Family:James Childress and Julia Denton (1)

James F. "Jim" CHILDERS

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 F. Denton

Julia F. Denton was born January 27, 1861 in Illinois.

Nine year old Julia Denton is enumerated next door to her future husband, in the July, 21 1870 US Census of Unity Precinct, Alexander County, Illinois. Julia Denton is living with Elizabeth and George Miller and two younger Miller children, Martha and Sidney. Researchers Mildred and Lloyd Oller, in a letter dated February 10, 1972, stated that Julia Denton was the daughter of Hanna Nelson Denton from her first marriage prior to marrying George Miller. They also stated that step-father, George, was the son of Anna Cauble and Milford Green Miller. Lending credence to this is that Julia later names a son after her step grandfather, Milford. Julia's mother must therefor have been Hanna Elizabeth Nelson Denton Miller.

James Childers and Julia Denton Marriage

He married Julia F. DENTON on 22 February 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.

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 born in Tennessee. They have 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. Next door one one side is one year old newphew, George Childers living with his grandparents, Caroline and D.D.C. Hargis. Next door on the other side is James' mother Emeline White, brother, Alfred Childers, and step sister Elzetta White.

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 18 Jun 1900 in Sandusky Precinct, Alexander Co., IL [S41].

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.