Clayton Co. Riders

VERNON, BELL, RHODES, FURNACE, SHEA, LINK

Posted By: LuAnn Goeke (email)
Date: 1/27/2013 at 18:46:54

I found this post on the Adoption.com message board. Since it included information on several Iowa Orphan Train Riders, I thought it should also be posted here.

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Posted: 10-21-2001, 03:44 PM
Came on the Orphan Train NY to IA bef June 1, 1890

Originally Posted By Bessie (Vernon/Buerman?)

My grandmother Elizabeth Agenes ( ) Link came on Orphan Train after the June 1, 1885 census and before Sept. 4, 1890 the first wife died, is used as her birthday, but 1925 census has her as April or May born, and Theodore (Timothy) BELL as other child in Edward and 2nd wife Bridget Shea. They were not married until Jan. or Feb. 1891 according to Dubuque Courthouse and the Cathedral of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA. They came with Mike Rhodes (possibly born WI) and Pierre Furnace on the Orphan Train and the other two raised by Edwards parents as Slaves on farms in Volga, IA. Ed. has lots of land, Highland, IA, Volga, IA.

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Original link: http://forums.adoption.com/immigration-naturalization/44871-came-orphan-train-ny-ia-bef-june-1-1890-a.html

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When researching this post, I found it a little confusing. So I have added more information below to help the next person. If it is inaccurate in some way, I sincerely apologize.

Elizabeth Agenes ( ) LINK seems to be an orphan train rider to Clayton Co., Iowa between 1885 and 1900. Per this post, she appears to have ridden with at least three other children who also got off in Clayton Co.: Theodore (or Timothy) BELL, Mike RHODES and Pierre FURNACE.

In the 1900 Clayton Co. census, she is listed as “Bessie BELL,” a servant in the household of Edward & Bridget SHEA in Highland Twp. Theodore BELL is a servant in the same household. In Sperry Twp., the household of Edward’s father, William SHEA, includes two adopted sons, Michael and Piere[sic] SHEA, both born in New York State. I am guessing that these boys are actually Mike RHODES and Pierre FURNACE.

The 1925 census for Dubuque, Dubuque Co., Iowa, shows the household of Jacob LINK and his wife, Elizabeth, who was born in New York State. Elizabeth’s father is given as Michel[sic] VERNON, born in New York State, which would make her maiden name VERNON, not BELL. She apparently did not know her mother’s name or birthplace, or where her parents were married.

I hope this helps! Best of luck in your research!