Family Histories of Coleman County, Texas

Henry Lafayette Childs Family
by Geri Class Childs

From A History of Coleman County and Its People, 1985 
edited by Judia and Ralph Terry, and Vena Bob Gates - used by permission
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      Henry Lafayette and Maude Childs came to Coleman in 191om Kett County.  The Byrd Billings family, Maude's parents, invited the Childs family to come to Coleman County.  Henry worked at the Rock Crusher and for the Santa Fe Railroad.  He moved his family quite often during their lifetime together, but he always moved back to the land he loved so much - Coleman County.  Henry was born April 19, 1882 in Freestone County, died February 1971, Coleman, married Maude Alberta Billings March 18, 1909, both buried in White Chapel.  Both attended the Baptist Churches wherever they lived.  Henry and Maude's children:

     (1) Lena Fay, January 29, 1910 in Harper, married Otto Irby of Coleman and Comanche Counties, January 1, 1930 at Coleman, both still living in Coleman (see William A. Irby).  Otto and Lena Fay owned Otto Irby Upholstry Shop in Coleman for many years.  Otto and Lena Fay had one daughter, Nyla Dell, December 12, 1944, married November 8, 1967, W. C. Rosentrom of Davenport, lowa, Capt. U.S. Air Force, retired 20 years of service.  One grandson-Jason Prentice, born June 1, 1974 in Okinawa.  Lena Fay taught four years at Silver Valley School, 1934-1938.  Nyla Dell is presently teaching school in the San Angelo area.

     (2) William Byrd, 1913, died at 13 months of age. 

          Henry L. Childs moved his family to San Saba in 1913.

     (3) Henry Shelton, April 16, 1914 in San Saba, served U. S, Army, World War II, married Florence Chapman; divorced, no children, died May, 1964, on ranch in Southern New Mexico.

     (4) Carroll Edwin, January 29, 1916 at Cam Shield farm N. W. of White Chapel, married February, 1945 in Reno, Nevada, to Gene Childs, living in Los Angeles, Calif.  C. Edwin retired from North American Air Craft, now in real estate business.  Two children: Eddie (Jr.), born in 1946 in Los Angeles, and Dolores, in 1948.

          Henry L. Childs moved his family to Arkansas to work in cotton fields, 1918.

     (5) Wilson Charles, December 1918, in Sevier County, Arkansas, married (1) Elizabeth Ohlenforest, November 26, 1948, in Lenggries, Germany.  Wilson C. served U. S. Army, retired 20 years service, now lives in Bangs. Two children: Henry (Hank), lives in Burbank, California, and Monica Maricka Leager, now living in Delaware.  Elizabeth died in 1978.  Wilson Childs married (2) Geri Class, May 18, 1981.

          Henry L. Childs moved his family back to Coleman County, in 1919, rented from Weaver Ranch.

     (6) Clifton Clarence, October 25, 1921 on Weaver Ranch, east of Coleman served 7 to 10 years in the U.S. Army during World War II.  Married Doris Childs in 1942 in Coleman, one son, James B.

     (7) Doris Melba, February 2, 1925, Weaver Ranch.  Married Emary Curtis, February 1945, Reno, Nevada.  Two children: Shari Curtis, born in 1947, and Robert Curtis, in 1949.

     (8) Preston Calvin, November 11, 1926, Weaver Ranch, served in the U.S. Air Force.  Now living in Miles, married Carnelitia Barnes in 1948 in Coleman County.  Two children: Ronny, born in 1949 and Jerry, in 1958.

     (9) Arden Winston, October 14, 1929, on Netherton farm in Coleman County.  Retired U.S. Army, 20 years service.  Married Mildred Childs in Jacksonville, Alabama.  Still living in Jacksonville.  Three children: Sue, born in 1955, Ronnie, in 1957, and Pamela, in 1961.


(Images to be added)

Henry Lafayette and Maude Childs


Lena Faye Childs Irby


Wilson Childs—1957


Preston Childs


Doris [Childs] Curtis and Arden Childs— 1971

Clifton, Edwin and Shelton Childs— 1944


 
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