Press release published on thecity1.com, Morrison Online by Editor and Publisher by Stephanie A. Vavra
C.A.R. President to Discuss Orphan Train Project June 30
Morrison Historical Society will host Bryn Callahan, 17, State President of Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.), on Sunday, June 30, 2019. The public is invited to this one-of-a-kind program at Morrison’s Heritage Museum, 202 E. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL. Doors open at 1:00 p.m.; Callahan’s unique program starts promptly at 1:30. Members of Rock River, Mary Little Deere-Fort Armstrong, and Carroll Jo Daviess Chapters of Daughters of the American Revolution (D. A. R.) have been invited.
Children of the American Revolution is an organization of children who can prove their lineage from a person who gave aid or fought during the Revolutionary War. Callahan is a 16-year member of the group from Moline, IL. He descends from Elijah Bailey, Lt. David Holman, Captain James Greenwood, David Kenyon, and several other Revolutionary soldiers whose descendants settled around Thomson, IL. His heritage also includes three Mayflower passengers.
Callahan picked a project to bring attention to more than 10,000 riders of the Orphan Train that were placed in Illinois homes from 1854-1929. Many children were placed in Carroll, Whiteside, and Lee Counties. His three-times-great-grandfather, Richard Wilhelm Groharing, was one of them.
Callahan researched his ancestor. He found that young Richard began his Illinois life after being left in a New York City orphanage with two brothers. William was placed in the Thomson-Fulton, IL, area; Edward was placed in the Amboy, IL, area. Each was allowed to keep his last name and to keep in touch with Illinois siblings. This is significant, because it allowed Bryn to do a background search. The sisters remained in New York with their mother. He speculated this was, because the mother could teach daughters how to sew or cook and earn a living. Boys would be able to learn farm skills in the Midwest.
Callahan is eager to promote the history of the Orphan Train, and he seeks other descendants who had relatives on the trains.
During his term, Callahan will lead 600+ Illinois C.A.R. members in funding a commissioned bronze bench sculpture with an informational plaque, to be installed at the Amboy Railroad Depot Museum. Two bronze children wait at the depot for possible sponsors to take them home to a new life. Bryn believes this is the first Orphan Train memorial in Northwestern Illinois.
“Bring a Buck for Bryn’s Bench” if you wish to assist in his State-wide fundraiser. The cost of the bench and plaque is approximately $5000. About half has been raised since April from the sale of lapel pins, mobile phone pops, and tote bags and from donations.