| From 1853-1929 a mass migration of approximately
300,000 orphan children was in progress all across America.
It is estimated that 8-10,000 babies, young children and
young adults were brought to Iowa from many orphanages in
Boston, New York and other northeastern coastal cities.
This event is referred to as the 'placing out' system. It
was not a new concept as it had been used in Europe for many
years prior to its use in America. This method of providing
homes for orphans /children was the forerunner of foster
care as we know it today.
Our developing history of America deals with the rapid
influx of immigrants to our country that over-whelmed our
ports. We were not prepared with homes, schools, food,
medical care and the needs of people who were arriving by
boatloads.
Eventually children of all ages were left to roam the
streets, turning to any source for food, shelter and
clothing. They obtained the basic needs of life by any means
they could find such as singing on street corners or in
bars, shinning shoes selling newspapers or flowers. While
some ventured into the life of crime and were taken to jail.
Not all children were full orphans. Some had one or both
parents living but they could not supply the needs of the
child. Therefore, the parent turned them over to the various
orphanages that were being supplied by the city.
Numerous orphanages, both public and private, were
established. While most of them were 'Christian' by nature,
some were opened for specific ethnic or religious groups.
And many are still in business today.
There are too many to acknowledge so those listed here
are the five major facilities that brought babies, small
children and young adults to Iowa:
Home For Wayward Children opened in Boston, MA. In 1849.
The Baldwin Home for Little Wanderers opened in Boston,
MA. In 1850.
Opened in 1851, The New York Juvenile Asylum merged with
the Children's Village in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
 Rev Charles Loring Brace began
the New York Children's Aid Society and the society is still in business
today. Rev. Brace initiated the "Placing out" system because
he felt that to confine a child would undermine their
development. And so, he established trade schools to provide
working skills to be useful in a chosen occupation or at
their new home.
Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul opened the New
York Foundling Hospital (Home) with $5.00 and an empty
building in 1869. Their main concern was the infant, the
mother, and a Catholic up bringing. However, they also
welcomed children of every race, color and creed and still
take care of numerous children every year. Children from
this facility were pre-arranged for through the local
Catholic priest in the city where they were taken and they
were most likely to be the ones that were adopted.
Police and ministers did their best to attend to the
needs of the most sick, hungry or abused child they found
and they did their best to find the parent(s). When this was
not successful they took them to shelters, alms-houses or
orphanages.
Upon arrival at the orphanages they were fed, bathed,
checked for medical needs and, if known, information was
recorded in ledgers such as age, date of birth, parents
names, place of birth, etc. Some records were well kept
while others are scant or missing. They were assigned places
to sleep and chairs in the dining room. Those with apparent
diseases were placed in an infirmary or away from the others
until they were well.
Life went on from there with Agents and assistants caring
for the well being of the residents. The personality,
intelligence and other factors were closely monitored
because eventually the child would become a member of a new
family where these attributes would have a great bearing on
stability in their new home.
Railroads to Iowa began in the early 1850's to and
through Dubuque and Davenport, Iowa. The trips were planned
for groups of 10-50 children along with their Agent(s) to
arrive on Friday from New York. The Boston groups left on
Sunday noon and the New York group left at noon on Tuesdays.
Children of all ages were chosen for the trip with the
older ones helping the Agents take care of the younger ones.
They came first in boxcars and later in Pullman cars. They
were usually loaded first due to the large amount of luggage
and food supplies needed for the long journey. When they
were safely loaded on the train with their coats and lunches
stored away, the Agents set aside dress clothes to be worn
upon arrival at their destination.
A change of trains and perhaps depots was done in
Chicago, ILL. Once loaded and settled the clatter of wheels
on the tracks, along with the rocking motion of the train
soon lulled the children to sleep and for the most part they
all arrived in good condition.
Present records show that there were 8 Agents who brought
groups to Iowa. There is currently no list of Catholic nuns
but they did accompany their groups as well. - Mr. H.
D. Clarke
- Miss Clara B. Comstock
- Mr. Robert Curran
- Mr. Charles Frye
- Miss Annie Laura Hill
- Mr. E. E. Trott
- Mr. J. W. Shields
- Mr. E. Wright.
In 1910 Mr. Wright had recorded 119 trips West and this
same number, more or less, occurred in the lives of the
others as well.
In the early years when they arrived at the depot they
were escorted by livery wagons or in good weather they all
walked to the hotel or church to get washed up and changed
clothes. Then they were ready to be seen by the folks who
had gathered to view them and perhaps take one home with
them. Sometimes the children sang songs, recited poems or
simply visited with the crowd.
When a child was chosen by a family then the Agent and
the head of the household signed an agreement that they were
willing to take full responsibility for the care of the
child until it reached adulthood. It included attending
church, school, food, clothing and any needs of the child.
There was no cost to the family nor were they paid for the
care of the child. This could be reversed at any time should
a grievance occur between the child and family occur.
Siblings were usually separated at this time as couples
wanted only one child or perhaps two. They were sometimes
located in the same city or a city nearby.
Catholic orphanages traveled to pre-planned destinations
because local citizens had already applied for a specific
age and appearance of a child. This was accomplished through
the local priest and the local priest sent the applications
to orphanage after approval of the home. These requests were
followed as closely as possible. A number was assigned to
the request and the same number was sewn onto the hem of the
dress of a girl and the inside of the jacket of a boy. A
notice was sent to the couple about when and where the child
would arrive. These children were most usually adopted by
the couple because they were so young. Older children were
also placed out by Catholic orphanages.
At a later time an Agent went to the home to see a child
and the family and determine if everything was going well.
If not, then the child was removed to another home. It is
said that some orphanages encouraged the children to write
letters to the orphanage about their progress and copies of
these may be in the child's file at the orphanage.
Research shows that very few adoptions or placements
failed which speaks well for the families in Iowa. Farmers
and merchants were in great need for assistance in the
growing years of Iowa's development. Here at the Research
Center are records of children all across Iowa, hardly a
county or city has not been touched by the lives of the
orphans. They were either brought to or lived in each
community across the state.
Much can be said for and against this method of obtaining
homes, the up bringing of the child and it's affect upon
them. However, if you are ever privileged to be in the
presence of an Orphan Train Rider and hear about their
journey they are pleased with the outcome. Protestant
"Orphan Trains" and Catholic "Mercy Trains" or "Baby Cars"
have long since made their final trips to the West but their
legacy lives on in the hearts of those they carried to their
new homes and lives.
The above material contributed to this site by
Madonna Harms. | 
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