He was the proprietor of The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser for 54 years and served as president of the South Australian Provincial Press Association from 1915 until his death.
Charles was born in Sydney the second son of Victor Dumas (1806 – 26 December 1882) and his wife Frances (ca.1816 – 20 February 1903); the family moved to Mount Barker in 1854.
He was educated at the private school run by his father, then spent a few years in Adelaide to qualify as a Master Printer.
He was a member of the South Australian Provincial Press Association, and elected its president in April 1915; he held that position until the time of his death.
He followed all manner of sports, and in his later years enjoyed a game of bowls; he played regularly for the Mount Barker Club, and was elected patron in 1934.