Katie & David Tonkins
Kate Tonkins was nineteen when she wrote the history of her life. She was born in New York City on June 17, 1873. Her mother died when...
Orphan Train Memorial, Whiteside County
Soon Whiteside County will have its own memorial to the Orphan Trains. I was contacted by a woman whose grandson has taken on this task...
Adolph Schaublin, Rock Island County
One of the purposes of sending children to the West was so that they might fit themselves to be farmers and live the good clean life of...
Clarence Waugh, Iroquois and Will County
Clarence wrote in 1895: Clarence Waugh was still greatly influenced by the Asylum at the age of 21 when he wrote this letter in 1895. He...
Charles Wachsmuth, Madison County
Charles Wachsmuth (b. 1874) came to Illinois and lived with C F Kuhnen in Highland, Madison County. Mr. Kuhnen wrote a letter reporting...
James Wharmby, Logan County
James Wharmby (b. 1871) was the indentured boy of Mr. Chenoweth of Atlanta, Illinois. He wrote his first letter to the Asylum in 1887,...
