and Calista operated their farm, raising grain and livestock, and they were active in the community. They were both members of the Ash Rock Congregational Church and worked with the Sunday School. Charles served on the school board, township board, and served for a time as the Rooks County Clerk.Charles and Calista reared their children during the pioneer days of Kansas and lived to see the modern conveniences replace those of early settlers