Collections of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan

Vol. VI

Lansing, Mich. Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford Company State Printers 1907

Page 457

J. Webster Childs was the youngest son of Deacon Josiah and Abigail Childs. He was born at Hennicker, N. H., the birth place of his parents, June 16, 1826, and hence was 56 years, 4 months and 23 days old when he died. His father died at the age of 77, while his mother reached the ripe age of 88 years. At an early age he entertained a strong desire to obtain a good education, and by dint of his own efforts obtained his desire. In 1848 he came to Michigan and located in the town of Augusta. The next year he was elected school inspector and served in that capacity for more than twenty-five years. In 1850 he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors in which office he served seven years. In 1858 he was elected to the State Legislature and re-elected in 1860. And since that he has been elected three times to the state senate and during the last term was president pro tem., of that body. In 1868 he was made a member of the Board of Agriculture, which he held to the day of his death. In 1848, Aug. 30, he was married to Lucy A. Hubbard, who survives him and mourns the loss of a faithful and beloved husband.

A special 'thank you' to Bonnie Petee for transcribing and submitting this historical data.