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Sandy Ryan

Soldier's Orphans Home - Madison, WI


Even though the weather has been hot and humid, my friend and I had not been out cemetery walking for some time. I had never been to nearby Forest Lawn Cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin so off we went!


The cemetery is huge and located right in downtown Madison. I guess I knew there were Soldier's Orphans Homes in WI, but have not had the occasion to research them.

In 1873, the orphans home memorial was placed to rest with known and unknown soldiers. There are several tiny stones on either side of it bearing initials of children buried there. I've been unable to find information about the children. Here are their names:

*Caroline A. Sawyer: d.1867; age 8

*Charles S. Thompson: d. 7/14/1869; age 6

*William T. Blunt: d. 5/5/1869;age 12

*Emma Billow: d. 2/12/1870; age 11

*Cornelia A. Rouse: d.10/27/1866; age 7

*Effie M. McElwain: d. 10/28/1866; age 6

*Frances E. Woods: d. 9/15/1866; age 5

*Matilda Stearns: d. 11-10-1866; age 9

The information in this clip is part of the Forest Lawn Cemetery signboard. Please have a visit to their website for more historical information and burial records. If you are unable to visit in person, take a virtual tour!



More information is available at:




For me, cemeteries are a link to people who walked before us. I will continue to search for the Forest Lawn orphans so their stories are known again. Stay tuned!




We are a small sheep rescue farm in southern Wisconsin. If you enjoyed this article, please consider a purchase from our sheep's website !

Homestead Wool & Gift Farm ...where sheep may safely graze.

ryan3@tds.net

*please contact me with any corrections for this article*

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