Cerro Gordo County Iowa 
Genealogy

Part of the IaGenWeb Project

Orphan Trains in
Cerro Gordo County  
Contributed by John McLaughlin

The following reference is to an Orphan Train stop in Dougherty in 1885. It is unknown at the present whether 
the Orphan Trains made just one stop in Dougherty or multiple stops over the years.  The 1900 census of Dougherty
Township contains a number of adopted children, all born in New York.  There are also several adopted children 
in the census with birthplaces in Iowa. It is unknown whether these children had any connection with the Orphan
Trains.
  There were three stops listed for Mason City - presumably the train would have stopped at Dougherty at these 
dates as well.

   Mason City -- 1871
   Mason City -- 1889
   Mason City -- 1913

  There is no evidence in the 1880 census however that any children in Dougherty were adopted in 1871.  Which 
leaves the stop in 1889 as a possible date. The ages given for the children in the census would tend to support the 
1889 date, with the exception of James Brislen, born ca. 1895.  But the dates of birth given in the censuses are
notoriously unreliable as a comparison between dates on tombstones in St. Patrick's cemetery and corresponding 
entries in the census will illustrate.

  The following reference and date for a Dougherty adoption came from the internet -  
without any documentation.

  Katie Kelley Keller      1885    Dougherty      Sally Morris

  Adopted children from Dougherty Township
  born in New York (1900 Census)                  Place of Birth

Brislen, James Jan 1895 5                  adopted           NY
Burke, Leavis Oct 1886 13                  adopted           NY
Campbell, Ella (McMenimen) 1886 13         adopted           NS
McKenna, Robert  Aug 1885 15               adopted           NY
Boyle, William Oct 1885 14                 adopted           NY
Kelly, Patrick Apr 1883 17                 adopted           NY 
O'Connor, George 1888 12                   adopted           NY
Gaheran , Elizabeth Feb 1886 14            adopted           NY
Ormsby, George Apr 1885 15                 adopted           NY
McLaughlin, Rose 16                        adopted           NY
Murphy, George Apr 1886 14                 adopted           NY

Sinaley, James 15  ward  b. Sept. 1994 in NY - parents b. in NY
(adopted by the McMenimens of West Fork township, Franklin Co.)

Burke, Mary H. 5                           adopted           IA
McGee, Joseph Nov 1886 13                  adopted           IA


  In nearly every one of these orphan train adoptions, the place of birth of the person is listed as New York
 - Unk. - Unk.  In the case of Ella Campbell (in the list above) her birthplace is given as NS - Unk - Unk. 
(or unknown for the birthplace of her parents).  It is 
not clear at all what the NS stands for. 
  There are several other such entries in the 1900 census - and these may also be orphan train riders - but in the 
censuses they are not listed as adopted but generally appear as boarders or servants with a different
surname.

Vinton, John 22                            servant-lab.       NS - unk - Unk
Danson, Harney 24                          servant-lab.       NS - Unk - Unk.
(both living on the farm of Daniel Dougherty)

More?, Patrick                              boarder-merchant   NS - Unk - Unk
(living on the farm of James Dougherty)

 Most of the tenants with Charles Mertz in the town of Dougherty follow the same pattern.  Their place of birth 
is written unknown - but this is erased and written over with an NS., followed by unknowns for the birthplace of 
their parents.

Longler, Paul
Morrison, W.
Hanlon, John
Denser, F.
Callaghan, W?
Lubi, E.
Eagle, J.
Burke, Thomas

McGinnis, Roy                              servant-lab.        NS - Unk - Unk
(living on the farm of James H. Smith)

  
  According to the History of Dougherty, Iowa (When Irish Eyes are Smiling) the orphan train came to Dougherty in 
1890.

  "During the year 1890 a trainload of orphans were brought to the area. These children were from New York City 
and were left homeless when their parents became deceased or abandoned them.   The children were brought to the 
area by a group of Catholic Sisters, named the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
  Many families of Cold Water were encouraged to adopt a children or children.  Families of the time were often 
large and still there was always room for one children or more at their table or in their home.
  In all there were 24 orphans and they had no identification as their records had been destroyed by fire in New 
York.  Their ages were from two to five years of age and the group was all boys with the exception of two girls.
  A total of 24 children were adopted by the people of Cold Water.  Some families adopted more than one child.  
Some of the children received new given names and they all received new surnames.
  Some of the surnames given were: Monahan, Boyle, Toner, Kyle, McKenna, Coyle, Murphy, McMonagle, Kelsh, McCauley, 
Hogan, Dougherty, Ormsby, Burke,McGee, O'Connor, Campbell, McGahren.
  These children were all placed in good homes and were a blessing to their new
found family and the community.


  If anyone has any additional information on the Dougherty, Iowa
Orphan Train stop, please send me an email (Lochlan@aol.com).