Scarface Charley, a member of the Modoc tribe, was born in 1851. It is unknown how he got the scar on his face that gave him his name. He developed a reputation as a fearless warrior and took part in the Modoc War of 1872-73 in California. He played a leading role in the Battle of Lost River and the numerous raids on white settlers in the region.

During peace negotiations on 11th April, 1873, a group of warriors killed Brigadier General Edward Canby. He refused to become involved in this incident and after the execution of Kintpuash and Boston Charley, Scarface Charley was appointed by Colonel Wheaton as chief of the remaining Modocs.

Scarface Charley took his people to Quapaw Reservation in Oklahoma. The authorities were disappointed by Scarface Charley's ability to control the behaviour of the Modocs and in 1874 he was replaced by Bogus Charley. In the 1880s Scarface Charley was converted to Christianity by a Quaker missionary.

Scarface Charley died of tuberculosis at the Quapaw Reservation on 3rd December, 1896.