Robert Childers: Elk Mills; Honey Creek
Goodspeed's
"HISTORY OF McDONALD & NEWTON COUNTY, MISSOURI,"
Published 1888, (reprinted 1982)
Page 103:
Excerpt:
".....Robert Childers is a native of East Tennessee, born on August 1, 1823.
His father, Robert Childers, Sr., was born in Virginia, and served in the War of 1812 as a private soldier under Gen. Jackson.Upon leaving his native State, the latter first located in Tennessee, and on December 3, 1837, brought his family to Missouri.He located in the only cabin on the present site of Southwest City.This cabin had been built two or three years previously by Robert Louderdale.
In 1838 the family removed into the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, settling on Grand River, near the mouth of Saline Creek, where the father operated a corn-cracker mill, which was propelled by water from the latter creek.However, the following year, he returned with his family to McDonald County and settled on Cow Skin Prairie.Robert Childers Jr., has since been a resident of this county.
He is the owner of 106 acres of land which he rents to tenants.For twelve years he served as Justice of the Peace, administering the duties of his office in an able and satisfactory manner.
On October 16, 1845, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth PRICE, a daughter of Campbell Price (deceased).They became the parents of nine children, six of whom are living, viz.: James C., Sarah A., Martha,Robert, Frank, and Mary J.One daughter, Emma, died after reaching womanhood, leaving a husband and one child.Mr. Childers is an earnest member of the Christian Church.
Mrs. Childers departed this life on October 14, 1875, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church."
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CENSUS DATA (Robert Childers Sr. and/or Robert Childers Jr.):
MISSOURI:
Search > Record Type > Missouri Census, 1830-70 >
Search Results July 19, 2000
Search Terms: CHILDERS, ROBERT
Database: Missouri Census, 1830-70
Year ... Surname ... Given Name (s) ... County ... State ... Page ... Township or Other Info ... Record Type ... Database ... ID#
* 1840 CHILDERS ROBERT Newton County MO252
Elk Over [River?] Township Federal Population Schedule MO 1840 Federal Census Index MOS4a488262
* 1850 CHILDERS ROBERT Mc Donald County MO114
53rd District Federal Population Schedule MO 1850 Federal Census Index MOS7a954407
* 1850 CHILDERS ROBERT Mc Donald County MO116
53rd District Federal Population Schedule MO 1850 Federal Census Index MOS7a954408
* 1860 CHILDERS ROBERT Mc Donald County MO076
Honey Creek Township Federal Population Schedule MO 1860 Federal Census Index MO06098305
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THE STORY
Excerpt:
...ELK RIVER, also called Cowskin, is formed, as stated, by the junction of the two Sugar creeks at the town of Pineville, and flows principally west, meandering north and south at various parts.From Rutledge it flows nearly south about three miles, then bears north until it crosses the state line and enters the Territory about two miles north of the parallel which it starts; thence westwardly until it empties into Grand river in the Indian Territory.This stream was declared navigable by act of Congress many years ago, but it has never been practical for that purpose, there being too many narrow and shallow places.The valley or bottom is from one-half to two miles wide and the soil is very rich.Many large and productive farms are along its banks and the owners are counted way up in the thousands in wealth.
HONEY CREEK arises in Arkansas, runs across the corner of the county, passing through Southwest City and into the Territory.
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Goodspeed's
"HISTORY OF McDONALD & NEWTON COUNTY, MISSOURI,"
Published 1888; reprinted 1982
Section:
MUNICIPALITIES (pages 66-97)
...Page 93:
ELK MILLS, near the line of the [Indian Territory] Nation, fifteen miles west of Pineville, is the name given to what should properly be a large milling center.At this point the waters of ELK RIVER offer unusual advantages to mill owners, and the neighboring lands are equally adapted to agriculture, stock-growing or sheep farming.
This old settlement may be said to have been made up as follows:E.S. Lindsey, W.N. Manter, and Jameson & Manter, general merchants; W.H. Sorrells, druggist; L.Richters, hotel; Aaron Crutchfield, blacksmith; C.W. Trader, physician; Mrs. Frye, laundress; C.S. Bomer, horse trainer, and Rev. G.W. Robertson, of the Christian Society.
The Settlement of today is confined to a few houses, the residence of Judge Shambaugh being the principal one.
Border Lodge A.F. & A.M. was organized April 9, 1856, on petition of James A. Scott,H. Helms,W.F. Lane,W.C. PRICE,John G. Oliver,James C. Blythe,Burton McGhee, of Yancy lodge;T.J. Parks, of Tahlequah lodge:W.S. Chick and Lewis Neely, of Neosho lodge, and STAND WATIE, of Marysville, Ark., lodge.James A. Scott was first W.M.;W.C. PRICE,S.W. and B. McGhee, J.W.
During the [Civil] war the old mill was demolished, and the community thoroughly robbed by scouts of both armies, and independent bands.
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"McDonald and Newton County (MO) Sections of
Goodspeed's History,"
Published in 1888 (reprinted in 1982)
Page 78:
SOUTHWEST CITY:
The town now known as Southwest Cityis admirably located on the border of Indian Territory, and within 6600 feet of the corner stone of Arkansas, Missouri,
and the Indian country.
Within the town, and about it on the north, west and east, crystal springs pour
from the hillsides, while HONEY CREEK, which runs through the center, is itself a spring creek.
North is the celebrated COW SKIN PRAIRIE and the great fields of the Cherokees.Westward is the Indian paradise, and the south and southwest is the great pine and hardwood region Grand Neosho.Within the last few years social conditions have entirely changed, so that the cattlemen enter town in peace and leave it in peace.Even the Indians have realized the change, and conform to it with ease and dignity, giving to the new city some of the old sweetness of the FORMER SETTLEMENT OF HONEY CREEK.[emphasis/caps added].
Additional excerpts:
. . . . . J.P. Lamance and Burton McGhee were the first settlers of Southwest City
in 1842, (page 78).
. . . . . In 1870 Mr. Lamson had a town site surveyed here under the name of Southwest City,(page 79).
. . . . . The original plat was made for J.C. Lamson in 1870, when the name was changed from HONEY CREEK to Southwest City, (page 80).
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Southwest City:
Located in the extreme southwest corner of Missouri, the appropriately named Southwest City is famous for a cornerstone that marks the spot where the borders of Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas meet.
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"Chronicles of Oklaholma,"
Quote:
"HONEY CREEK CROSSES THE OKLAHOMA LINE AT SOUTHWEST CITY, MISSOURI, flows west and empties into Grand River near Grove, Oklahoma".
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Note:
Cherokee leaders, Major Ridge and his son, John Ridge (and, their families) removed to the Honey Creek area (present-day site of Southwest City) in 1837.Accompanying the Ridges was their former ferryman, WILLIAM CHILDERS.
Robert Childers (SEE: Goodspeed's account, above), also removed to this area,
in late 1837.
As of yet, it is unknown if there is a familial connection between the above-referenced WILLIAM CHILDERS, and ROBERT CHILDERS (husband of Mary / Polly Brown)-- who settled in the same area, during the same time-period.
*For additional information regarding early settlement of the Honey Creek / Southwest City area,
SEE: "Chronicles of Oklahoma":
http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v009/v009p233.html#262http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v009/v009p233.html#262
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Re: Robert Childers: Elk Mills; Honey Creek
David Maynard 8/10/05