Person:James Childress (8)

James F. "Jim" CHILDERS

James F. "Jim" CHILDERS was born on April 11, 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 July 20, 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, his mother re-married in Alexander County, Illinois in 1868.

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

James Childers and Julia Denton 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 27 Jan 1861 in Illinois.

The young family is enumerated in the US Census on June 21, 1880 of Sandusky Precinct, Alexander County, Illinois. James is recorded as a 21 year old Farmer born in Arkansas. His wife, Julia Ann is 19 years old, keeping house and born in Illinois. Her parents were born in Tennessee. They have children, two year old son, George Oscar and 6 month old daughter Mary S. and a 12 year old orphan, Sarah E. Turpin living with them.

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

Julia Denton Childress died on February 17, 1890. Julia died 14 days after the birth of her last child, Alfred E. Childers. Alfred died as a five month old infant and both are buried in Hargis Cemetery, Diswood, Alexander Co., Illinois. A memorial page with a photo of their grave stone is shown on the Find-A-Grave website.

James Childers and Jane ______ Marriage

Following the death of his wife, Julia, Jim was left with a large family of seven children including the new born. The oldest child, George Oscar was only 12 year old. It is understandable that the farmer had to find a wife quickly and Jim married Jane in 1891. Jane’s maiden name and parents are unknown at this time. It is not known if Jane died or they were divorced.

James and Jane had one child, David "Dave" CHILDERS about 1894. Perhaps Jane had also died in childbirth. However, judging from the third marriage date of 1898, and the size of his growing family, it seems more likely that Jane’s death or divorce would be about 1897.

James Childers and Elizabeth Matlock Marriage

In a third marriage, Jim married Elizabeth "Liz" Matlock on October, 23, 1898. Liz had previously married Hubert Hubbard and had one child, Claude E. Hubbard, from her first marriage.

The growing family is enumerated in US Census on June 18, 1900 of Sandusky Precinct, Alexander County, Illinois. James F. Childers is now recorded as now 42 years old farmer with 37 years experience in farming, born in April 1858 in Arkansas and parents born in Tennessee and Alabama respectively. James F. is said to be unable to read or write. All this seems to concur with prior information. James must have progressed in his literacy as we see him as a grocery store merchant in 1910 and eventually running his own grocery store in Tamms, Illinois.

In the 1900 census, the third wife, Liz(?) E, Childers is a 24 year old with her 4 year old son, Claude E. Hubbard, from her first marriage to Hubert Hubbard. Also enumerated are the youngest living son of James and Julia, 12 year old Stephen M. Childers born October 1887 and the son of from the second marriage, 7 year old William D. Childers born August 1893. William D is known by researchers as David "Dave" so the full name must be William David CHILDERS. Step-son, Claude Eugene Hubbard later marries this researcher’s aunt, Allie Almanzia Denfip in 1917.

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.

On May 6, 1910 the US Census of Olive Branch, Alexander County, [AEH-LD-185] Illinois was enumerated by Garrison S. Childers, son of Alfred D Childers. James F Childers was recorded as a 52 year old, merchant of a grocery store, born in Arkansas and in his third marriage of 11 years. His wife Lizzie E. is recorded as a 35 year old in her second marriage of 11 years with one child and one child living. As we have noted she had given birth to two children but only one child was still living, Claude E. Hubbard, age 19 and living with the family. Next door in this census are this researcher’s maternal grandparents, Emma and Smith Henderson Denfip with their two oldest daughters, Allie A, Denfip, who would later become the wife of Claude E. Hubbard, and Lizzie M. Denfip.

One of Liz Matlock Childers grandsons recalled that his grandmother had quite a reputation as a forceful, mean woman. He recalls being at their house as a child helping with chores and going to many Pentecostal Revivals with her. At one in particular, he recalls a fellow worshipper having the "jumping-up-and-down spirit" landing on Grandma Childers' sore corn on her foot. Grandma, right down front and in a loud voice, shoved the woman, yelling out "get off my foot ya old b____!"

1920 US Census

1930 US Census

It is thought that Jim Childers operated a grocery store in Tamms, Illinois during the depression era. This researcher’s mother spoke several times about his kindness in helping her family to survive during the many rough times.

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

It is not know when Liz Matlock Hubbard Childers died or where she is buried.