Orphan Train brings Herman Walters to Iowa

WALTERS, SILVERBERG, GERLT

Posted By: Robin Butler Daviet (email)
Date: 7/22/2004 at 15:03:00

Alexandria Silverberg married Herman Walters in New York. We have indications that Alexandria may have gone by Anna. They were both born in the United States.

We have two versions of how their children came to be placed in a New York orphanage. One story is both parents died in a fire in 1905, leaving their three children, Herman, Alexandria, and Walter, orphaned. The second story states Alexandria's mother, Anna, died in a fire and her father, Herman Walters, did not feel he could properly care for the children by himself. It is believed he was a bartender in the Brooklyn Bowery area of New York City.

We do know their three children were placed in a New York orphanage where they lived for a number of years. All three were eventually placed on Orphan Trains heading west. We have been told the orphanage that Allie and her brothers were in, burnt down sometime after they left and all records were lost.

Alexandria Walters, who was b. 16 February 1901 in New York City, N.Y. and d. 4 November 1986 in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, arrived in Nebraska in 1918 aboard an Orphan Train from New York City.

Allie, as she was called, was adopted by the Vance family from Peru, Nebraska. However, she did not remain with the family long, because she soon fell in love with Emil Gerlt. They were married 4 September 1919 in Falls City, Richardson County, Nebraska.

Allie searched for her brothers and was reunited with them in the late 1950's, shortly before the death of one of them, Herman Walters b. 11 January 1902 in New York City, N.Y. d. 19 March 1958 in Arlington, Iowa.

Thanks to the help of Dale Wilken, we know Herman lived in Arlington, Iowa for only 5 months prior to his death. He was buried in Carrol, Iowa. Dale also found out Herman had served during World War I.

We are looking for information about Alexandria's parents and current family of her siblings. Directions as to where to search in New York records or other places to look would be helpful. The name of the orphanage in which they lived would probably provide some good clues.

We are anxious to locate Alexandria's birth family and also reconnect with offspring of her two siblings. If any of these names or this story is familar to you, please contact us. Alexandria's family wishes to share her life's story and extended family with you.