"Biographical Sketch of George L. Childress, Webster County, Missouri"

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, Phelps and Dent Counties, Missouri" The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1889.
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Col. George L. Childress, a prominent citizen of Webster county, Mo.,is a son of Hon. R. L. and Hannah (Lacy) Childress, who were born,reared and married in Knox county, Tennessee. They became residents of Cherokee county, Ala., about 1833, and in 1851 came to Greene county,Mo. (now Webster county), and here the father served in the constitutional convention in 1864. In 1866 and 1868 he was elected to represent Webster county in the State Legislature, and prior to the war was county school commissioner, and also held other offices. His death occurred on the 30th of January, 1885, his wife having died in 1862.
George L. Childress was reared to a farm life, and in his youth received only fair educational advantages. At the breaking out of the war in 1861 he enlisted first in the Home Guards, then for six months in Phelps Regiment Missouri Infantry, and at the expiration of that time
joined the Eighth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, and for his bravery and efficient service was promoted first to the rank of captain, then to major, and lastly to lieutenant-colonel, holding the latter position until he received his discharge at the close of the war, being mustered out at St. Louis, August 4, 1865. He participated in the battles of
Prairie Grove, Little Rock, Pumpkin Road, and was in numerous sharp skirmishes. After the war he settled on the old home place, and in 1876 was wedded to Miss Harriet A. Aldredge, who died in March, 1886,having borne a family of six children, whose names are as follows: Mary B., Frances E., Lillie E., Robert B., Creed A. and Linna M. Mr. Childress' present wife, whose maiden name was Louisa Newton, was born in Mercer county, Mo. Besides farming Mr. Childress deals very extensively in railroad ties, piling, posts and lumber, which he ships west,which enterprise has proved quite remunerative. He has always supported the principles of the Republican party, of which he has ever been a prominent member, and was appointed adjutant-general under Gov. McClurg for two years, but resigned at the end of one year. He is a member of the G. A. R.