Rowland Childe (1826-1886)
Son of Joseph Childe
1886 Obituary [1]
ROWLAND CHILDE, eldest son of Mr. Joseph Childe who was mining engineer to the Low Moor Iron Company, was born at Flockton, near Wakefield, on 29th April 1826, and was educated at Emley Grammar School.
In 1842 he was articled to Mr. Henry Holt, of Wakefield, at that time the chief engineer in the West Riding of Yorkshire, with whom he was engaged in projecting or opposing numerous lines of railway in all parts of the kingdom, and afterwards in sinking and laying out several collieries and iron works in Yorkshire.
In 1860 he joined Mr. Holt in partnership, which lasted until the death of the latter in 1869; since which date he acted as mining engineer to most of the properties in his district, and as mining adviser to the North Eastern Railway, and was continually engaged in arbitrations. His advice was frequently sought on engineering and other questions, in connection with which his prudence was of great value.
On the occasion of the summer meeting of this Institution in Leeds in 1882, he kindly furnished the map of the coal and ironstone district of Leeds, and the section of the strata, illustrating the paper on the history of engineering in Leeds (see Proceedings 1882, page 276 and Plates 49 and 50).
His death took place on 30th July 1886, at the age of sixty.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1883.
1887 Obituary [2]
ROWLAND CHILDE, the eldest son of Joseph Childe, Mining Engineer to the Low Moor Iron Company, was born at Flockton, near Wakefield, on the 29th of April, 1826.
He was educated at Elmley Grammar School.
In 1842 he was articled to Mr. Henry Holt of Wakefield, who at that time was one of the foremost engineers in the West Riding. Mr. Childe was engaged with Mr. Holt all through the railway mania in opposing and projecting numerous lines of railway, in all parts of the kingdom, and afterwards sinking and laying out several collieries in Yorkshire.
In 1860 Mr. Childe joined Mr. Holt in partnership, the connection lasting until the death of the latter in 1869 ; since which date Mr. Childe acted as mining engineer to most of the principal proprietors in the district. Mr. Childe, in addition to being mining adviser to the North Eastern Railway Company, was continually engaged in arbitrations.
Mr. Childe was conspicuous for his unimpeachable integrity, and for exercising the full amount of his energies on whatever business he was engaged upon : his motto being “ thorough.’’ He was modest and unostentatious, shrinking from any kind of publicity, and was one of the most just men in the profession.
Mr. Childe was elected a Member of the Institution, on the 4th of December, 1883, and he died on the 30th of July, 1886, aged sixty years.