William, Frank and John Seibert, Vermilion County

William Seibert (b. 1876) was sent west in 1887, along with two brothers, John and Frank. William was in the home of Henry S. France in Rankin, Illinois.

In 1892 William wrote a letter to the asylum telling the story of his childhood. His father was a drinker and became so much the slave of drink that the family was turned out of their home. His mother attempted to keep the family together, but eventually, she turned to drink as well and the family was broken up. The mother was taken to a hospital, the two youngest children were taken to one institution and the three older sons went to the asylum. They remained in the asylum for eight months before being sent West. John Seibert had returned to New York and brought back their youngest brother to live in Illinois.

In 1895 Mr. France heard a rumor that another person had influenced William to leave his home. This was a frequent problem with the indentured young men. Why other people felt their advice would be helpful is unknown, but the farmers who nearly lost their help saw it as an annoyance and a danger to the boys. France had a stern talk with William and used the example of William's brother, John, to bolster his arguments. Apparently John Seibert had left his home and was not doing well, and according to Mr. France, would be a tramp. William thought that he could make more money working for wages, at which a few young "orphans" had succeeded, but a great many more failed.

No further records of the lives of John, Frank and William are found.