Children’s Home
Taken from “The Headlight” no date
given.
Submitted by: Robert Kingrey
The best and noblest deeds are those of
charity, and Ironton can well be proud of a charitable
institution in the Lawrence County Children’s Home, which has
provided care and protection for hundreds of poor children who have
grown up into useful, honorable citizens of the community.
This notable charity was established in
1874, and in 1878 the present cite was purchased. The idea of caring
for the young and helpless of the county assumed a definite form at
a meeting held February 4th, 1874, in Spencer
Chapel. The subject well handled in a lecture by Dr.
Ryers, and a number of public-spirited citizens subscribed funds
by which method the Home was maintained until 1878, when it became a
public institution. Miss Mary E. Vincent was the first matron
and she continued in the position for six years. He successors have
been Miss Della Tipton, Mrs. E. Grant, and Mrs. M. E. Carpenter,
Mrs. F. Osterhouse, Miss Lola Zell and the incumbent,
Miss Sarah F. Johnson.
The institution at present is caring
for 65 children ranging in age from one to fourteen years, and
during its existence has cared for 696 children. The location is
beautiful and the appointments the best possible, the children
having advantage of the large grounds, and the public schools and
churches. Dr. Lester Keller is the physician and the
trustees are O. Otten, J.O. Yates, J.N. Thomas and J.L.
Anderson.
