23 Oct. 1845–7 Aug. 1909
Through the munificence of Miss Sue Devereux, a friend of his mother's, Busbee was enabled to spend a year and a half at The University of North Carolina as a law student. On 14 Jan. 1867 he was licensed to practice in the courts of pleas and quarter sessions. A year later he was admitted to the bar of the superior courts of law and equity. Upon the admittance of his younger brother, Fabius Haywood, to the practice of law, the two formed a partnership. Subsequently, the brothers joined Judge E. G. Reade of Raleigh in the formation of the law firm of Reade, Busbee and Busbee. In his later years, Charles Busbee became a law partner of ex-Chief Justice James E. Shepherd; at the time of his death, Busbee was in partnership with his son Perrin.
Busbee served briefly as Wake County register of deeds shortly after his return to Raleigh in 1865. He was not an ambitious politician, however, although he served a term in the state senate in 1874 and one in the state house of representatives in 1884. These tours seem to have been undertaken in response to the wishes of his friends and associates, who held Busbee in great esteem. When, during a long convalescence from a near-fatal illness, his ability to practice law actively was impaired, Busbee's friends obtained for him an appointment by President Grover Cleveland as postmaster of Raleigh. He served in this post from 21 Mar. 1894 to 21 May 1898. Busbee's influence in the political field also complemented the efforts of his brother Fabius in contributing to the successful reorganization of The University of North Carolina in 1875.
Busbee was a devoted and energetic member of the International Order of Odd Fellows. He became a member of Manteo Lodge, No. 8, in 1870 and retained membership until his death. His state-wide popularity and leadership ability were reflected in his rise in the organization's councils; he achieved the highest office in the society when he was elected grand sire of the sovereign Grand Lodge of the world for the 1890–92 term.
On 30 July 1868, Busbee married Lydia Lambe Littlejohn (b. 7 May 1846) of Oxford, daughter of James Thompson Littlejohn and Phoebe Dozier. Seven children were born of this union: James Littlejohn (b. 20 May 1869), who subsequently changed his name to Jacques; Perrin (10 Feb. 1872–9 Jan. 1935); Sara Kelleck (8 Oct. 1873–29 Jan. 1875); Louisa Taylor (24 Mar. 1876–18 June 1945); Sophia Dozier (19 July 1877–19 Apr. 1975), who adopted the name Sophie Daugé, the original French version of her grandmother's maiden name; Isabel Bronson (13 Mar. 1880–27 Aug. 1966); and Christiana (21 Apr. 1883– 24 Sept. 1949). The Busbee girls were fin de siècle belles, but despite their popularity, none of them married.
Lydia Littlejohn Busbee died 21 Apr. 1887. On 1 Jan. 1891, Busbee married Florence Elinor Cooper (12 Mar. 1869–17 Oct. 1955) of Louisville, Ky., a niece of Governor Zebulon Vance's second wife. Three children were born of this marriage: Charles Manly, Jr. (3 July 1893–19 Jan. 1970); Susannah Steele (b. 24 July 1895), who married Captain Charles M. Jones, U.S.M.C.; and Florence Cooper (b. 9 Sept. 1898), who married Major General Albert C. Stanford, U.S.A. Charles Manly, Jr., was graduated from West Point in 1915 and became a brigadier general in the army during World War II, and both daughters married career officers: Captain Jones was an Annapolis graduate and General Stanford a West Pointer. Moreover, four grandsons obtained commissions in the army, three of them graduating from West Point.
In the summer of 1891, Busbee suffered a massive stroke that paralyzed his left side and confined him to bed for many months. Although leading medical men at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore despaired of his life, Busbee eventually achieved nearly complete recovery, left with only a slight limp. His recovery was attributed to his boundless determination to live, the unremitting care of his wife, Florence, and the constant encouragement of his legion of friends. After several years of painful convalescence, Busbee was able to resume active law practice until his death eighteen years after his initial seizure.
A lifelong member of Christ Episcopal Church in Raleigh, Busbee was interred in Oakwood Cemetery there.