Born: Sullivan, Ashland County, Ohio, December 7, 1856.
Died: Detroit, Michigan, April 4, 1928.

Charles Jehiel Tannar was born on a farm in Sullivan, Ashland county, Ohio, December 7, 1856. His father died in the prime of life when Charles was eighteen months old. The widowed mother, left with only a few dollars in money, fought out a hard battle to support herself and only child. This mother is still alive at the good old age of eighty-six. The boy grew up in the village of Sullivan, went to school in the winter and worked for farmers in the summer. He entered Bethany College in 1876 and graduated in the class of 1881 receiving the first honors in the ministerial course.

His first church was in the country and located midway between Akron and Medina, Ohio, about fifty miles south of Cleveland. This is known as the Granger church. He preached here six years and was called to Mt. Healthy, Ohio. This is the church so long served by A. McLean, who was still a member of this congregation at the time of this pastorate. From Mt. Healthy Mr. Tannar was called to the Walnut Hills church, of Cincinnati, and succeeded S. M. Jefferson. After four years in the Walnut Hills church he served the High St. church, of Akron, Ohio, for seven years, the Portland Avenue church, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, between three and four years, and pastor of the Central Christian church, of Detroit, Michigan, for nearly fifteen years.

He has recently resigned his pastorate at Detroit, and one thing is certain, viz., wherever he may locate, or whatever he may do, he can be trusted to meet his responsibilities with courage, ability and faithfulness.

In Mr. Tannar we have a quiet, unobtrusive, scholarly preacher. He makes little noise, but his pathway is paved with success. He is a better pastor than an evangelist, though he has done some good work in the evangelistic field. His power is educational and personal rather than an appeal to the emotional nature, though he is not lacking in fine feeling in the matter and delivery of his sermons.

In the committee room of the Disciples, especially as regards missionary work, he has been an efficient force, and in executive management in every field where he has been tried, he has shown superior gifts. He has none of those drawing qualities which distinguish some men, and which are so highly appreciated in these days of physical prowess, and progress, nevertheless in a somewhat suppressed animation, through culture and clear vision, he finds the land of brightness, and in it he works busily to scatter sunshine all along the pathway of souls seeking the high lands of God.