C.W. Childs
was born in 1844, in Geneseo, New York; graduated at the Wauwatosa High
School, Wisconsin, in 1860, and at the outbreak of the rebellion served
for a short time in the army. Subsequently he came to California,
and began his life work in teaching a public school at Cold Springs, El
Dorado County. Mr. Childs at that time was not of age, yet achieved
marked success at the very commencement of his career as a teacher, and
as years have roiled on fresh laurels have been added continuously to his
pristine success. After teaching several years in California, he
entered the State Normal School, and was graduated in 1867.
Finally
he took a course in a commercial college in San Francisco, and, thus equipped,
returned to his life work. Shortly after finishing his commercial
course he assumed the duties of Principal of the High School at Suisun,
which position he held for eight years. Here he won a brillian reputation
as a progressive educator, and gained for the school the reputation of
being one of the best in the State. By his efforts the school was
supplied with efficient apparatus for all necessary purposes, and among
other things not especially in the cirriculum of a public school, he taught
the boys how to set type, both as an accomjplishment and for recreation.
In acknowledgment of his worth as a teacher and his eminent fitness for
the position, he was nominated and elected to the office of County Superintendent
of Public Schools of Solano County for two successive terms, almost without
opposition. Capable, energetic, and enthusiastic, his administration
of the office could not but be a success, and as a sequence of well earned
laurels, at the close of his term of office, in 1878, Mr. Childs was elected
to the position of teacher in the State Normal School, and in 1886 he was
elected Vice-Principal. In June, 1889, he was made Principal.
Here has he especially accomplished beneficial results in the interests
of education. The State at large feels his influence for good.
Popular with the students, possessing the confidence and esteem of his
fellow teachers, he has won an enviable reputation. Mr. Childs is
an untiring student, and, though not a collegiate, is a fine scholar.
He is the author of "Topical Outlines of History," "Topical Outlines of
the Constitution," and "The Essentials of Bookkeeping," three exceedingly
valuable handbooks for the use of teachers and pupils. In conclusion
it may be said: As a teacher, he is progressive; in methods, direct
and comprehensive; clear and explicit in explanation of knotty problems,
and one who recognized the value of drawing and of Normal training in schools
carried to the highest extent. As a man, genial, courteous, affable,
not puffed up with conceit, but modest and unassuming. A man among
men. His pupils love him, and the teachers of California respect
him and acknowledge his worth.