Lostine, Wallowa County, Oregon
Another of Wallowa county’s influential citizens and pioneers was laid to rest Sunday afternoon. Perhaps no man in the county was better known than George Childers, having lived here 37 years. To know him was to become his friend. Few men have been more closely associated with the development of Wallowa county. He served on the freight lines between Wallowa county and Union county until the railroad made its appearance and he met the first train as a mail carrier to the Lostine depot. This position he served faithfully for 33 years, having failed only one-half day before his death.
George Finley Childers, youngest son of Robert and Mary Childers, was born in Scotland county, Missouri, Sept. 15, 1867. At the age of 20 he came west to the state of Washington and spent the winter near Spokane. After a harvest near Walla Walla he moved to the Grande Ronde valley where he made his home with his cousin, Jim Childers. Being possessed of the true pioneer spirit, he was not satisfied with what that country offered and he and his brother, Boon, came to Wallowa county and homesteaded in 1894. Mr. Childers has been a man of much influence and highly esteemed by those who knew him.
On Oct. 23, 1896 he was married to Mary Eliza Herring, of Enterprise, and to this union seven children were born, five of whom survive. Clarice died in infancy and Russell at the age of 11. Cecil, Clair, Vera and Verda reside in Wallowa county and Mrs. Max Nicolas, of Pendleton. Mr. Childers has been for many years an officer of the Christian church and his life has been an example of his true Christian faith. He was a member of the I.O. O. F. lodge. As a friend he was loyal, as a neighbor he was kind and obliging and he was a patient and loving father and husband. This vicinity will long remember George Childers, as he was loved by everyone.
In addition to the many friends he is survived by his widow and five children as well as six grandchildren, one brother, Lawrence, of Spokane, and a sister, Bell Merritt, of Alerton, Iowa. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Fred Harriman, assisted by Rev. Arthur Harriman at the Christian church which was crowded to capacity. Burial was made in the Lostine cemetery.
La Grande Evening Observer, La Grande, Oregon, Tuesday, October 27, 1931, Page 5
By Mrs. William Wiggans (Observer Correspondent)