Childs, Samuel Minott (1841 - 1889)

CHILDS, HARDIN, REINIG

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/3/2013 at 22:50:23

Atlantic Daily Telegraph
Monday, January 14, 1889, pg. 3, col. 3

DEATH OF POSTMASTER CHILDS.
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This community was never more startled by the ringing of a fire alarm in the night, than it was Sunday at 9 o'clock a.m., when word was passed from neighbor to neighbor that Postmaster S. M. Childs was dead. The city had been informed by the TELEGRAPH that Mr. Childs had gone to his home on Wednesday morning with the mumps, but none but those specially near to the family knew until late on Saturday that the patient was in any danger. On Saturday he had a desperate fever, which the attending physician felt must be fatal unless relief could be given. The afflicted man did not have strength enough to throw off the disease. About 9 o'clock Sunday morning some blood vessel burst, producing internal hemorrhage, and Mr. Childs died instantly and without apparent pain. He had talked with his wife and family the previous evening about the possibility of dying, and said he was not afraid to go. When asked if he did not regret leaving his family, his whole frame quivered with emotion. Samuel Minott Childs was born in Bath, New Hampshire, and would have been forth-eight years of age had he lived until June 27th next. He located in Lewis, Iowa, in the year 1865 and engaged in the dry goods business with L. O. Reinig, the firm of Childs & Reinig. On June 20th, 1867, he was married to Miss Mary E. Hardin, whose father was a pioneer settler of Pottawattamie county. The wife and six children survive, the eldest child being twenty years of age, the youngest six years. In 1868 the firm of Childs & Reinig opened a dry goods store in Atlantic, which continued many years. The firm was finally dissolved, Mr. Childs taking the Atlantic store and Mr. Reinig remaining at Lewis. The history of both men ws one of business success and business integrity. Mr. Reinig preceded Mr. Childs to the Great Beyond nearly two years. Mr. Childs was a very careful business man, prudent and conservative. He leaves a comfortable estate. His home life was his delight. He was devoted to his wife and children, and would rather be at home than any place else. His domestic life filled the highest ideal. He was pleasant with all his fellow men. His dealings were fair. As a Postmaster he was exceptionally popular with all parties. During his official term not a word of complaint was ever heard -- but praise for his good management was heard everywhere. This fact being known to him, was a great comfort to him on his death bed. The deceased leaves a very wide circle of friends in this city, county, and in fact western Iowa. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and will be buried under their auspices. He thought very much of the order, and it was his oft expressed wish to be buried by them. The members of the fraternity are requested to meet at the hall of Pymosa Lodge No. 271, at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and the funeral is to be at 2 o'clock on that day at the family residence.