Biography - Orlando B. Childers

ORLANDO B. CHILDERS. The agricultural affairs of Bossier Parish, La., are ably represented by the subject of this sketch, among others, who is an honorable, upright gentleman in every respect, his word being as good as his bond. He was born in Stewart County, Ga, in 1839, his parents being Winfrey and Nancy (Hawkins) Childers, their births occurring in Georgia, in 1804 and 1812, respectively, their marriage taking place in Stewart County, of that State. About 1842 they removed to Alabama, and from there two years later to Natchitoches Parish, La., and in 1862 to Bossier Parish, and in 1877 to Comanche County, Tex., where the mother died in 1881. Mr. Childers then returned to Bossier Parish, and here spent the remainder of his days, dying in 1884, both he and his wife having been members of the Missionary Baptist Church, his occupation having been that of a farmer. Orlando B. Childers is the third of nine children, three of the family now living, the others being Samuel R. and Daniel, of Natchitoches Parish. Orlando was reared on a farm in Natchitoches Parish, until he was ﬁve years old, but his schooling during his youth and early manhood did not exceed a few months. In 1861 he joined Company D, Nineteenth Louisiana Infantry, Army of Tennessee, and was in the engagements at Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta campaign, Franklin, Nashville, Spanish Fort and Meridian, Miss. He was slightly wounded at Atlanta, but was otherwise uninjured during his service. After the close of the war he returned home, and in 1866 was married to Miss Sophia, daughter of John Hall, but her death occurred in 1873. Two years later Mr. Childers wedded Josephine, daughter of Adolph Lattier, who was born in Bossier Parish, his father, Francis Lattier, being one of the early settlers of this Mrs. Childers was born in this parish, and here her children, seven in number — ﬁve sons and two daughters — were also born. Mr. Childers is the owner of 262 acres of land, 100 acres of which are cleared and under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Childers are worthy members of the Catholic Church, and are highly esteemed by all who know them.

Contributed 29 Aug 2020 by Norma Hass, extracted from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, published in 1890, page 129-130.