THE ORPHANS REACH DAVENPORT The steamer Keithsburg arrived from Keokuk, November 16, 1865, having on board 150 orphans of Iowa soldiers.  Previous to their arrival the comparatively new barracks of Camp Kinsman on the present site of the home had been made ready for their reception.  The barracks contained beds, bedding and much other equipment that could be utilized and the home was furnished by the liberal contribution of patriotic citizens of Davenport, the amount running into the thousands of dollars.  Upon the arrival of the boat breakfast was served in the Christian chapel, now Hibernian hall, on Brady street near Fifth street by the sympathetic ladies of the city.  Afterward the party went to Camp Kinsman and the Davenport branch of the institution was established.  Mrs. Wittenmeyer consented to remain at the home as matron and this insured the perfect success of the enterprise.  M. B. Cochran of Iowa City was made superintendent. The first superintendent of the home while it was at Farmington was named Parvin.  This was a temporary arrngement and he was soon succeeded by Rufus Hubbard who was superintendenet until the removal of the home to Davenport in 1865. In 1867 Superintendent Cochran and Matron Wittenmeyer resigned and were succeeded by Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Pierce of Fairfield as superintendent and matron.  Mr. Pierce resigned in 1886 and was succeeded by Gen. E. C. Litchfield who served less than eleven months.  Mr. Pierce was recalled and managed the home for eleven months.  Principal John R. Bowman was called from School No. 1 to the superintendency and served two years.  He was followed by Dr. W. E. Whitney who resigned in 1893 and was followed by J. H. Lukens of Muscatine who served two years relinquishing the position to M. T. Gass who held it until his death in May, 1904.   H. W. Kellogg was acting superintendent until June 8th of that year when Frank J. Sessions took charge of the largest family in Iowa. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L