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State Soldier's And Sailor's Orphan's Home

(Transcribed from the Book Centennial History of Rush County,
Indiana by A.L. Gary & E.B. Thomas 1921)


A permanent outgrowth of the admirable relief work done by the sanitary commission during the war was the eventual erection in this county of the magnificent Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home in section 10, of Center township, two miles south of Knightstown. Soldier's relief stations or "homes" were established for the temporary comfort of returning disabled soldiers and sailors of the Civil war, and on March 4, 1865, by direction of Governor Morton the legislature passed a bill assessing a tax of thirty cents on the $100 of property in the state, the proceeds to be applied to the relief of soldiers' families.   This tax in Rush county amounted to $10,148.48.

As the ''Soldiers' Home and Rest" had grown out of temporary needs the time was nearing when thoughts of a home more permanent were agitated. On May 15, 1865, Governor Morton published an address to the people of the state, suggesting the outline and plan of action for this purpose. On May 25, he issued a circular letter to the clergy of the state, urging them to move their congregations to cooperate in the work. On the same day a meeting was held at Indianapolis, which selected Governor Morton president of the board of directors; James M. Ray, treasurer; William Hannaman, secretary, and Rev. J. H. Lozier, financial agent. One director was chosen from each congressional district. The announcement of the formation of such a society was immediately followed by applications for admission from many disabled soldiers. The city council of Indianapolis gave the association the use of the city hospital buildings, and there on August 10,1865, the home was opened, under the superintendence of Dr. M. M. Wishard. This was followed by Governor Morton's message to the legislature in extra session November, 1865, in which was shown the necessity of such permanent home. The people had been heavily burdened with the war and the appeal produced small results, only $4,994.55 being paid in, with $20,000 out-standing subscriptions. The government gave consent to use the military hospital at Jeffersonville, but the location and other objections made it undesirable and it was never used. The board of directors memorialized the legislature for an appropriation to purchase a tract of land where could be raised vegetables for use by the home.
Finally, from private donations, a tract of fifty-four acres was purchased for $8,500, known as the "Knightstown Springs," on which was one large building used as a hotel, and several small cottages, which afforded room for one hundred patients. On March 11, 1867, the legislature adopted the governor's suggestion and made the home of disabled soldiers a state institution, and appropriated $50,000 to erect buildings and for maintenance and appointed a board of trustees, consisting of Capt. H. B. Hill, of Carthage; Charles S. Hubbard, of Knightstown, and William Hannaman, of Indianapolis. A substantial brick building, three stories and an attic high, 153 feet long and 63 feet wide, was erected and dedicated with imposing ceremonies on June 15, 1867. The superintendent's report for 1868, showed 400 admissions, 221 discharged, and as thirty-one had died there were 148 at the home. Under the legislative act creating the Indiana Soldiers' and Seamen's Home (then so called) admission thereto was granted to, totally disabled soldiers and seamen, partially disabled soldiers and seamen, orphans of same, under fifteen years, without father or mother; orphans, under fifteen years, with mothers living, and widows of deceased soldiers and seamen. On the morning of December 25,1871, fire destroyed that part of the institution occupied by the soldiers, and they were moved to the National Military Home at Dayton, Ohio. The orphans were left in full possession of the home until. the legislature of 1879 provided for the care therein of feeble-minded children. The two classes of inmates were maintained in the home until 1887, when the institution was reorganized as the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home, and the feeble-minded children were removed to new quarters. The home has twice been destroyed by fire, September 8,1877, and July 21,1886, but in each case promptly rebuilt. Educational, religious and industrial training is given.

The law provides for the admission of children in the following order:
(1) Orphan children of Union soldiers or sailors of the army or navy of the United States of the Civil war, the war with Spain, the war in the Philippine Islands, the war with Germany, Austria-Hungary, and their allies, or in the regular service of the United States;
(2) children of such soldiers or sailors, whose mother is living;
(3) children of permanently disabled or indigent soldiers or sailors of such service residing in this state or in any national military home having been admitted thereto from the state.   Such children must be residents of Indiana, under sixteen years of age and destitute of the means of support and education.   They may remain in the home until sixteen years of age unless sooner discharged for cause, and until eighteen years of age, if, in the judgment of the board of trustees, they are unable to earn a livelihood.  Blank application papers may be obtained by addressing the superintendent.   If transportation is not otherwise provided, it can be obtained from the township trustee. It will be paid by the county if the child is a county ward.   All the expense of maintaining the institution is borne by the state.   The annual report on this institution carried in the current Indiana "Year Book" shows an enrollment of four hundred; received during the year ending September 30, 1919, 44; discharged, died or withdrawn during same period, 70; daily average attendance during same period, males 205. females, 122; average number of officers, 10; teachers, literary, 12; industrial, 12; attendants, 13; domestics, laborers and other employees, 28; ordinary expenses, $119,579.27; extraordinary expenses, new buildings and furnishings and permanent improvements, $11,447.76; receipts and earnings, $210.68.

Last Name

First Name

County

Admit Date

BADGLEY BILLY DALE RUSH 1958
BADGLEY RICKEY CARL RUSH 1958
BADGLEY SUE ELLEN RUSH 1958
BALDRIDGE GEORGIA RUSH 1909
BALDRIDGE JOHN RUSH 1909
BALRIDGE GEORGIA RUSH 1909
BALRIDGE JOHN RUSH 1909
BARTHOLIC RICHARD EUGENE RUSH 1943, 1945
BARTHOLIC VIOLA LUCILLE RUSH 1943, 1946, 1948
BRECKENRIDGE GLENN ALFRED RUSH 1943
BRECKENRIDGE JOAN RUSH 1973
BRECKENRIDGE JANE RUSH 1973
BRECKINRIDGE GLENN ALFRED RUSH 1943
BRECKINRIDGE JOAN RUSH 1973
BRECKINRIDGE JANE RUSH 1973
BRYANT VIRGEL RUSH 1912
BRYANT OLA MAY RUSH 1912
BRYANT JOSEPHINE RUSH 1912
BRYANT FLOYD RUSH 1912
BUCKLER EUGENE RUSH 1911
BUCKLER RICHARD B. RUSH 1911
CARTER DAVID MICHAEL RUSH 1970
COLSHEAR NOAH JAMES RUSH 1892
COLSHIER NOAH JAMES RUSH 1892
COONING JULIA VERONICA RUSH 1962
COONING KEVIN JOHN RUSH 1962
COONING TIMOTHY JAMES RUSH 1962
COONING LUCY JANE RUSH 1962
COONING TERRANCE MICHAEL RUSH 1962
COONING III EDWARD MARTIN RUSH 1962
CRODDY RUTH JEANNETTE RUSH 1937
EATON MATTIE (HATTIE) MAY RUSH 1889
ENGLISH PEARL RUSH 1902
ENGLISH ETHEL E. RUSH 1902
FAUROTE CAROL JEAN RUSH 1950
FOSTER EFFIE MAY RUSH 1890
GABBARD RONNIE RUSH 1979
GABBARD TAMMY MARIE RUSH 1979
GLASS KATE RUSH 1892
GOODWIN SARAH FRANCES RUSH 1943, 1946
GRIFFIN JEFFERSON ROBERT RUSH 1959
GRIGSBY CLIFFORD EARL RUSH 1927
GRIGSBY JAMES LOWELL RUSH 1927
HAYNES JERRY EVERETT RUSH 1956
HAYNES JACQUELINE FAYE RUSH 1956
HENDRICKS HARRY RUSH 1901
HENDRICKS OMER L. RUSH 1901
HORRALL LILLIAN BELLE RUSH 1903
JONES CLARENCE ROY RUSH 1892
KASTER JAMES HARLEY RUSH 1968
KEEMER CHARLES SUMNER RUSH 1888
KEEMER EDWARD BLAINE RUSH 1888
KEEMER HORACE RUSH 1888
KEEMER MARINA RUSH 1888
KELLEY ELMER RUSH 1885
KELLEY MARY ALICE RUSH 1885
KELLY ELMER RUSH 1885
KEMP EUGENE DEBS RUSH 1925
KETCHUM CHARLES EDWARD RUSH 1948
KETCHUM EVELYN JOAN RUSH 1948
KETCHUM ROSEMARY RUSH 1948
LEE RUBY M. RUSH 1902
MARTIN STEVEN EUGENE RUSH 1968
MEANS JOHN FRED RUSH 1890
MILLER EMMA RUSH 1885, 1886
MILLER MINNIE RUSH 1885, 1886
MILLER ROSA RUSH 1885, 1886, 1887
MILLER JOHN RUSH 1887, 1888
MILLIGAN MARY ELVA RUSH 1947
MILLIGAN, JR. RAY RUSH 1947
MYERS GEORGE RICHARD RUSH 1940
MYERS MARTHA JAY (JOY) RUSH 1959
NICKEL DANIEL EMMETT RUSH 1929
NICKEL RALPH EUGENE RUSH 1929
NICKEL ALVIN PETER RUSH 1930
NICKEL ELLA MAE RUSH 1930
NICKEL LAURA EVELYN RUSH 1930
NICKEL, JR. CLARENCE DONALD RUSH 1929
O'DONNELL CHARLES MASON RUSH 1917
OCHILTREE EVA RUSH 1887, 1892
OCHILTREE ERMA RUSH 1887, 1892
OREAR DAVID RUSH 1892
PARKER CATHERINE RUSH 1882
PRIDDY CHESTER CLINTON RUSH 1935
PULLIAM DOROTHY MAE RUSH 1921
RANDALL MAUD M. RUSH 1890
RANDALL NELLIE (DELLIE) E. RUSH 1890
ROBINSON PATRICIA ANN RUSH 1949
ROBINSON ROBERT EUGENE RUSH 1949
ROBINSON SALLY ARLENE RUSH 1949
ROBINSON, JR. JAMES RICHARD RUSH 1949
ROUSE LINDA SUE RUSH 1963
ROUSE MARTHA MARIE RUSH 1963
ROUSE PAUL EDWIN RUSH 1963
SANDERS MARY EVELYN RUSH 1948
SANDERS JERRY LEWIS RUSH 1948
SANDERS BUDDY EARL RUSH 1948
SANDERS REITZ LUCIAN RUSH 1948
SANDERS DONNA CAROL RUSH 1948
SINGLETON CHARLES EPSON RUSH 1926
SINGLETON BETTY ANN RUSH 1926
SINGLETON ROBT. HAROLD RUSH 1926
SMITH JAMES T. RUSH 1882
SMITH JANE ELIZABETH RUSH 1974
SMITH JANELLE ANN RUSH 1974
THOMAS EUGENE FRED RUSH 1934
THOMAS FREDA LOUISE RUSH 1934, 1942
THURSTON GARY WAYNE RUSH 1967
TWEEDY PHILIP WOOSTER RUSH 1885
VANNATTER TRACY LYNN RUSH 1891
WAGGONER OLIVER RUSH 1892
WAGGONER SARAH RUSH 1892
WAGGONER ROBT. SAMUEL RUSH 1928
WAGGONER, JR. RALPH EUGENE RUSH 1928
WAGNER SARAH RUSH 1892
WAGONER OLIVER RUSH 1892
WAGONER SARAH RUSH 1892
WAGONER GEORGE RUSH 1892
WAGONER JOHN RUSH 1903
WENNICK ELBERT J. RUSH 1890
WENNICK ZELLA RUSH 1890
WERTZ GERALD M. RUSH 1915
WERTZ HARRY S.H RUSH 1915
WERTZ RAYMOND E. RUSH 1915
WERTZ KENNETH O. RUSH 1915
WERTZ HARRY RUSH 1938
WEST JOAN BOWNE RUSH 1945
WHITFIELD NINA MAXINE RUSH 1973
WRENNICK ZELLA RUSH 1890
WRENNICK ELBERT J. RUSH 1890

(List of resident names transcribed from the  ICPR Archives)

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