Person:William Childress (9)

William J. Childress

William J. "Billy" or "Willie" Childress, son of Rebecca Emeline McClusky and Stephen B. Childress, was born in Oct 1852 in Arkansas. Most likely he was born in Phillips County, either Independence Township where the family lived in September 1850 or Bear Creek Township.

Seven year old, William 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. AEH-LD-227

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 William’ father, Stephen B. Childress, had died, his mother re-married in Alexander County, Illinois in 1868.

Eighteen year old William is living with his younger 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 AEH-LD-197 . William is enumerated as William White born in Illinois. It is not known if William’s new step-father actually adopted the children or the census data is just incorrect.

William Childers and Maria Miller Marriage

William J Childers married Maria Elinor "Mary" Miller on February 2, 1873 in Alexander County, Illinois. Mary Miller was born on December 9, 1853 in Illinois. It is not known who her parents, who were born in North Carolina, were at this time.

The late Mildred Heater Grace of Villa Ridge, Illinois told this researcher “Maria Elinor was called Aunt Mary. She was a very small woman with dark brown curly hair. She always dressed very well as if she were of noble descent. She was known as a very sweet, warm hearted and loving person. She would set for hours tatting very beautiful work. She later had palsy, or something that caused her hands to shake.“

The young family is enumerated in the US Census on June 29-30, 1880 of Sandusky Precinct, Alexander County, Illinois [AEH-LD-191]. . William is recorded as a 29 year old Farmer born in Arkansas, with parents born in Tennessee and Alabama respectively. His wife, Mary E. is 25 years old, keeping house and born in Illinois. Her parents were both born in North Carolina. The family at this time was recorded as: Walter E. age 6, Charles F. age 4, Cora E. age 3 and 4 month old Harry F. born in February 1880. All the children are said to have been born in Illinois.

The family is found next in the US Census on 4 Jun 1900 of Goose Island Precinct, Alexander County, Illinois [AEH-LD-226]. William J is now a 47 year old farmer born October 1852 in Arkansas. His parents are now recorded as being born in Tennessee and Mississippi. We know that should have been Tennessee and Alabama. Wlliam’s wife of 26 years, Mary E. is 46 years old, a mother of 11, 9 of which are now living, and born in December 1853 in Illinois. Her parents again born in North Carolina. The following seven children are living in the family at this point: Harry F. age 20, Mattie E. age 17, Ella A. age 15, Vida A. age 13, William S. age 11, Gertie J. age 6 and daughter Vergie E. Childers, born in June 1998, age 1. The two deceased children are known. Seventeen year old Charles F. Childers had died January 4, 1893 and was buried in Hargis Cemetery, Diswood, Alexander County, Illinois. A memorial for him with a photo of the grave site marker is found on the Find-A-Grave website. Nine year old Mary J. Childers had also died on October 23, 1899 and was buried by her older brother in Hargis Cemetery. A memorial for her with a photo of the grave site marker is found on the Find-A-Grave website.

1910 census

Occupation in Cashe, Alexander, IL operating the "County Farm" [History of Alexander County].

Maria and William Childers had the following eleven children: Walter Elias, Charles F., 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 County Illinois [Pat Grantham and Sheila Lyon letters].

1920 Census

Maria Elinor "Mary" Miller Childers died on January 17, 1926 [Pat Grantham letter].