Knisley Bingleman was born in 1903, the last of a family of seven. He settled into the groove as a part-time carpenter-farmer, gaining his knowledge in building from working with the late Charlie Duncan who was a master builder and craftsmen, and whose guide to quality control was "Good enough isn't good enough".

He married Audrey Osborn, and they have one daughter, Frances Winter, and one son, Jack. Mr. Bingleman remained on the family farm, and eventually went to work for the Ontario Department of Game and Fisheries at the Normandale fish hatchery, where he was promoted to First Assistant of Assistant Manager. He stayed there almost 10 years before being laid off. Again he returned to his carpenter tools, the tobacco fields and orchards.

In 1949, he became Clerk, Treasurer, Tax Collector and Welfare Officer of the Township of Charlotteville. There had previously been a Clerk, and a Treasurer and a Tax Collector, three separate positions. "When I became clerk, I made a point of never seeing any of the councillors over township business except at the office," he said. "I think that today too many council meetings are conducted over the telephone or over the back fence."

Charlotteville Township and Knisley Bingleman 'grew up' together and the co-operation of both meant progress, efficiency and success for this important sprawling municipality.

During his tenure in office, Charlotteville was honoured by having two Wardens, Max Stickney and John Hodges. Knisley also served under at least seven reeves.

The first premises he occupied was a room rented from the late Mrs. Hazel Hood and the council meetings were held in the Walsh Town Hall. Then in 1952 the Municipal Building was erected, (now occupied by Walt Cronk Insurance).

Knisley put forward a proposal to gradually build a surplus to reduce Township borrowing and thus reduce interest costs. Later, when approval had been given to the concept, Mr. Bingleman was credited with 'foresight'. At the time of his retirement, the township was in the best financial shape it had ever been in, with almost $200,000 in reserve.

Mr. Bingleman resigned from the position in 1973, to enjoy a well-deserved and well-earned retirement. It was said of him, that "he kept the scale of justice with equal poise, thus keeping equanimity for all, as far as was humanly possible, and he won the respect and confidence of the entire populace."

The following is a quote from his nomination as a community leader:
"A man of explicit integrity and unquestioned ability",
Knisley Bingleman always did what he felt to be best in his duties. He was the president of the Lamport Club for a few years at its beginning. He once gave me a piece of advice which I never forgot. "If you can say something nice - go ahead. If it is negative or you are angry - write it down, put it in an envelope and seal it, and put it away for two days. Then open it. If you still feel the same - go ahead and mail it, but chances are you will have cooled down and things will look a little different."