Churchill started driving on Dec. 1, 1921 and over his 45 years of service has logged approximately one half million miles. He started delivering with a horse and sleigh.
He started in with a 19 miles route and has built it up to 42 miles with 140 boxes. He made the trip six days a week.
"Being a mail carrier is a rewarding experience," he said. "You meet a lot of nice people" who are always willing to give you a hand when you need it."
Winters were especially hard on Mail Carriers, as he recalls the times when he would have to board a horse half way around the route and change to rest the weary horse.
He also recalls the days around Christmas time when he would have 20 or 25 mail sacks tied on his sleigh with packages packed inside to be delivered.
Of course, that was before the Sears, Roebuck and Co. stores were around here, and every one consulted the catalog for their presents!!
Then there was the time in the Spring of year when roads got soft around noon; one trip in particular stands out in his mind. His horse slumped, got down in the snow so many times he finally loaded the animal on a neighbor's long sled and with fresh horses hauled the weary horse to a barn for rest and feed. Churchill had no dinner or supper until 7 p.m.
Of course, there were no paved country roads then, and later in the spring he had his problems with mud.
Now with the winters less severe and open roads, so you can deliver all mail with a car it is much easier.
Today's mail volume is much larger with the heavy load of magazines and "junk" and the increased population.
He has served under four different Postmasters.
He has always been active in civic affairs: was a fireman for 25 years (chief for ten), was Chief of Police for 15 years. He also managed a farm for a number of years and had a herd of 40 cows. But his R.F.D always came first.
He has always lived in Washburn, and lived over 65 years in the house in which he was born.
He has been a member of the Baptist Church for 50 years.
The Churchills have four children and 8 grandchildren.
[January 1967]