Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home

Boone County Residents 1888-1930

The Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home was founded in 1865 to provide care, education and maintenance to the orphaned and destitute children of Civil War Union Army veterans. The Home is located approximately two miles south of Knightstown, Indiana on State Road 140 and consists of 419 acres that include an administration building, children's dormitory cottages, Morton Memorial School, a hospital, dairy farm, camp grounds and recreational facilities. Children from the ages of 4 to 17 are cared for with each child being eligible for vocational training or college at state expense. The Home is owned by the State of Indiana and is managed through a superintendent who reports to the State Department of Health.

During the late 1890's the Home's supporters grew concerned for the Home's future because the number of Civil War veterans' orphans was dwindling. With fewer children needing care the Home's demise was inevitable. The legislature was persuaded to amend the law to include all destitute children of servicemen who served on active duty in any of the authorized campaigns or declared emergencies of the United States as evidenced by an award of authorized decorations for service, an honorable discharge or a letter of mourning or death certificate. Veterans' children from all subsequent wars have been eligible for admission.

This compilation includes the extracted names and admission dates of Boone County, Indiana children who became residents between the years of 1888-1930. Records are available for admissions after 1930 at Indiana State Archives.

Source Citation: Stover, T., comp. Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home - Boone County Residents 1888-1930. [online database] Boone County INGenWeb. 2006. <http://www.rootsweb.com/~inboone> Original data: Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indiana State Archives. "Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home."