Cephas G. Childs

1793 - 1871

BiographyCephas G. Childs, one of the foremost engravers in Philadelphia, born on September 8, 1793 in Plumstead Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, managed some of the earliest premier commercial lithograph firms in the city. Through his partnerships in the firms Pendleton, Kearny & Childs (1829-1830), Childs & Inman (1830-1833), and Childs & Lehman (1833-1835), along with his active pursuit of skilled artists and lithographers, such as Albert Newsam, P. S. Duval and Henry Inman, Childs facilitated the growth and popularity of lithography as a printing medium in Philadelphia.

Childs entered the printing trades in 1812 following the early loss of his parents. He was apprenticed to Philadelphia bank note engraver Gideon Fairman of the firm Murray, Draper, Fairman & Co. on Sansom Street above Eighth Street. The following year Childs enlisted with the Washington Guards and began his lifelong involvement in volunteer military organizations, including the Washington Greys of Philadelphia, who elected him Lieutenant Colonel in December 1825.

Even though Childs established his own business in 1818, he continued to work on commissions with Fairman, including the portrait engraving of the head of Washington (1823), portraits of General Jackson and Lafayette (1824), and miscellaneous engraved book illustrations. Between 1827 and 1830, Childs completed his most noted project to date - "Views of Philadelphia." The guidebook, issued in four parts of twenty-four plates by local artists and engravers, depicted the landmarks of Philadelphia and was praised in the National Gazette, "we have seen no publication of the kind more deserving of the patronage of Pennsylvania, or more likely to succeed in other parts of the Union, particularly the chief cities. We hope that it will be widely spread."

Between 1829 and 1830 Childs began his lithographic career and worked in the partnership Pendleton, Kearny & Childs (185, i.e., 500 block, Chestnut Street) and printed and published lithographs delineated by Hugh Bridport, E. W. Clay, Albert Newsam, and Moses Swett. The brief partnership ended with Pendleton relocating to New York ca. 1830 and by January 1830 Childs had "the whole lithographic establishment in Chestnut Street." Childs subsequently partnered with New York portrait painter Henry Inman in Childs & Inman. The lithographic firm, often praised in the local press, worked on the seminal McKenney & Hall's "History of the Indian Tribes of North America" and issued city and town views, portraits, political caricatures, natural history prints, and advertisements delineated by Albert Newsam, George Lehman, Thomas Doughty, and E. W. Clay. By May 1, 1830, the firm operated from 80 Walnut Street (i.e., Fourth and Walnut Streets)
The following year, Childs set out in the spring on a voyage to Europe to better learn the trade (his passport application dated May 13, 1831). He returned to Philadelphia that fall, with permanent injuries received during his trip, as well as with French-born lithographer P. S. Duval to bolster the experience of his firm. In 1833 Childs & Inman dissolved and Childs partnered with Lehman, an engraver and lithographer with whom he associated as early as 1827. As Childs & Lehman (43-45 Walnut Street), the firm predominately created lithographs of public landmarks in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, including views of "Eastern Penitentiary," "Fairmount Waterworks," "Philadelphia Arcade," and "Coal Mine at Maunch Chunk." By 1835, his injury sustained abroad and financial failings ended his career in the trade. Duval bought Childs' share of the business at the end of 1834 and the firm was reestablished as Lehman & Duval.

Subsequently, Childs transitioned into editing and publishing, and published "The Commercial List and Price Current" from offices at 221 Dock Street. He retired from the "Current" in 1852, and served as the president of the New Creek Coal Company. He owned real estate valued at $20,000 during his tenure with the company. Childs was also a member of the Library Company of Philadelphia and a director of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

According to censuses and city directories, Childs was married first to Ann (b. ca. 1807) (1850 census) and later Francis (b. ca. 1817) in 1866. In 1840 he resided in the South Mulberry Ward at 365 Mulberry (i.e., Arch) Street. By 1850, he had relocated to “Inglewood Cottage” at 150 Bethlehem Pike in Chestnut Hill. He remained at the residence designed by Thomas Ustick Walter until his death on July 7, 1871.

Taken from "The Library Company of Philadelphia" website on 28 Aug. 2018

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