I am of no help to Peggy, can someone on the
list help ?
Thanks,
Mike in Ky
peggy peggy(a)zoomnet.net wrote:
In researching my family history I came across some information in a
journal and letters written by my great uncle
John Neu. He states that after his father, Joseph Neu, died
in Scioto Co. Ohio in 1878, he, his four siblings and mother
came to Richmond, Indiana and resided at the Wernle Orphans
Home. This facility was started by the Evangelical Luthern
Synod in January 1879 by Rev. Wm. Niebuhr if his information
is correct. John and his brother Frank were among the first
orphans admitted there. Three other siblings and his mother,
Barbara came there to live also in January 1890. Barbara
worked at the facility so she could be close to her children as
she was unable to raise them after her husband's untimely
death. One of the siblings, Karl Neu, was the first child to die
at the home. He was sickly from birth and died at the age of
three. The Neu family lived there for about six years. Karl's
grave is in a cemetery located near the Wernle Home.
The journal states that the Home was a large three story
building with a basement, located on a hill that was called
Rose Hill or Rose Mound. Before the church bought the
building it was a medical institution or sanitarium.
Do you know if this building still stands and are you familiar
with the cemetery. My family and I would like to visit Richmond and the
cemetery. Do you know of anyone I could
obtain any futher information from. I appreciate any assistance you can
offer.
Peggy Neu Pollitt