The death of Major Frederick W. Childs, 86, in Brattleboro, Monday, closes a long and active career. He contracted a cold three weeks ago which aggravated a heart trouble of long standing. Mr. and Mrs. Childs were spending the winter at 20 Williston street, having rented a room there. Major Childs was born in Wilmington September 16, 1849, one of the 12 children of Adna B. Childs and Hannah (Lamb) Childs, one of whom was the late Asaph P. Childs, who was prominently engaged in the insurance business in Bennington for many years. At the age of 16 years he came to Brattleboro as a student in the Burnside Military academy. Afterward he attended Brattleboro high school, also Williston seminary in Easthampton, Mass. He always maintained a deep interest in Brattleboro high school and in its Alumni association activities, serving as chief marshall of the alumni reunion parades until a few years ago. In the winter of 1869-70 he served as railway postal clerk for Gustavus Hoyt between Shelburne Falls and Fitchburg, Mass. The following spring Capt. Ranslure W. Clarke, postmaster at Brattleboro, appointed him clerk in the post office, a position which he filled for several years and in which his activity, efficiency and agreeable manners won the good will of the patrons of the office. He resigned this position and entered the insurance business in partnership with T. J. B. Cudworth. In January, 1886, in accordance with the wishes of a large majority of Brattleboro residents, President Grover Cleveland appointed Mr. Childs postmaster, at a time when the postal service was developing rapidly and new methods were being adopted. Quick to appreciate the public needs and to see the possibilities of the service, Mr. Childs effectively urged upon the federal post office department the improved facilities which he desired. In this way the improvement in the local service became very marked, and at the expiration of his first term, although he was a Democrat, a majority of the Brattleboro Republicans asked President Benjamin Harrison for his reappointment, which was granted. This was considered a triumph for the principle of civil service reform, and President Cleveland in his second term again appointed Mr. Childs postmaster, so that he served three four-year terms in that capacity. During his term of office the post office was located in the town hall building. Street letter boxes were located in the village May 1, 1886, and the free delivery system was established here July 1, 1887, with four carriers. When Mr. Childs began his clerkship at the Brattleboro post office he was the only clerk employed. At that time the assistant postmaster, C. H. Mansur, afterwards postmaster, and Mr. Childs did the bulk of the work under Postmaster Clarke's supervision. Major Childs saw extended service in the Vermont militia. He was elected a lieutenant in the Estey Guard, a forerunner of the present Company I of the 172d regiment, in 1876 under Capt. Julius J. Estey, later General Estey. In 1887 he was elected captain of the company, holding that office until 1892, when he resigned and was commissioned major and placed on the retired list under a new law of the state, as a recognition of his long term of faithful service. He served on the Brattleboro board of listers three years, also as an incorporator of the Vermont Savings bank and of the Wilmington Savings bank, of which his father was president. He possessed a natural aptitude for news writing and served as Brattleboro correspondent for the Springfield (Mass.) Republican some 30 years, writing some especially interesting Sunday letters. For about 30 years Major Childs was in the insurance business with his brother, Rollin S. Childs, representing the New York Life Insurance Co., for which company he was resident cashier a long time. In 1892 Major Childs and George E. Fox bought Edward J. Carpenter's news agency, which was located in Market block on Elliot street. They conducted it 11 years. Mr. Fox being the active manager. Mr. Fox then sold his interest to P. F. Connors and Major Childs disposed of his interests later. Major Childs was a member of the first board of admissions of the Brattleboro Home for the Aged, which was dedicated December 29, 1897, serving in that capacity for many years. Major Childs was a pioneer of the telephone in Vermont. On May 18, 1877, he and his nephew, the late Walter H. Childs, and E. G. Frost established a private telegraph line here. Out of this little beginning developed the Brattleboro exchange. About 1880 Mr. Childs and others built the trunk line to Wilmington. Childs & Co. sold the Brattleboro telephone exchange to the New England Co. and about 1901 Major Childs built the Brattleboro and Marlboro line which later was extended to Halifax and which for some years he operated as lessee of the New England Co. Major Childs was one of those who assembled in Keene, N.H., to listen to the first telephone message across the continent from California. During two sessions of congress Major Childs was clerk of the house committee on war claims. In 1911 he was clerk of the Philippine resident commission. He always took a deep interest in his native town of Wilmington, where he built Childs Tavern, which he sold in 1912 to F. S. Crafts, and where he erected Childs Memorial hall, which he later sold to the town. He was one of the organizers of the Forest and Stream club in Wilmington. He and his brother, the late Asaph P. Childs, years ago bought the Barna A. Clark place on Ames Hill which Major Childs later sold to Miss Nellie L. Archer now of Allendale, N.J., and which is now owned by Mrs. George Pfeiffer. He built another house across the road, which he and Mrs. Childs have occupied the past few years. On Jan. 8, 1878, Major Childs married Miss Emma Maria Fullerton of Chester. For many years their home was on Terrace street. Mrs. Childs died in Brookline, Mass., in November, 1923. On June 11, 1927, he married Miss Marion Thomas of New Haven, Conn., who survives. He also leaves a daughter, Ruth W., wife of Ernest C. Young of Brookline, and a grandson, Frederick Parker Young. Two nephews, Frank A. Childs of Wilmington and William L. Thayer of Springfield, Mass., and one niece, Mrs. E.C. Adsit of Burlington. For many years Major Childs had been a member of St. Michael's Episcopal church, which he served efficiently as a warden and as a vestry man. He was a member of Beauseant commandry, Knights Templar, and of various other Masonic bodies, in which he held various offices, and was a member of Wantastiquet lodge of Odd Fellows. For a number of years he was president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Major Childs was the last survivor of his father's family. Among his brothers and sisters who were best known here was Asaph P. Childs, Esther M., who married Kittredge Haskins, Rollin S. Childs, Helen, who married John E. Clary, Sarah M., who married Charles D. Kidder and A. L. Childs of Wilmington.
Deerfield Valley Times, 10 Jan 1936