UNDER STATE CONTROL The eleventh general assembly in 1866 acted favorably upon the petitions presented looking to change in management of the Soldiers' Orphans' home.  First established by what was virtually a private corporation and later splendidly maintained as a benevolent institution the time seemed ripe for the home to be numbered among the recognized state institutions supported by taxation.  This was done, and an act passed by which it came under the support and control of the state.  The legislature named a board of trustees consisting of one member from the state at large, and one from each congressional district.  An appropriation of $25,000 was voted and provision made for a tax levy.  The main institution was located at Davenport with branches at Cedar Falls and Glenwood.  At this time the number of children in these three homes numbered 864.  In 1875 the homes were consolidated into one institution at Davenport. >From the time when the care of soldiers' orphans was assumed by the state the Davenport institution grew and prospered.  Better buildings replaced the whitewashed barracks, and all features of the army camp were obliterated.  Handsome structures of pressed brick came into existence, administration building, cottages, hospital, laundry, machine shop, tailor shop, schools.  The state gave loving care and guardianship to the children of those who proved themselves "the bravest of the brave" and trusted their little ones to the keeping of those who survived the struggle. The home has been visited by disastrous fires-one in July, 1886, and again the next year when lightening consumed the main building with a loss of $50,000.  The handsome chapel which serves as an assembly hall when it is desired to call all the children together was finished an dedicated in April, 1901.  In this chapel is located the handsome $3,000 pipe organ, gift of Governor Larrabee, a member of the State Board of Control at the time this body was established to manage and conduct all state institutions of a benevolent and corrective character. 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