The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-04-06
The Lets Hon. Henry 4. childs.

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The funeral obsequies OF this drstingnlsneu
gentleman, whose death was ahnoun gs III
our last weeks paper, took place On Ahurs
- p;,tSfeld. attended by relatives and friends
If the deceased, on Wednesday, after pray
o-s had been offered and short address
made by Rev. DR.. Kirk, in the presence OF
a number of the more intimate personal
friends of the deceased, who had assembled
at the residence of his son-in-law, Elias
Merwin, Esq, to pay their last respects.
At the depot in Pitts6eld, the body was
received by many citizens of the town and
conveyed to the old homestead. On Thurs.
day all the shops and places Of business
were closed, and the bells of the village
tolled their requium for this beloved chris
tan, as the funeral cortege passed on its
way.
The body had been placed in his home, IN
coffin of the old English style, covered with
black cloth and trimmed with silver. On
the top was large silver budding cross, the
emblemn of the resurrection, under which
silver garter bore the inscription, and pro-
fusion of flowers rested upon it. Prayers
were read at the house by the Rev. DR.. Neil,
in the presence of the family, many personal
friends, and upwards of fifty physicians who
had gathered from different parts of the
state, to gaze for the last time on those dear
familiar features which still remained IN
changed even in death. Eight of these phy-
sicians acted as pail bearers, the remainder
followed il. procession to the church, and
from thence to his final resting place.
The services at the church were performed
by the Rev. DR. Todd, assisted by Rev. DIR.
Strong and Rev. DR.. Neill DR.. Todd, who
had been a warm personal friend and the
beloved pastor of the deceased for many
years, preached an eloquent and feeling dis
course, which was rendered more effective,
as with fearful eyes and broken voice he
pointed to the dead patriarch who lay be
fore him and recounted his noble acts and
manly virtues. His text was from Genesis,
ghost md died in a good old age, an old
man, full of years, and was gathered to his
people," The church was filled with mourn
ing friends from the village and the sur
rounding towns, who, after the services were
concluded, formed sad procession as they
passed the cbancel, to look for the last time
on that well-remembered face whose eyes
were now closed forever. So ended this last
tribute to that good old man.
Dr. Childs' ancestors were leading patrl-
OTIS in the revolution of l776, and he has been
equally prominent in political, as we'll as
professional and social life. In the senate,
as well as in the chair of lieut.. governor of
this commonwealth, he was always prompt,
practical and energetic; In the sick chamber.
ever kind, sympathetic and hopeful. He
founded the medical college IN Pittsheld,
amidst great obstacles, and achieved for 1t
the worthy position which it now holds
His house was always open to his friends,
his purse to the poor, and his deep sympa-
thy to those in sorrow never failed to comfort
the afflicted. He was christian and gen
tieman, and we can say no more, but close
with the concluding paragraph of a long and
deserving tribute to his memory, from the
Pittsheld San. ain the private walks of
life, DR.. Childs was fond and devoted hus-
band and father, the truest of friends, the
most genial of companions. He retained to
the last the vivacity and spirit of youth, his
desire for the well-being of all mankind, his
deep and liberal interest in every enterprise,
especially for the good of the ommunity m
which he had so long resided. No troubles
which ever came upon him, no deerepitude
of age, no sufferings of disease chilled for a
moment his broad and manly affections,
and he was none other on the day of his
death than the noble hearted, undetermined
Harry Childs, as the mates of his youth re-
mem bered him. Tender as he was noble,
he breathed his life ont in blessings on his
only surviving child, and passed to better
world so gently, that those bending over him
hardly knew when he ceased to ive."-Bos
ton Courier.
DR.. Childs was brother of the late Mrs.
Bowers, of this city, and an uncle of Mrs. 7.
J. Buford. 1t was the good fortune Of the
editor of this paper to enjoy his acquaintance
and friendship for many years. He was a
man of rare Accomplishments and was
greatly beloved By all who knew him. The
old democrats will remember him as having
been lieutenant governor of Massachusetts,
when Marcus Morton was governor.