![James Wharmby, Logan County](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e0bd80_9002ec58889f459b97e8af565c0a780b~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_319,h_240,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e0bd80_9002ec58889f459b97e8af565c0a780b~mv2.webp)
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,...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e0bd80_6a6f5bf51c864ca3b51797293b5713a5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e0bd80_6a6f5bf51c864ca3b51797293b5713a5~mv2.webp)
![Emma Davis, Mason County](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e0bd80_6a6f5bf51c864ca3b51797293b5713a5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_319,h_240,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e0bd80_6a6f5bf51c864ca3b51797293b5713a5~mv2.webp)
Emma Davis, Mason County
One aspect of writing this blog that is very satisfying is hearing from OTR descendants. I have met descendants when I presented on...
![James D. Whitley, Logan & Menard County](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e0bd80_70a6e951ef764598896d09131fac05fa~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_277,h_240,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e0bd80_70a6e951ef764598896d09131fac05fa~mv2.webp)
James D. Whitley, Logan & Menard County
James D. Whitley wrote a letter to the Asylum in 1880 when he was an adult, encouraging the children of the Asylum to come West. His...
![John & Annie Lauffer, Orphan Train Riders](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e0bd80_a33fb5b79dfa4edaaae813e4a49c5f25~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_319,h_240,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e0bd80_a33fb5b79dfa4edaaae813e4a49c5f25~mv2.webp)
John & Annie Lauffer, Orphan Train Riders
Annie and John Lauffer were lucky enough to live very close to one another for many years. John Lauffer (1886 - 1961) came West around...