Charles E. Mead was born around 1836 in Vermont to William and Amanda Mead. His father was a farmer who owned $1,000 of personal property by 1860. He grew up and attended school in Hinesburgh, Vermont. He enlisted in the Union army on September 8, 1862, and he mustered in as a corporal in Company G of the 14th Vermont Infantry on October 21. He died in the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863.