Ohio Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Orphans’ Home/
Ohio Veterans’ Children’s Home
1869-1995
Our History
In 1861, a law was passed establishing a tax to support soldiers’ families, but the funds collected were not enough to meet the need.
Ohio Governor David Tod responded in 1862 by encouraging soldiers to contribute part of their pay to a “Relief Fund” for their families. Between 1861 and 1865, several million dollars accumulated in the Relief Fund, but even so, many children lost their homes and ended up in county infirmaries. By 1869, veterans protested this neglect. In 1870, Governor Hayes, in his second term, reported that more than 300 soldiers’ orphans were in infirmaries, and 2,000 more were homeless.
Eventually, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a federation the veterans formed after the close of the Civil War to foster comradeship, financed the purchase of a home
for veterans’ orphans in the city of Xenia. Xenia was chosen because people from Greene County had long been interested in the plight of the veterans' families, and Rev. Prugh was thus raising funds for the project for some time. Rev. Prugh was thus referred to as the "Father" of the movement to establish a home. Additionally, George Collier was credited with being the first to suggest the idea of a home to the GAR.
A temporary location was established in town, and 100 acres of farmland south/southeast of town were purchased for the permanent location. Children began arriving at the home in December 1869, and in August of 1870, they moved to the farm. Responsibility eventually passed from the GAR to the State of Ohio, and the state officially adopted the children.
The first child to enter the Home under the Ohio State Board of Managers was 14-year-old Henry M. Hall, who arrived on April 23, 1870. No record is available as to when he left the Home.
“…to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan”
~ Abraham Lincoln
