Early Life, Family and Training Charles Conner was born on February 4, 1857, in Richmond, Indiana. He grew up as the fifth child in the family of James and Sarah Conner. His early years were shaped by the practicalities of life in the Midwest, and he developed his skills through observation and practice rather than formal schooling. As a self-taught artist, he relied on his own eyes and hands to understand the world around him. Before finding his way into fine art, Charles Conner worked as an industrial painter for the Hoosier Drill Company. This was a job of precision and utility, where he…