Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 1119

CHILDERS, WILLIAM - Owing to its location, Springfield is a great distributing market for points all over the State, as well as to those lying outside. The immense rich farming regions lying contiguous to the city pour into it vast quantities of products of all kinds, the handling and shipping of which engage the ability and energy of many of our leading men. Through them and their progressive spirit in meeting demands of outside markets, the stock business has reached immense proportions, and one who controls a large volume of it here is William Childers, who has had a long and varied experience in this line of endeavor. He was born near Springfield, in Sangamon County, August 7, 1869, being a son of John and Hattie (Sparks) Childers, the former born on a farm in Tennessee in 1837, and the latter on her father's farm in Macoupin County, Ill. in 1845. The parents were farming people and attained a fair measure of prosperity. John Childers proved his loyalty to the Union by serving in Company H, One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Volunteers, for a period of three years.

William Childers was educated in the country schools of Sangamon County, and when he left school first worked for his father. Later he left the farm to engage with Cudahy Packing Company, as manager, holding this responsible position for five years and gaining a remarkable insight into the stock business during this period. His interests were thus enlisted in stock dealing and he left the company to go into business for himself, now being one of the largest operators in his line in this part of Illinois. In 1905 Mr. Childers was appointed Deputy Sheriff and for three and one-half years efficiently acted in that capacity, gaining an intimate appreciation of the duties pertaining to the office. In the fall of 1910 he was a candidate for the office of Sheriff. Having always been a resident of Sangamon County, Mr. Childers' whole interest is centered there, and he has its welfare deeply at heart. His political views have never changed from the time he cast his first vote for a Republican candidate.

When he was nineteen years old Mr. Childers was married in Springfield to Mary Anderson, born in Morgan County, Ill., in 1871. Her father was Roadmaster of West Division of the Wabash Railroad for eighteen years, and one of the most reliable men of that service. Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Childers: May, aged seventeen, and Cecilia, aged eleven years. Mr. Childers comes of German descent and appears to have inherited many of the sturdy virtues of that people, whose industry, intelligence and thrift are known the world over. In all of his business relations he has shown shrewdness and seen insight into existing conditions, and his success has been the result of his own unaided efforts. He and his wife are deservedly popular in Springfield, where they have a host of friends, all of whom they welcome at their delightful home.