David Child (1805-1891)

CHILD, MOULTON, LAWRENCE, WEBB, COLBY, BARTLETT, WALKER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/3/2016 at 16:27:12

From Nevada Representative April 8, 1891

Death of a Pioneer.

Born, March 29th, 1805; died, April 6th, 1891. Such is the record of the two events that are common to all mortals. In connection with the life of DAVID CHILD they have much more that ordinary meaning. Born among the granite hills of New Hampshire when the century was in its early youth; remaining near his birth place until he reached the full vigor of manhood he then turned his face toward the growing West. The last thirty-five years were passed in Story county, Iowa. During this time he had witnessed and been a part of a growth of empire which could not have been seen in any other period of the world's history. When he came to the Mississippi Valley in 1851, settling for brief five year at Peoria, Ill., the great interior portion of the country was making but the commencement of its marvelous growth. Appreciating this fact, Mr. Child pushed on, traversing hundreds of mile of unbroken prairie, and setting his stakes for the remainder of his long life in this community.

He soon became thoroughly identified with every local interest. Restless, industrious, active, he became known as one to be trusted with local affairs of a public nature, and for many years he was employed in the improvement of the streets, the conduct of the schools, and in charge of the interest of the County Agricultural Society. Perhaps his most important work related to the schools. He knew personally for many years every child in the village, and knew the standing in learning and behavior of nearly every boy and girl attending the schools. This work was so thoroughly and conscientiously done that under the law that provided for a single director in each sub-district Mr. Child was never beaten for that office. Nor, it is safe to say, with the primitive methods then in vogue and the limited means at command, have we ever had a better school administration than that given by Mr. Child.

At the age of 21 years Mr. Child married Charlotte Moulton, a sweet girl of sixteen. To them were born in New Hampshire five sons and two daughters, and the unbroken family of nine souls came together to the West. At Peoria the eldest daughter, Charity, married Mr. Lawrence, and it was at her home that Mr. Child passed the last few months of his life. Eliza married S. S. Webb, and for some years lived in Nevada where her husband was pioneer merchant and clerk of the courts. She now lives in Alabama. The eldest son, Chester, came with his parents to Nevada in 1856, and died without issue. George had preceded the family to this town, and was also a pioneer merchant and an early sheriff of the county. His home is still with us. Smith M. Child grew to man's estate in this community, and is now postmaster in Dunlap. George and Smith served with credit in the war of the rebellion. Leroy Child grew to manhood in our midst, and now lives in Omaha, Samuel Child, the youngest of the seven children, became a prosperous merchant of Atlantic, Iowa, and at the time of his death was postmaster in that city.

The fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of David Child and Charlotte Moulton was celebrated by the family in 1877, being a notable event, and the first golden wedding anniversary ever witnessed in this county. Mrs. Child died in 1886.

In his character as a citizen Mr. Child was honest, liberal, industrious and public spirited. he was loyal to the government and sincerely attatched to the institutions of the country. In his religious belief he was liberal, and lived a life of charity toward all and malice toward none. At the ripe age of four score and six, having been faithful to his duty and his conscience, he passed peacefully away, leaving no enemy and many friends. May his ashes rest in peace with those of the loving wife of sixty years, in the cemetery of the western village where both were honored pioneers.

Funeral of David Child.

The remains of Mr. Child, the well know Pioneer, will arrive at three o'clock to-morrow morning, accompanied by the family, from Peoria, Illinois. The funeral will take place at 2 P. M. to-morrow (Thursday). Services will be at the Opera Hall, Mayor Boardman requests that all business houses be closed at 1:30 P. M., so that all citizens may join in respect to the memory of the dead Pioneer.

From Nevada Representative April 15, 1891

The David Child Obsequies.

The funeral services of one of Nevada's earliest and most worthy citizens, were held at Opera Hall, Thursday afternoon, April 9th, 1891, according to announcement made in last week's issue of this paper. Of the near relatives of the deceased in attendance there were his three sons--George of Nevada, and all the members of his family, except George C.; Smith M. of Dunlap, and LeRoy of Omaha; his daughter, Ida of Peoria, Illinois; his three brothers, Dudley and Jonathan of Grinnell and Richard and his daughter, Mrs. Colby, Marshall county, Iowa. Of those less closely connected were Emery S. and Stanley M. Bartlett and John Walker of Grinnell; besides several others residing in this locality. A large concourse of the dead pioneer's old friends and acquaintances were likewise present to testify their high appreciation of his worth as a man and citizen.

The services in harmony with the modest and substantial character of the life they commemorated, were simple in form and consisted of heart felt words of appreciation and regard for his old friend and fellow citizen, by Colonel Scott. Scripture lesson and remarks by W. P. Payne, a comforting prayer by Rev. Campbell Coyle, and appropriate selections of song by the M. E. choir. A few flowering plants kindly furnished from neighboring homes garnished the Hall, and upon the casket a small sheaf of ripened grain, the gift of grand children at Peoria, touchingly symbolized the passin of him "who had gone down to the grave in a full age, life a shock of corn cometh in the season." After the benediction had been pronounced and old neighbors and acquaintances had looked once more upon the familiar, placid face of "Uncle Davy Child," in accordance with the thoughtful suggestion of the family and friends the congregation was excused from further attendance and the remains were tenderly borne by the sons, grandsons and other near relatives of the deceased to the waiting hearse and by the same **ial hands laid to rest beside the sacred dust of the beloved wife in our beautiful city of the dead. Thus had ended the earthly career of one who possessed the esteem and high regard of his fellow man--one who will be long and kindly remembered.