Family:Stephen Childress and Rebecca McClusky (1)

Stephen B. Childress and Rebecca Emeline McClusky Marriage

Rebecca married Stephen B. Childress on 3 December 1845 in Marshall County, Mississippi.

Rebecca Emeline McClusky was born between November 1825 and September 1826 in Alabama.

Rebecca married Stephen B. Childress on 3 December 1845 in Marshall County, Mississippi. Stephen and Emeline have their first child, Andrew Childress, about 1846 in Mississippi. Most likely Marshall County. The young family moves to Arkansas at least four months before the 1850 census and more likely by the summer of 1849. Her place of birth being Alabama, is consistently recorded in the 1850, 1860 and 1880 US Census enumerations. Note no recorded place of birth was recorded in 1870 census.

In May 1850 their second child, Martha Caroline Childress is born in Arkansas.

On September 30, 1850 US Census of Independence Township, Phillips County, Arkansas, Stephen Childress, Emeline, Andrew and Martha C. are enumerated. Stephen is a 25 year old farmer who was born in Tennessee. His wife Emeline is a 24 year old who was born in Alabama. Their son, Andrew Childress is now a five year old born in Mississippi. Their daughter, Martha C. Childress is a four month old born in Arkansas. If this earliest recorded age of 24 for Rebecca Emeline is the most accurate and correct, she was born about 1826, making her about 19 at the time of her marriage. Her subsequent ages in 1860, 1870, and 1880US census enumerations are: 36, 35, and 51 respectively. The latter age agrees with her 1898 grave marker indication of birth in 1829. There would seem to be no reason to claim to be three years older age when only 24 at the time of the 1850 Census. It would seem that the best estimate of her birth is between November 1825 and September 1826.

On July 20, 1860 US Census Bear Creek Township, Phillips County, Arkansas, L.B. (sic S.B.) Childers, E. Childers and children Andrew, Martha, Wm., Alfred, and James Childers are enumerated. This portion of Phillips County at the time is now located in current Lee County, Arkansas. Stephen now 36 year old farmer who was born in Tennessee. Emeline has aged 12 years and is now 36 year old who was born in Alabama. Andrew is 14 years old and born in Mississippi. The remainder of the children recorded as being born in Arkansas.

The 1870 US Census enumeration of Rebecca and Tupley (sic Tapley) White family in Alexander County, Illinois, matches the 1860 Childers family above. Note that Rebecca aged 35, has not aged but still gives her place of birth as Alabama. Also this is the first use of Rebecca that this researcher has seen. Perhaps Rebecca Emeline was sensitive about being older than her new husband. The three younger Childers children of the 1860 family (Wm, Alfred, and James) are enumerated as White's and all born in ILL? The youngest child, 10 year old Eliza White, is thought to also be the child of Stephen Childress, and most likely actually born in Arkansas before the family moved to Alexander County, Illinois. Could it be that the four younger children were adopted by their new stepfather? Emeline's older daughter, Martha Caroline Childress Oller thought enough of her step father to name one of her sons, William Tapley Oller.

The five known children of Stephen and Emeline Childress are: Andrew S., Martha Caroline, William J. "Billy", Alfred D., and James F."Jim" Childress.

(1) Andrew S. Childress

Stephen and Emeline have their first child, Andrew Childress, about 1846 in Mississippi. Most likely Marshall County. The young family moves to Arkansas at least four months before the 1850 census and more likely by the summer of 1849.

On September 30, 1850 US Census of Independence Township, Phillips County, Arkansas, Stephen Childress, Emeline, Andrew and Martha C. are enumerated. Their son, Andrew Childress is now a five year old born in Mississippi. This age, if correct, would place Andrews birth before the parents marriage date.

On July 20, 1860 US Census Bear Creek Township, Phillips County, Arkansas, L.B. (sic S.B.) Childers, E. Childers and children Andrew, Martha, Wm., Alfred, and James Childers are enumerated. This portion of Phillips County is now located in current Lee County, Arkansas. Andrew is 14 years old and born in Mississippi. This recorded age would place Andrew's birth in 1846, at lease 6 months after his parents marriage.

The July 28, 1870 US Census of Santa Fe Precinct, Alexander County, Illinois records the enumeration of Rebecca and Tupley (sic Tapley) White family in Alexander County, Illinois, matches the 1860 Childers family above.

The July 13, 1870 US Census Santa Fe Precinct, Alexander County, Illinois records the enumeration of Andrew S Childers and his wife Emeline Childers. Andrew is living in same census precinct as his mother Rebecca and siblings noted above, and 9 dwellings away from recently married sister Martha Childers Oller. Andrew S. Childers is enumerated as a 23 year old laborer who was born in Arkansas. Perhaps having grown up in Arkansas and recently having moved from there, he has forgotten that he was born in Mississippi? He is recorded as having $300 in Real Estate and $150 of personal property. Andrew's wife, 20 year old Emeline Childers is recorded as being born in Illinois. Emeline is the daughter of Catherine and John Shaver.

Andrew Childers has not been found so far in the 1880, 1900 or 1910 US Census.

An Andrew S. Childers died on March 11, 1911 and is buried in Twenty Cemetery, Alexander County, Illinois just north of Olive Branch. This is thought to be the son of Stephen and Emeline Childress. This researcher photographed and transcribed the cemetery marker during a visit in October 1993. The engraving stated "died at age 26 yr 8 mo 2 days". This would place his birth date at July 9, 1884. If the transcriber or engraver transposed the age of 62, the birth date would be July 9 1848. This date would seem to be close to the other records but perhaps this is not the Andrew Childers, son of Stephen and Emeline, although he is buried in the same cemetery and next to our Andrew's sister, Martha Caroline Childers Oller. A memorial page for Andrew is shown on the Find-A-Grave website.

(2) Martha Caroline Childers

Martha Caroline Childers was born in May 1850, in Arkansas. Most likely Martha was born in Independance Township, Phillips County (now Lee Co.), Arkansas where she was enumerated as Martha C., a four month old, with her parents and older brother Andrew, in the 30 September 1850 US Census.

In later years her family name is known as Childers.

Martha Emeline Childers married James Franklin "Frank" Oller on 7 April 1867 in Scott County, Missouri.

Martha died on 4 November 1887 in Alexander County, Illinois. She is buried in Twenty Cemetery, just North of Olive Branch, Alexander County, Illinois. A memorial for her is located on the Find-A-Grave website[1].

(3) William J. Childress

William J. "Billy" or "Willie" CHILDERS was born in October 1852 in Arkansas. Most likely he was born in Phillips Co (now Lee Co.), Arkansas.

He married Maria Elinor "Mary" MILLER on February 2, 1873 in Alexander County, Illinois. Maria Elinor "Mary" MILLER was born on December 9, 1853 in Illinois.

Census on July 20, 1860 in Bear Creek Twp, Phillips County (now Lee Co), Arkansas. Census on June 30, 1880 in Sandusky Precinct, Alexander County, Illinois.

Census on June 4, 1900 in Goose Island, Alexander Co., Illinois. Occupation in Cashe, Alexander, IL operating the "County Farm".

Maria and William childers had the following children: Walter Elias, Charles E., Cora Caroline, Harry Frank, Martha Emaline "Mattie", Louella Angeline "Ella", Vida A., William S. "Bill" "Willie", Mary J., Gertrude Josephine "Gertie", and Virgie E. "Stella" CHILDERS

Billy died on October 10, 1915 in Cache, Alexander Co. Illinois. Maria Elinor "Mary" MILLER Childers died on January 17, 1926.

(4) Alfred D. Childress

Alfred D. CHILDERS was born on 22 Apr 1855 in Phillips Co (now Lee Co.) Arkansas.

Alfred is enumerated in the US Census on 20 Jul 1860 in Bear Creek Twp, Phillips Co (now Lee Co.) Arkansas.

Alfred is enumerated in the US Census on 21 Jun 1880 in Sandusky Precinct, Alexander County, Illinois. Alfred appears to have been adopted about 1892 in Alexander County Records.

He married Martha Jane HARGIS on 11 Oct 1875. Martha Jane HARGIS was born on 14 Feb 1856. Martha Jane and Alfred had one child, George Francis CHILDERS.

Martha Jane HARGIS Childers died on 9 Dec 1878.

Alfred D. CHILDERS later married Martha Susan MILLER on 1 Jan 1885 in Alexander County, Illinois. Martha Susan MILLER was born in 1866 [S38].

Martha Susan and Alfred had the following children: Sidney Franklin, Alfred E., Mary Ethel, and Garrison Sylvester "Gary" CHILDERS. They actually had two sons named Alfred E. Childers both of which died in infancy.

Alfred D. Childers died on 27 Jan 1898 in Diswood, Alexander County, Illinois. Alfred is buried in 1898 in Hargis Cemetery, Diswood, Alexander County. A memorial with photos of the grave site is shown on the Find-A-Grave website.

Martha Susan MILLER died in 1928. Buried in 1928 in Olive Branch, Alexander, Illinois at Olive Branch Cemetery.

(5) James F. "Jim" Childress

James F. "Jim" CHILDERS was born on 11 Apr 1858 in Arkansas. Most likely Jim was born in Bear Creek Twp, Phillips Co. (now Lee Co.).

Two year old, James Childress and his family, are enumerated on 20 July 1860 in the US Census of Bear Creek Twp, Phillips County, Arkansas. This township is located in what is currently Lee County.

At some point between July 1860 and December 1868, Stephen Childress dies and the family had moved up the Mississippi River to Southern Illinois. It is not known if this is before or after Stephen's death.

After James’ father, Stephen B. Childress, had died and the, his mother re-married in Alexander County, Illinois in 1868.

Eleven year old James is living with his older brothers, a step sister, his mother, and step-father, Tapley White a recorded in the July, 21 1870 US Census of Unity Precinct, Alexander County, Illinois.

Julia Denton and James Childers Marriage

He married Julia F. DENTON on February 22, 1877 in Scott County, Missouri. Scott County is just across the Mississippi River from Alexander County and seems a favorite place to be married for Illinois residents, perhaps due to some relaxed marriage requirements. Julia F. DENTON, daughter of Hannah Nelson Denton, was born on January 27, 1861 in Illinois.

Julia and James Childers had the following children: David Oscar, Mary S., Augusta, Vesta V., Ida, Stephen Milford "Steve", and Alfred E. Childers.

Census on June 21, 1880 in Sandusky Precinct, Alexander County, Illinois. Census on June 18, 1900 in Sandusky Precinct, Alexander County, Illinois.

Julia Denton Childress died on February 17, 1890 and is buried in Hargis Cemetery, Diswood, Alexander County, Illinois.

Jane and James Childers Marriage

Following the death of his first wife, James married Jane in 1891. Jane’s maiden name and parents are unknown at this time.

They had one son, David "Dave" CHILDERS, born in 1894. It is not known if Jane died or they were divorced.

Elizabeth Matlock and James Childers Marriage

Jim married Elizabeth "Liz" MATLOCK on October 23, 1898.

Jim and Liz had one daughter, Icy Lee CHILDERS, who was born on February 6, 1902 in Alexander County, Illinois. She died in infancy on July 24, 1902 and is buried in Hargis Cemetery, Diswood, Alexander County. A memorial page with a photo of her grave marker is found on the Find-A-Grave website.

James F. Childers died on July 19, 1935. It is not known where Jim is buried.