Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Polo, Ogle, Illinois, United States
Surnames/tags: One_Place_Studies United States House_History

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Contents 1 Peek Home Orphanage 1.1 General Information 1.2 Timeline 1.3 Peek Orphanage Census Numbers 1.4 Residents 1.5 Staff Members 1.6 Photos from Edna Baker's Collection 1.7 Wish/To Do List 1.8 Sources

Peek Home Orphanage

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General Info	Timeline	Census Numbers
Residents	Staff Members	Edna Baker's Pictures
Who Links to this Page	Map of Peek Home Profiles	Wish/To Do List

General Information

The records that are in existence are in the possession of the

Polo Historical Society

113 N Franklin Ave

Polo, IL 61064

They were transcribed by the Historical Society in 2022. Below is a listing of known residents and staff. More information about each person may be available through the Polo Historical Society.

Franklin Frederick Peek (1832-1905) & Martha (Eaton) Peek (1843-1912) donated their land for an orphanage and the Methodist Church ran the Peek Home Orphanage from 1916-1961. Nearly 300 children were housed there over those years.

To the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the described real estate, formerly known as the "Old Peek Homestead." I wish that an orphanage be established there, known as the Peek Orphanage, and I direct all income derived from said land, after the payments, go to my sister Mary E. Savage and (sister-in-law) Melona Peek. And, after the payment, enough money go to the orphanage for repairs and improvements.

If the society shall not want to establish said orphanage, or fail to maintain it, then the property shall revert to my estate and that half be equally divided between my heirs, and the other half equally divided between my late husband's heirs.^[1]

Children residents at that time came from destitute homes with perhaps a parent no longer living. Some children spent a short time in residence and other spent the rest of their childhood years at the Peek Orphanage. Also, the majority of children came from, as Elwin Matthews, Director, put it, "the fourth great 'faith' in this country - the unchurched."

Children helped with the farming, chores, garden, canning, cooking and cleaning of the home. As a result, they developed good work ethics and they were proud of what they accomplished. Also, they had good memories of life in the country.

When they graduated from high school many area people helped them with college expenses, jobs and their living arrangements. Nearby communities also had entertained children in their homes over weekends, holidays and during the summer.

With changing times, there were many children from homes lacking parenting skills. They were unwanted, abused, uncared for and sadly lacking educational skills.

WikiTree Profiles that use this source

Timeline

• Fall 1838 - Franklin's father, John Peek bought 200 acres in Woosung Township and began improving the property.
• Aug 1864 - Franklin's father, John Peek, died and Frank Peek took over running the farm and taking care of his mother, Lucretia (Lamb) Peek until her death in 1873.
• April 1874, Frank married Martha "Mattie" E. Eaton in the John Deere Home in Moline, IL. At the time of their marriage, Mattie was 31 and John was 42. Frank and Mattie lived in Polo until 1879 when they moved to the farm.
• 1879 - Frank bought out his siblings and became sole owner of the farm.
• Frank and Martha built the new farm home on the Peek property and never had any children of their own, although Martha entertained the neighborhood kids.
• May 18, 1905 - Franklin died unexpectedly in his barn (age 73) and Martha moved back to the City of Polo, having purchased the Kreidler House on W. Mason Street. She died in the garden there while picking strawberries. Frank and Martha were both interred in Fairmount Cemetery, Polo, IL.
• June 17, 1912 - Martha "Mattie" E. Eaton (age 69), left the Peek property to the Women's Missionary Society of the Methodist Church,. Although she and Frank were devout Presbyterians, they had been friends of the late Katherine Bassett, Director of the Board of the Methodist School of Navajo Indians in NM.
• Martha's will specified that a children's orphanage had to be in place with kids by March 1, 1916 or the property went back to the Peek Family.
• The Peek Family contested the will and the case went all the way to the Supreme Court.^[2]
• March 1, 1916 - 151 acres - Farmhouse Operation founded March 1, 1916. Capacity: 26 children. The first two children arrived at the farmhouse from Lake Bluff, IL via train plus a team and bobsled.
• 1920 Census shows 11 Children with William & Iola McLain as Superintendent.^[3]
• 1927 April - Plans were started to Improve the Peek Facilities with a new building. The plan was to "carry out the cottage plan at the orphanage" rather than have just one large building.^[4]
• 1930 Census shows 15 Children & 3 Employees ^[5]. with George & Bess Slater as Head of the Home.
• 1930 - the original farmhouse was moved back from the knoll on which it stood so that a new three-story brick building could be built that would accommodate 25 children and a staff of five. Later the third story was utilized for additional space. The farmhouse was used as as dormitory for boys and was later lost to the elements.
• 1940 Census shows 37 Students & 6 Employees^[6]with Grace Brander as Superintendent with Laura Robbins as Old Girl Matron, Viola Leese as Young Girl Matron, Sophia Machotka (1907-1951) as Dietitian and Wilbur & Georgette Kelly as Farm Manager & Matron with the10 boy residents.
• 1950 Census shows ^[7][8] 28 Children and 10 employees with Catherine Frey as Superintendent
• 1961- The child care portion closed because times were changing and their programs would have needed to change, additional buildings would be needed due to the beginning of the foster care program.
• 1963 - The name changed from Peek Orphanage to "Peek Home" to accommodate retreats, group meetings, day camps and overnight visits of children from Chicago. This was not enough to keep "Peek Home" in operation.
• July 1, 1973 - 25 acres were sold. It's been a private residence since 1973.

Peek Orphanage Census Numbers

	Children	Staff
1920	11	2
1930	15	3
1940	37	6
1950	28	10

Residents

Josephine Abbott (1912-)

Roy Abbott (1906-1924)

Wayne C Abbott (1908-1984)

Aldaz, Anita "Annie"

Aldaz, Elizabeth "Betty"

Aldaz, Jessie Arnold

Betty Allen (1924-2008)

Ralph Edward Allen (1925-2009)

William Gene Allen (1928-1993)

Amesse, Henry

Herschell Anderson (1910-1975)

Andrews, Carolyn

Andrews, Gene

Arnold, Mabel Louise

Leona Aten (1910-1924)

Edna Baker

George Baker (1913-1989)

David Lee Baldridge (1945-2006)

Helen Bartley (1939-1988)

Clarence Alvin Beebe (1931-2015)

Ilene Gertrude (Beebe) Archer (1934-2018)

Richard Earl Beebe (1928-2007)

Bernaeckt, Millie

Bernaeckt, Terssia

Marvin Norman Berogan (1920-1975)

Ruby Berogan (1922-1975)

Black, Joan Aileen

Alice Marie Blurton

James John "Jim" Blurton (1927-2001)

James E "Jim" Bordis (1943-1992)

John R Bordis (1946-2008)

Albert Carl Bowman (1924-1939)

Mary Louise Bowman (1922-)

Boyle, Nell Lee (Jennings)

Brown, Donna Jean

Brown, Gerold Leslie

Brown, Robert Clifton

Sandra Kay Brown (1941-1994)

Amelia Ann Bruce (1938-2014)

Bobby Lou Bruce (1933-2001)

Brunaw, Evangeline

Burgett, Everett Roy

Burgner, Fred

James Burgner (1934-2020)

Nola Belle Burgner (1938-2013)

Campbell, Janet

Stewart Campbell (1947-2018)

Capes, Leon Gene

Capes, Norma Lorrain

Raymond Edward Capes (1939-2017)

Chandler, Barbara Jean

Doris Ann Chandler (1939-1989)

Chandler, Lois Marian

Christiansen, June Ann

Clark, Donald

Clifford, Wallace

Conway, Robert

Wendell S Cortright (1923-2017)

Danny Cox (1944-2019)

Cox, John

Patricia A Cox (1940-2015)

Ray Cox (1938-2005)

Kenneth Crosby (1917-1998)

Crouse, Martin Harold

Charles William Darfler (1927-1994)

George W Darfler (1930-1979)

Irma Jean (Darfler) Holt (1932-2001) or Imogene

Davidson, Robert

Judith Marie De Clark (1942-1999)

Weston Edward Disbrow Jr (1941-2005)

Downing, Richard

Downing, Robert

Donald Joe "Donny" Eddy (1931-1979)

William Delbert "Bill" Eddy (1930-1955)

Eisele, Philip Ray

John Elmes (1944-1985)

Elmes, Philip

Everly, Kenard Lee

Harold Faulknor (1937-2011)

Leila (Faulknor) Potts (1941-2022)

Figolah, Arlene - Her probable mother is Dorothy (Figolah) Gain

Allan Fisher (1920-)

Howard Fisher (1916-)

Fleming, Bruce

Daisy Freeland (1912-1981)

Mildred Freeland (1915-1998)

Alva Albert "Albert" Frey (1937-2014)

Bernice Ann Frey (1938-1995)

Delbert G Frey (1942-1998)

Keith Floyd Frey (1936-2019)

Lester William Frey (1941-2002).

Mary Jane Frey (1943-1994)

Melvin Frey (1943-1964)

Roberta Frey (1944-)

Sharon L Frey (1945-2007)

Betty Jean Genandt (1943-1994)

Joseph D Genandt (1944-1966)

Walter Giffrow (1936-2018)

Giffow, Warren Alan

Gillihan, Claude Howard

Gillihan, Norma Jean

Goldschwitz, John

Goldschwitz, Joseph

Goldschwitz, Paul

Marilyn Edna Grams (1934-2001)

Richard William Grams (1932-2015)

Grant, John

Grant, Richard

Grant, Robert

Green, Lila

Green, Milton

Green, Nancy Lee

Greenfield, John "Johnie"

Greenfield, Mildred

Grimes, Jay - mother - Salina (Grimes) Lorenz

Grimes, Marvin Ray - mother - Salina (Grimes) Lorenz

Earl Hambley (1914-2002)

Hancock, Joann

Hancock, John

Mary Ann Harvel (1926-2012)

Rose Lee Harvel (1922-1991)

Viola Harvel (1928-1994)

Eugene Hayenga (1946-2018)

Hayenga, Marlene - father - Lucas Mason Hayenga (1885-1975)

Hayenga, Guy- father - Lucas Mason Hayenga (1885-1975)

Henry, George

Hilger, John David

Jeanne Fay Hobbs (1941-2018)

Hobbs, Sandra Lee

Hoffman, Charles Edward, Jr.

Holsclaw, Raymond Lee

Grant Hornberger (1914-1980)

Donald Howard (1931-1999)

Goldie Irvin (1914-2005)

Helen Jamison (1911-1978)

Mildred Jamison (1913-1981)

Johannsen, Charles Robert "Chuck"

Johannsen, Floyd LeRoy

Johnson, Bernice

Donna Johnson - Father - Cecil Johnson (1905-)

Johnson, Elvis Virgil, Jr. - Father Elvis Virgil Johnson, Sr (1904-1975)

Johnson, Jeanette Alene - Father - Cecil Johnson (1905-)

Johnson, Joan Eleanor

Johnson, Joyce

Johnson, Joyce Ellen

Johnson, Kenneth Marvin - Father - Cecil Johnson (1905-)

Johnson, Otto Junior

Johnson, Stanley Gail - Father - Cecil Johnson (1905-)

Kim, Sundra

Jesse Pauline King (1940-2017)

John King (1941-2004)

Kenneth Klaas (1916-1981)

Stanley Klaas (1912-2006)

Kohle, Eugene"Gene"

Shirley Lamont (1940-2007)

Lance, Betty Edith

Stella M Larkins (1944-1999)

Lents, Gary Kent

Leona (Lestikow) Beidler (1910-1994)

Levey, James W. "Jim"

Lewis, Virginia (Bomker)

Lloyd, James

Kenneth Lookabaugh (1911-1992)

Joyce Eileen Loomis (1930-1993)

Lugo, Celia

Lundberg, Donald - mother Madeline Arretha (Brokaw) Lundberg (1894-)

Markow, Penka

Markow, Stanka

Marshall, Frances

Marshall, Frances

Marshall, Pauline

Dorothy Lee (Marth) Hamilton (1933-2002)

Marth, Kenneth

Viola Lucille (Marth) Triplett (1931-2001)

Gloria Madeline Martin (1931-2011) "Dolly"

Roberta Lucille Martin (1933-2009) "Bobbie"

Lowveda (McDonald) Wittenauer (1920-1997)

McKee, Elizabeth

Metzger, Wilhelmina

Milan, Jean

Millan, Joan

Donald Harry Miller (1930-2006)

Doris Jane (Miller) Epperson (1933-2005)

Shirley Mae (Miller) Littlejohn (1936-2013)

Miller, Johnny

Mitchell, Carol Erin - mother Wanda Fern (Lumm) Mitchell (1916-1988)

Mitchell, David Ennis - mother Wanda Fern (Lumm) Mitchell (1916-1988)

Morrison, Cecilia Pearl "Cecel"

Morrison, Lyle Alfred

Morrison, Peggy Lee

Morrison, William Franklin "Bill"

Barbara (Mullen) Fisher (1929-)

Stanley H Mullen (1930-)

Ronald Eugene Mullen (1927-2010).

Mullins, James

Eunice Rhoda (Musser) Lane (1924-2014)

Loretta Anita (Musser) O'Toole (1929-1999)

Margaret (Musser) Klyver (abt.1927-2008)

Wesley Harold Musser (1926-1945)

Nelson, Thomas "Tommy"

Newberry, Earl

Oberg, Charles T.

Oberg, Genevieve M.

Kenneth Lloyd Osman (1944-1994)

Palomar, Frances

Pederseen, William

Donald Walter Phelps (1936-1952)

Irene Ann (Phelps) Hays (1938-2020)

John Phelps (1941-2011)

Leslie William Phelps (1939-1998)

Pitts, Mary Alice

Plum, Harold

Plum, Leroy

Irvin Pollard (1914-1997)

Victor Pollard (1915-1977)

Pope, Mervin Clarence

Powell, Dora Emogene

Powell, Goldie Mae

Powers, Gloria

Powers, Leland Dale, Jr. "Dale"

Puffer, Patricia "Patsy"

Pytte, Shirley A.

Riggin, Richard Lyle

Rosenbalm, Doris

Rosenwinge, Terrance Eugene

Rozalski, Dennis

Sadler, Leona

Sanburn, Esther

Sanburn, Ralph

Schneiderwindt, Caroline

Schneiderwindt, George

Schneiderwindt, Russell

Schnell. Gladys

Shepherd, Glee Elizabeth

Shoemaker, Lila L.

Shook, Eleanor

Shrove, Helen Marie

Shrove, Violet J.

Smith, Eugene Leroy

Smith, Helen

Smith, John Stanley

Smith, Rosalee "Rosie"

Aretta M (Smull) Johnson (1925-2016)

Delores Arlene (Smull) Beyer (1928-2008)

Smull, Gloria Jean

Frances V Snyder (1913-)

Speelman, Buela F.

Speelman, Sylvia

Springer, Darlene Dawn

Springer, Jack Wesley

Springer, Joan Curree

"Springer, Patricia Ruth""Patsy"" "

Springer, Richard Darwin "Dick"

Steffa, Beverly Jean

Steffa, Roger Willis

Sunderman, Dayne

Deane Hardin Sunderman (1922-1999)

Rose Marie (Sunderman) Redmond (1924-2003)

Switzer, Barbetta Virginia

Switzwer, Chester William

Switzwer, Chester William

Switzer, Edward Lee

Switzer, Opal Marcella

Switzer, Velma Mae

Thomas, Barbara (legal name Weldman)

Thompson, David

Thompson, Donald Noel

Tregoning, Blanche

Tregoning, Charlotte

Tregoning, Dorothy

Edna Tuttle (1921-)

Sophia "Sophie" Tuttle (1915-)

Verna Tuttle (1918-2010)

Utech, Velma

Vanderlinden, Karen

Wakenight, Gregory

Wallace, Bessie Marie

Wannow, Ted

Weaver, Harold Jack

Weaver, Helen

Weisfuss, Beverly Ruth

Weisfuss, Diana

Wheeler, Dixie

Wheeler, Edna Earle "Eddy"

Wheeler, Frances

Wheeler, Marian Elizabeth "Elizabeth" "Becky"

Wilkinson, Beverly

Wilkinson, Donna

Williams, Chloe E.

Williams, Jean L.

Woods, Maxine, Charlotte

Woods, Clifford Eugene

Yellow Berry, Madeline"Glory"

Yellow Berry, Adeline "Happy

Young, Della Fay

Young, Ellen

Young, Mildred

Yount, Gene

Yount, Kenneth

Staff Members

Agazzi, Miss Louise

Bakehouse, Eileen

Beckerdite, Chester

Beckerdite, Mrs. Wanda

Bollinger, Miss Gladys

Box, Mr. & Mrs. Wandie

Brake, Miss Jennie

Brandes, Miss Grace E.

Bristol, Mrs. Maeed F.

Brown, Mrs. Juanita

Burman, Mrs. Elva

Burman, Mrs. Richard

Caldwell, Mr. Frank

Calkins, Eileen

Clark, Elva Jane

Clarke, Mr. & Mrs.

Cole, Mrs. W. R.

Cole, W. R.

Conlin, Mrs. Katherine G.

Corneliusson, Miss Anna

Cripe, Irene

Crooks, Jane

Cross, Evelyn

Dreeschesen, Cecil

Durham, Mrs. Grace

Elsaesser,, Mr. John

Ennis, Mrs. V. E.

Farmer, Mr. Calvin

Farmer, Mrs. Calvin

Finkle, Mrs., Mae

Foguson, Mr. & Mrs.

Ford, Mr. & Mrs.

Forester, Bill

Frey, Miss Catherine

Funk, Miss Grace

Ganswind, Miss Clarice

Gargentiel, Mr. Fernando

Gatz, Miss Avis

Gravenstein, Mr. & Mrs.

Green, Miss Edna

Grubic, Mrs. Mary

Grumert, Miss Ruth

Hammond, Thelma

Harms, Miss Frances

Hayenga, Lucas "Luke"

Heatherington, Irene

Heintzelman, Marian

Hinkle, Mrs. Elizabeth

Higby, Miss Nora

Hollinshed, Miss Marjorie

Huling, Mrs. Lena G.

Joss, Betty Ann

Kellogg, Miss Helen

Georgetta Kelley "Aunt Georgie"(1880-1970)

Wilbur O Kelley "Uncle Wilbur" (1881-1960)

Kylander, Miss Harriett

Lamson, Mary

Lauterbach, Mrs. Helen

Viola Estella Leese (1885-1965)

Loomes, Mrs. Mildred

Miss Sophia Machotka (1907-1951)

Maust, Willard

Mathews, Mr. Elwin

Mathews, Mrs. Ruth Virlea Burns

McCarter, Miss Iva

McKeane, Miss

William Edgar McLain (1876-1926)

Ida McLain (1877-)

Miller, Mr. Paul

Mitcham, Mr. Ballard

Mitcham, Mrs. Hazel

Mitcham, Mr. P. L.

Moon, Miss

Moore, Miss Janet Kay

Mosier, Marilyn

Morgan, Jean

Murphree, Evelyn Virginia

Neighbor, Josephine

Newman, Miss Grace

O'Brien, Pat

Panghorn, Mr. & Mrs. Halsey M.

Perry, Mr. F. B.

Perry, Mrs. F. B.

Pomocnik, Mrs. Ingeborg

Poole, Rosalee

Price, Levon

Profert, Jenne

Quaco, Mrs.

Radloff, Mrs.

Reeder, Anne

Rippey, Hazel

Robbins, Miss Laura

Robinson, Margaret

Ruble, Miss Anna Mae

Scholl, Miss Edith

George Albert Slater (1875-1947)

Bessie (Merchant) Slater (1879-1947)

Smith, Rosie

Smith, Ruth

Snyder, Miss Lucille

Sowers, Laura E. "Bonnie" Wheeler See Staff Children for more

Spears, Mrs.

Spence, Catherine

Springer, Richard

Standard, Mrs. Mary

Stowe, Ruth

Talbot, Marilyn

Tallman, Mr. Alan

Tiffany, Mrs. Alice

Tiffany, Mr. Victor

Uecker Miss Joyce

Walldorff, Joanne

Wemmer, Miss Lucinda

Williams, Mrs. Hazel

Woodhead, Mr. Harry

Woodhead, Mrs. Myrtle

Woods, Miss Maxine

Yerkey, Mrs. Mary Carol

Photos from Edna Baker's Collection

Orphanage kids at Lowell Park on launch 1927	Francis S., Bobby C. and Edna Baker 1921	George Baker tending goats 1927 or 1928
George and Edna Baker taken soon after their arrival at Orphanage 1921, ages 8 and 10	Herschel Anderson and George Baker 1921	Orphanage boys 1928" (George Baker standing at right of photo)
Orphanage kids 1926" (George and Edna Baker top row left)	Orphanage kids (undated, probably 1927	Orphanage girls 1928 (Edna Baker, top row left)
Edna Baker 1926

Wish/To Do List

Wish List/To Do List for this Page:

• Change resident list to a table to include dates in the facility.
• Continue making profiles for residents & connecting to the Main Tree

Sources

1. ↑ Probate: "Illinois, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1772-1999". Probate Records, Records of Wills, Related Records, Ca. 1838-1940; Author: Illinois. County Court (Ogle County); Probate Place: Ogle. Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 9048 #3494095 (accessed 5 June 2022). Frank F Peek probate.
2. ↑ https://cite.case.law/ill/293/337/ Caselaw Access Project Webpage on this Litigation
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJCM-GTN : 1 February 2021), William E McLain, 1920.
4. ↑ Plan to Improve Peek Facilities with a New Home, Page 1 of Tri-County Press, published in Polo, Illinois on Thursday, April 7th, 1927, https://polopublic.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&by=1927&bdd=1920&d=01011927-12311927&e=blanche%20ports&m=between&ord=e1&fn=tri_county_press_usa_illinois_polo_19270407_english_1&df=1&dt=5
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XS1N-D79 : accessed 26 June 2022), George A Slater, Woosung, Ogle, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 36, sheet 2A, line 3, family 26, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 546; FHL microfilm 2,340,281
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWCR-XJB : 8 January 2021), Wilbur Kelly in household of Georgette Kelly, Woosung Township, Ogle, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 71-38, sheet 6A, line 33, family 78, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 863.
7. ↑ 1950 Census:"1950 United States Federal Census"
   United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Woosung, Ogle, Illinois; Roll: 4619; Sheet Number: 71; Enumeration District: 71-50
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 62308 #223323532 (accessed 26 June 2022)
   Catherine E Frey (45) in Woosung, Ogle, Illinois, USA. Born in New York.
8. ↑ 1950 Census: "United States 1950 Census"
   citing Page: 71; Line: 1;
   FamilySearch Record: 6X1G-BXHQ (accessed 14 July 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QHN-PQHW-NSCS-R
   Catherine E Frey (45), single senen, Superintendent Of Childronics Home, in household of Catherine E Frey (45 years) in Woosung Township, Ogle, Illinois, United States. Born in New York.

• The house that the Peeks Built as published in The Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL) on 9 Jun 1985, page 320.

• Polo Lions Club Announces Symphony Program July 18 as published in The Lanark Gazette (Lanark, IL) on 15 Jul 1948, page 1.