Charles E. Wilde played a major role in bringing telephone service to Grand Rapids, Mich., West Michigan, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He was born in Battle Creek, Mich. on Christmas Day, 1869. He became a telephone operator at the age of 15 in Petoskey, Mich in 1884. Within two years he was promoted to manager. He stayed in Petoskey for five years before moving on to manage the Battle Creek, Alpena, Muskegon, Kalamazoo, and Marquette offices. In 1899 he was appointed district superintendent for the southern district of Michigan and was later transferred to the superintendency of the Upper Peninsula.

After moving to Grand Rapids, Mich. in 1904 he would advance further to district commercial manager of the western part of the state. Charles E. Wilde would spend his entire career, fifty years, at the Michigan Bell Telephone Company. Charles E. Bell also belonged to the Free Masons, the Rotary Club, and was a member of the Grand Rapids, Mich. Peninsular Club. In his free time, he enjoyed hiking and spending time in nature. It was said that, "No one enjoys nature more than he does." In 1890, Charles married Emily A. Peet of Iowa, they had three daughters.

He died Saturday, Februrary 4th, 1950.