Lamoni Children’s Home as Recorded in the Census

Thanks for joining me again as we explore the next chapter of research about the Children’s Home in Lamoni, Iowa.  When I started seeking information about my biological grandfather’s stay at the Home, I had no idea I would learn so much, so quickly.  After each post I have received messages from readers that have added details and excitement to the story. 

As we look at the pictures of the buildings and people we can use our imaginations to depict what might be going on – but finding names really brings the photos to life.  Many of these “Inmates” as they were often called, grew up and had families.  Their life stories are so fascinating.

After finding the 1915 state census list (see last blog) of the Home in Lamoni, Iowa, I looked at other census years.  Here are 26 names from the 1920 US Census. Note the enumeration district now lists the Home in Fayette Township which includes Lamoni. 

1920

1920 US Iowa, Decatur, Fayette Township, Children’s Home (Latter Day Saints) p. 8-A

Dated January 8, 1920 the enumerator recorded fifteen families; their birthplaces being Arizona, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington and Saskatchewan, Canada who were in need of the services provided by the Reorganized Latter Day Saints. 

The Children’s Home Superintendent is now Amos M. Chase and his wife Eliza who served as Matron.  Assisted by Emma F. Rogers, Housekeeper.  Mary Smith, Cook and Ruth Smith, Assistant Cook, Nellie L. Smith, the Clothes Woman and Vera Vandel the Dining Room Girl.

1925

In 1925 the state of Iowa recorded another State Census.  Here is the listing for the Children’s Home:
State Census:  Iowa, Decatur, Franklin, p. 160

This census year had multiple pages of information including some parents’ names, occupations and religion.  The names or lack of names gives clues as to why they were in the Home, many of the mothers were not living.

The 05 April 1925 list included the children of Bertha Colyer who was a cook at the Home.  (Virginia A, Alden, Dorcas, Opal B.)  Plus twelve more family names from California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
The Superintendent is Zilpha Monroe assisted by Myrtle Bellantyne, Bertha Colyer, Reme Dickenson, Carrie Holmes and Eber Hawley.

Note: The Home closed in 1926 due to changes in Iowa laws so there are no later census records to discover. 

I can’t believe how many Children’s Home names I’ve found in the census.  Here is an index of all census names found (1915, 1920, 1925). There are other sources of information to be found too – more about them next time.

Is your ancestor in this CENSUS INDEX FILE?

Management of the Home:

1911-1915       W.P. & Isabelle Robinson are Superintendent and Matron.  Moved to
Tulsa, OK and then Independence, MO.

1915-1916      E.D. & Alice Briggs took charge on November 5, 1915.  Mother Briggs’
health steadily declined, they returned to their strawberry farm at
Nebraska City, NE in November of 1916.

1916-1916      Joseph Roberts Superintendent and Sister Ressenguie and Sister
Stebbins served as Matrons.

1916-1918      Father Joseph and Mother Carrie Goode from southwestern Iowa. 
They were formerly at the Liberty Home for the Aged. 

1918-1920      Elder Amos Milton and wife, Eliza (France) Chase were employed and
installed as superintendent and matron in March 1918.

1920-1921     Brother and Sister J.J. Boswell from the Walnut Park Branch at
Independence, MO completed the year.

1921-1926     Zilpha Pearl Monroe.

1926 Home Closed

Lamoni History:
Lamoni was platted in 1879 as a colony for members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who had come to Iowa from Missouri and Nauvoo, Illinois.  The founding was accomplished by the Order of Enoch, a corporation formed for the purpose of purchasing and developing lands for church settlements.  The place was named for a righteous “king” recorded in the Book of Mormon.  In 1881, the Herald official church publication, was moved here from Plano, Illinois. 
Graceland College founded in 1895 as an educational center for the rLDS denomination, but the church offices were moved to Independence, Missouri in 1920.  Fourteen college buildings, including several cottages, on the highest point of a 70-acre campus.  A 300-acre tract of farmland, adjacent to the campus, provides employment for students, and supplies the kitchen with poultry and fresh dairy, garden and orchard products.  The institution became a junior college in 1915; in 1923-24 the third year of instruction was added. 
Two homes for the aged and a childrens’ home were established here by the church, but the former were consolidated and the latter abandoned after legislation made unlawful the transportation of orphans form one State to another. [WPA Federal Writers’ Project 1935 report]  Note: In 1910 the population was 1,541 of those about 1,400 were rLDS church members.  Current 2022 population is 1,969.

Here is a youtube video of modern day Lamoni https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdnFM1mF8ro