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Encyclopedia Dubuque

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ORPHAN TRAINS: Difference between revisions

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               Dubuque Sunday Herald
               Dubuque Sunday Herald
               Dubuque, Iowa
               Dubuque, Iowa
 
               05 September 1886
               05 September 1886


                                            More Little Ones Coming
              More Little Ones Coming


                              Agent Curren, of the New York Foundling and Orphan Asylum, to Arrive Here  
                            Agent Curren, of the New York Foundling and Orphan Asylum, to Arrive Here  
                             with Fifty Children for People in this Vicinity.
                             with Fifty Children for People in this Vicinity.


 
               The Herald is in receipt of a letter form Mr. Robert Curren, agent of the New York Foundling
               The Herald is in receipt of a letter form Mr. Robert Curren, agent of the New York foundling
               and Orphan Asylum, stating that he will pass through this city on next Thursday, Sept. 9th,  
               and orphan asylum, stating that he will pass through this city on next Thursday, Sept. 9th,  
               with fifty more little children to be given to families at Epworth, Farley, Dyersville, New  
               with fifty more little children to be given to families at Epworth, Farley, Dyersville, New  
               Vienna and Luxemburg and a few will also be given to families in Fort Dodge. He adds that  
               Vienna and Luxemburg and a few will also be given to families in Fort Dodge. He adds that  
               fifty more will be brought to Iowa the 1st of October and will find homes with families  
               fifty more will be brought to Iowa the 1st of October and will find homes with families  
               between Dubuque and Charles City on the Milwaukee and St. Paul road.
               between Dubuque and Charles City on the Milwaukee and St. Paul road. (1)
 
 




Between 1858 and 1929 an estimated twenty-five homeless children from the streets of New York or the Children's Village (then known as the New York Juvenile Asylum), what is now the New York Foundling Hospital, and the former Orphan Asylum Society of the City of New York, which is now the Graham-Windham Home for Children found a new home in Dubuque. (1) They came by way of the "Orphan Train," a pioneering initiative which led to child welfare reforms, including child labor laws, adoption and the establishment of foster care services, public education, the provision of health care and nutrition and vocational training. (2)
Between 1858 and 1929 an estimated twenty-five homeless children from the streets of New York or the Children's Village (then known as the New York Juvenile Asylum), what is now the New York Foundling Hospital, and the former Orphan Asylum Society of the City of New York, which is now the Graham-Windham Home for Children found a new home in Dubuque. (2) They came by way of the "Orphan Train," a pioneering initiative which led to child welfare reforms, including child labor laws, adoption and the establishment of foster care services, public education, the provision of health care and nutrition and vocational training. (3)


In the 1850s, an estimated 30,000 children known as "street Arabs" were homeless in New York City. (3) Ranging in age from about six to eighteen, they lived in New York City's streets and slums with little or no hope of a successful future. Charles Loring Brace, the founder of The Children's Aid Society, believed that there was a way to change the futures of these children. By removing youngsters from the poverty and crime of the city streets and placing them in morally upright farm families, he thought they would have a chance of escaping a lifetime of suffering. (4)
In the 1850s, an estimated 30,000 children known as "street Arabs" were homeless in New York City. (4) Ranging in age from about six to eighteen, they lived in New York City's streets and slums with little or no hope of a successful future. Charles Loring Brace, the founder of The Children's Aid Society, believed that there was a way to change the futures of these children. By removing youngsters from the poverty and crime of the city streets and placing them in morally upright farm families, he thought they would have a chance of escaping a lifetime of suffering. (5)


[[File:orphan2.jpg|250px|thumb|left|]]Rev. Loring Brace proposed that homeless children could be sent by train to live and work on farms. They would be placed in homes for free, but they would serve as an extra pair of hands to help with chores. They would not be indentured. Older children were to be paid for their labors. (5) In 1853, Rev. Brace founded the Children's Aid Society to arrange the trips, raise the money, and obtain the legal permissions needed for relocation. (6)
[[File:orphan2.jpg|250px|thumb|left|]]Rev. Loring Brace proposed that homeless children could be sent by train to live and work on farms. They would be placed in homes for free, but they would serve as an extra pair of hands to help with chores. They would not be indentured. Older children were to be paid for their labors. (6) In 1853, Rev. Brace founded the Children's Aid Society to arrange the trips, raise the money, and obtain the legal permissions needed for relocation. (7)


Many agencies nationwide placed children on trains to go to foster homes. The orphans were scrubbed, dressed in new clothes and put aboard a westbound train at Grand Central Station. The children were not told where they were going or why. They had no idea that they were on an ''orphan train'' or that they had become participants in the largest children’s migration in history. (7)
Many agencies nationwide placed children on trains to go to foster homes. The orphans were scrubbed, dressed in new clothes and put aboard a westbound train at Grand Central Station. The children were not told where they were going or why. They had no idea that they were on an ''orphan train'' or that they had become participants in the largest children’s migration in history. (8)


Orphan trains stopped at more than forty-five states across the country as well as Canada and Mexico. During the early years, Indiana received the largest number of children. (8) From 1854 until 1929 an estimated more than 250,000 children were placed. (9) Between 1858 and 1910, a total of 6,675 children found new homes in Iowa. (10) Generally smaller towns were chosen for the children, but cities like Cedar Rapids and Dubuque are believed to each have become the homes of as many as twenty-five. (11)
Orphan trains stopped at more than forty-five states across the country as well as Canada and Mexico. During the early years, Indiana received the largest number of children. (9) From 1854 until 1929 an estimated more than 250,000 children were placed. (10) Between 1858 and 1910, a total of 6,675 children found new homes in Iowa. (11) Generally smaller towns were chosen for the children, but cities like Cedar Rapids and Dubuque are believed to each have become the homes of as many as twenty-five. (12)


A compiled list of people coming to Dubuque was developed by Madonna Harm over many years. (12) The following lists the orphan's actual name (or * adopted name), date of arrival, and person who took the child.
A compiled list of people coming to Dubuque was developed by Madonna Harm over many years. (13) The following lists the orphan's actual name (or * adopted name), date of arrival, and person who took the child.


       George J. Augmeier  June 13, 1872  James Rea
       George J. Augmeier  June 13, 1872  James Rea
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       James Paul Wilson                  Unknown   
       James Paul Wilson                  Unknown   


[[File:orphan3.jpg|250px|thumb|left|]]Placement into new families was casual at best. Handbills announced the arrival of the needy children. As the trains pulled into towns, the youngsters were cleaned up and paraded before crowds of "prospective parents." (13) In later years, "parents" wrote to the New York agencies requesting a certain sex, age, hair and eye color. (14) Some of the children struggled in their new surroundings. Children could live with a family for several months and then be sent back to the orphanage. (15)  Others went on to lead normal lives. Although records were not always well kept, some of the children placed in the West went on to great successes. There were two governors, one congressman, one sheriff, two district attorneys, three county commissioners as well as numerous bankers, lawyers, physicians, journalists, ministers, teachers and businessmen. (16)
[[File:orphan3.jpg|250px|thumb|left|]]Placement into new families was casual at best. Handbills announced the arrival of the needy children. As the trains pulled into towns, the youngsters were cleaned up and paraded before crowds of "prospective parents." (14) In later years, "parents" wrote to the New York agencies requesting a certain sex, age, hair and eye color. (15) Some of the children struggled in their new surroundings. Children could live with a family for several months and then be sent back to the orphanage. (16)  Others went on to lead normal lives. Although records were not always well kept, some of the children placed in the West went on to great successes. There were two governors, one congressman, one sheriff, two district attorneys, three county commissioners as well as numerous bankers, lawyers, physicians, journalists, ministers, teachers and businessmen. (17)


In later years, children who thought their "parents" were their biological parents often found themselves with nothing after their "parents" had died. These and others often had no idea where they were born or their names.  Children in the 1800s in New York could be left at a church with no questions being asked. In other instances, a child might have only their first name pinned to their blanket.
In later years, children who thought their "parents" were their biological parents often found themselves with nothing after their "parents" had died. These and others often had no idea where they were born or their names.  Children in the 1800s in New York could be left at a church with no questions being asked. In other instances, a child might have only their first name pinned to their blanket.
Line 106: Line 100:
Source:
Source:


1. Kidder, Clark and Krantz, Colleen Bradford. "West By Orphan Train," Iowa Public Television presentation, December 1, 2014
1. "Orphan Train Riders to Iowa," IaGenWeb Project, Online: http://iagenweb.org/dubuque/orphans/05Sept1886.htm
 
2. Kidder, Clark and Krantz, Colleen Bradford. "West By Orphan Train," Iowa Public Television presentation, December 1, 2014
 
3. "The Orphan Trains," The Children's Aid Society," Online: http://www.childrensaidsociety.org/about/history/orphan-trains


2. "The Orphan Trains," The Children's Aid Society," Online: http://www.childrensaidsociety.org/about/history/orphan-trains
4. "The Orphan Trains," An American Experience, Online: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/orphan/


3. "The Orphan Trains," An American Experience, Online: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/orphan/
5. Children's Aid Society.


4. Children's Aid Society.
6. Ibid.


5. Ibid.
7. An American Experience


6. An American Experience
8. Warren, Andrea. "The Orphan Train," Washingtonpost.com Online: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/horizon/nov98/orphan.htm


7. Warren, Andrea. "The Orphan Train," Washingtonpost.com Online: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/horizon/nov98/orphan.htm
9. Children's Aid Society


8. Children's Aid Society
10. Moore, Alison. '''Riders on the Orphan Train'''. The Official Outreach Program of the National Orphan Train Complex. Online: http://www.ridersontheorphantrain.org/


9. Moore, Alison. '''Riders on the Orphan Train'''. The Official Outreach Program of the National Orphan Train Complex. Online: http://www.ridersontheorphantrain.org/
11. Kidder et al.


10. Kidder et al.
12. Ibid.


11. Ibid.
13. "Orphan Train Riders to Iowa," Cyndi's List. Online: http://www.cyndislist.com/railroads/orphan-trains/


12. "Orphan Train Riders to Iowa," Cyndi's List. Online: http://www.cyndislist.com/railroads/orphan-trains/
14. An American Experience


13. An American Experience
15. Kidder, et al.


14. Kidder, et al.
16. Ibid.


15. Ibid.
17. Children's Aid Society


16. Children's Aid Society
[[Category: Events]]
[[Category: Humanitarian]]

Revision as of 18:09, 20 January 2017

Orphan1.gif

ORPHAN TRAINS. 

              Dubuque Sunday Herald
              Dubuque, Iowa
              05 September 1886

              More Little Ones Coming

                             Agent Curren, of the New York Foundling and Orphan Asylum, to Arrive Here 
                            with Fifty Children for People in this Vicinity.

              The Herald is in receipt of a letter form Mr. Robert Curren, agent of the New York Foundling 
              and Orphan Asylum, stating that he will pass through this city on next Thursday, Sept. 9th, 
              with fifty more little children to be given to families at Epworth, Farley, Dyersville, New 
              Vienna and Luxemburg and a few will also be given to families in Fort Dodge. He adds that 
              fifty more will be brought to Iowa the 1st of October and will find homes with families 
              between Dubuque and Charles City on the Milwaukee and St. Paul road. (1)


Between 1858 and 1929 an estimated twenty-five homeless children from the streets of New York or the Children's Village (then known as the New York Juvenile Asylum), what is now the New York Foundling Hospital, and the former Orphan Asylum Society of the City of New York, which is now the Graham-Windham Home for Children found a new home in Dubuque. (2) They came by way of the "Orphan Train," a pioneering initiative which led to child welfare reforms, including child labor laws, adoption and the establishment of foster care services, public education, the provision of health care and nutrition and vocational training. (3)

In the 1850s, an estimated 30,000 children known as "street Arabs" were homeless in New York City. (4) Ranging in age from about six to eighteen, they lived in New York City's streets and slums with little or no hope of a successful future. Charles Loring Brace, the founder of The Children's Aid Society, believed that there was a way to change the futures of these children. By removing youngsters from the poverty and crime of the city streets and placing them in morally upright farm families, he thought they would have a chance of escaping a lifetime of suffering. (5)

Orphan2.jpg

Rev. Loring Brace proposed that homeless children could be sent by train to live and work on farms. They would be placed in homes for free, but they would serve as an extra pair of hands to help with chores. They would not be indentured. Older children were to be paid for their labors. (6) In 1853, Rev. Brace founded the Children's Aid Society to arrange the trips, raise the money, and obtain the legal permissions needed for relocation. (7)

Many agencies nationwide placed children on trains to go to foster homes. The orphans were scrubbed, dressed in new clothes and put aboard a westbound train at Grand Central Station. The children were not told where they were going or why. They had no idea that they were on an orphan train or that they had become participants in the largest children’s migration in history. (8)

Orphan trains stopped at more than forty-five states across the country as well as Canada and Mexico. During the early years, Indiana received the largest number of children. (9) From 1854 until 1929 an estimated more than 250,000 children were placed. (10) Between 1858 and 1910, a total of 6,675 children found new homes in Iowa. (11) Generally smaller towns were chosen for the children, but cities like Cedar Rapids and Dubuque are believed to each have become the homes of as many as twenty-five. (12)

A compiled list of people coming to Dubuque was developed by Madonna Harm over many years. (13) The following lists the orphan's actual name (or * adopted name), date of arrival, and person who took the child. 

      George J. Augmeier  June 13, 1872  James Rea

      Frances Bauer(*)                   John Bauer

      Arnold Beckett                          Chapman

      Henry Begley                       John Plaburne

      Mary Broklin                       Adam Behringer

      Rita A. Burnham                         Schumacher

      Rita A. Byrne(*)                        Schumacher

      Alice Crannan                      Rev. D. J. Slattery

      Stella Knights                     Richard Powers

      Moses Joseph Moritz                Oscar Enders

      Sara Moritz                        Oscar Enders

      George Radford                     Martin Behyl

      Amy Reichert (*)                   George Reichel

      Frank Reigler (*)                         Reigler

      Elizabeth Roche                           Wichman

      Alma Rousseau                      Anna M. Bartholomew 

      Laura Seymour                      Monastery in Dubuque

      Thomas Taylor                      Unknown

      Clara Von Nostrand                 George Banworth, Sr.

      George Frank Wichman (*)                  Wichman 

      Alice Wilson                       Anthony Digman 

      Alice Wilson                       John Klosterman 

      Catherine Wilson                   Elizabeth Ronan

      James Paul Wilson                  Unknown
Orphan3.jpg

Placement into new families was casual at best. Handbills announced the arrival of the needy children. As the trains pulled into towns, the youngsters were cleaned up and paraded before crowds of "prospective parents." (14) In later years, "parents" wrote to the New York agencies requesting a certain sex, age, hair and eye color. (15) Some of the children struggled in their new surroundings. Children could live with a family for several months and then be sent back to the orphanage. (16) Others went on to lead normal lives. Although records were not always well kept, some of the children placed in the West went on to great successes. There were two governors, one congressman, one sheriff, two district attorneys, three county commissioners as well as numerous bankers, lawyers, physicians, journalists, ministers, teachers and businessmen. (17)

In later years, children who thought their "parents" were their biological parents often found themselves with nothing after their "parents" had died. These and others often had no idea where they were born or their names. Children in the 1800s in New York could be left at a church with no questions being asked. In other instances, a child might have only their first name pinned to their blanket.

Few of the actual orphans who were involved in the train remained alive in 2014. Their descendants, however, could number in the millions. For them the internet has proven a useful tool to find their heritage. Among other sites useful have been The National Orphan Train Complex: http://orphantraindepot.org/ and the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum: http://www.laorphantrain.com/

See: Riders on the Orphan Train 

    http://youtu.be/kexzcq8cXto

    Orphan Train: Largest Child Migration

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=G2nqLt5YGls

    Orphan Trains   

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=cWTTcNBfaRw

---

Source:

1. "Orphan Train Riders to Iowa," IaGenWeb Project, Online: http://iagenweb.org/dubuque/orphans/05Sept1886.htm

2. Kidder, Clark and Krantz, Colleen Bradford. "West By Orphan Train," Iowa Public Television presentation, December 1, 2014

3. "The Orphan Trains," The Children's Aid Society," Online: http://www.childrensaidsociety.org/about/history/orphan-trains

4. "The Orphan Trains," An American Experience, Online: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/orphan/

5. Children's Aid Society.

6. Ibid.

7. An American Experience

8. Warren, Andrea. "The Orphan Train," Washingtonpost.com Online: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/horizon/nov98/orphan.htm

9. Children's Aid Society

10. Moore, Alison. Riders on the Orphan Train. The Official Outreach Program of the National Orphan Train Complex. Online: http://www.ridersontheorphantrain.org/

11. Kidder et al.

12. Ibid.

13. "Orphan Train Riders to Iowa," Cyndi's List. Online: http://www.cyndislist.com/railroads/orphan-trains/

14. An American Experience

15. Kidder, et al.

16. Ibid.

17. Children's Aid Society

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