Charles Liner was born about 1831, the second (known) child of Timothy and Elizabeth Liner. Timothy was a brick maker, his business apparently growing until he described himself as a "brick and tile manufacturer". In his youth Charles worked with his father as a brick burner, later turning to farming. From at least 1890 he appears as both a farmer and a brick and tile manufacturer.

Charles' wife Ann Slow was born in Northampton to John and Elizabeth Slow. By 1841 the Slow family had moved to Rothwell where John was a publican. He later combined this first with farming and then with working for the Inland Revenue. Ann worked with her father as a barmaid before marrying Charles.

Charles and Ann had seven known children, including John Timothy whose death appears on their memorial.