An Ebay purchase from a Kooskia, Idaho seller. The photo was taken at the Smith & Price studio, which operated in Traverse City between 1900 and 1925.

On the back in pencil is "Charles Wirt Dexter father of Dorothy Dexter."

Charles Wirt Dexter.
 

I searched his full name on the basic Ancestry search function. He immediately came up.

Charles Wirt Dexter was born on 24 August 1876 in Green Lake Township, Grand Traverse County, the son of William Melhinch Dexter and Lilliam M. Kenney. On 16 June 1880, Charles lived with his parents, brother Robert, and aunt Jennie Kenney in Blair Township, Grand Traverse County.[1]

On 19 June 1900, Charles lived at 131 State Street in Traverse City, Grand Traverse County. He worked as a day laborer.[2]

Charles was married on 1 September 1903 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan to Vera A. Wise.[3]

In April 1910, Charles was living with his parents and siblings Myrtle E., Herbert H., George K., Ivan W., and niece Dorothy J. Dexter in Ireland, Benzie County, Michigan. Charles was working as a farm laborer on his father’s farm.[4]

Charles was married second on 20 August 1914 in Honor, Benzie County to Ethel A. Armstrong.

On 12 September 1918, Charles registered for the draft while he and wife Ethel Mary Dexter lived in Benzonia. He was a store clerk for Ernest B. Judson. He was short, stout, blue eyes, and light brown hair although slightly bald.[5]

On 2 January 1920, Charles W. and Ethel M. Dexter and their children Robert E. and Wilma J. lived on Mulgrew Avenue in Benzonia. They rented their home. He was a garage mechanic.[6]

On 4 April 1930, Chas W. and Ethel M. Dexter and their children Robert E., Wilma J., Helen E., and Mary E. lived in Benzonia. They owned their home, valued at $2,000, and had a radio. He was a garage machinist.[7]

On 9 April 1940, Charles and Ethel and their daughter Roberta lived in Benzonia. Charles was a mechanic at an auto garage and Roberta was a clerk at the Probate Court.[8]

On 27 April 1942, Charles registered for the draft while living in Benzonia, Benzie County. He was 5 ft 2 inches tall, weighed 145 pounds, had blue eyes, was bald, and had a light complexion.[9]

Charles died on 15 September 1946 from myocarditis and arterio-sclerosis in Benzonia, Benzie County, Michigan. At the time of his death he was an automobile mechanic.[10]

Charles was buried in Benzonia Township Cemetery in Benzonia.[11]

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[1] William Dexter household, 1880 US census, Grand Traverse County, Michigan, population schedule, Blair Township, ED 84, SD 2, page 12D, dwelling 100.

[2] Charles W. Dexter household, 1900 US census, Grand Traverse County, Michigan, population schedule, Traverse Ward 01, ED 39, SD 11, sheet 17B, dwelling 348.

[3] Dexter-Wise entry, Michigan, U.S., Marriage Records, 1867-1952, Ancestry.com.

[4] William Dexter household, 1910 US census, Benzie County, Michigan, population schedule, Ireland, ED 8, SD 9, sheet 5B, dwelling 99.

[5] Charles Wirt Dexter Registration Card, U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Ancestry.com.

[6] Charles W. Dexter household, 1920 US census, Benzie County, Michigan, population schedule, Benzonia, ED 2, SD 9, sheet 2A, dwelling 8.

[7] Chas W. Dexter household, 1930 US census, Benzie County, Michigan, population schedule, Benzonia, ED 3, SD 4, sheet 3A, dwelling 55.

[8] Charles Dexter household, 1940 US census, Benzie County, Michigan, population schedule, Benzonia, ED 10-3, SD 9, sheet 2B, dwelling 38.

[9] Charles Wirt Dexter Registration Card, U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, Ancestry.com.

[10] Charles Wirt Dexter Certificate of Death, Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1867-1952, Ancestry.com.

[11] Charles Wirt Dexter Memorial 36870629, Findagrave.com.