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Were We Orphan Train Riders?
Frances L. Gokey writes, “It is amazing after all these years that there may be a way to fill in some gaps in our lives (my three brothers and sister). So often we have wondered why we all ended up in the midwest when we were bom in New York.
“I am the youngest of five — bom in Addison, New York on August 6,1921 to Harry Earl and Katherine Cook. I remember very little of Addison at that time; however, I do remember my sister, Catherine Pauline Cook and I being in an “orphanage” home on Staten Island. I do know we were under the care of the Children’s Aid Society.
“After talking with my oldest brother, Harry, over the years, he recalled we were all at a church where we were fed upon our arrival in the midwest. This was, to the best of my knowledge, about 1925. Apparently we all traveled together. I have no recollection of our arrival; however I know we lived in various foster homes. I recall one name out of all — and that was a family named Furstenau...in Oakdale (I think) Nebraska.
ORPHAN STORY
“During this time we lost track of Harry, my oldest brother whom I finally met after we had all grown up, married, and had our own children. I believe it was in the 1960s when Harry and I met for the first time — nearly forty years later.
“My brothers’ names are: Harry Cook, living in St. Joseph, Missouri; Rowland (or Rolland) W. Cook, now living in Beaver Dam, New York; and Lawrence Flanders Cook, my next to the oldest brother who is unknown to any of us.
“Harry and I have tried many times to find him, but no success. Catherine Pauline Cook, my sister, lives in North Dakota where she has lived for years.
“I do not know (I was about four at the time) what state we ended up in the church It may have been Kansas, Missouri or Nebraska.”
The biological parents had been estranged from them for several years and were of no help in locating Lawrence (Larry). Both parents have passed away.
Lawrence Cook’s last known address was in Treasure Island, California around 1944.
If you can help Frances locate her brother, please write to her: Frances Gokey, P.O. Box 804, Chester, VA 23831.
Orphan Train Heritage Society
September 3, 1989
Dear Editor,
I am sending a query for CROSSROADS publication. Keep up the good work! I look forward to each issue.
Query: My Grandfather, George Francis Wilcox (Willcox), bom IFeb. 1846, an Orphan Train Rider, was placed by The Children’s Aid Society of New York City with the I. or J. Alexander family of Danville, IL, 1858-1862. I seek information on other Orphan Train Riders and stops made by the Orphan Trains of 1858-1862 going to IL. George Francis had brothers David Levi 'Wilcox, born 4 Jan. 1948, and John Henry Wilcox, born 1 Apr. 1844, New York. Family tradition tells us one brother stopped off the train in Kansas. Anyone have information on a Wilcox in Kansas? A descendant may be Frank Wilcox.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mre. Jayne Taylor HC 67, Box 310 Elida, NM 88116
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Volume 9