Harford Soldier's Orphan School

09/02/2026

OPEN HOUSE AT HARFORD SOLDIER'S ORPHAN SCHOOL - September 12th, 9 AM to 2 PM

The Harford Historical Society will sponsor an OPEN HOUSE at the historical Soldiers’ Orphan School, 2238 Orphan School Road, Kingsley, PA. This event is held inside the original Franklin Academy building (1830-1865) which became a school for children orphaned during the Civil War (Soldiers Orphan School 1865-1902)). This event is free and open to the public.

ALSO offered for this event are local historical books for SALE, regarding Harford, Brooklyn, Clifford and other local sites of interest. Learn about the amazing history of our area!! ALSO offered is a Bake Sale and a Used book sale; proceeds from the book sale are used for maintenance of this old remaining building (Hardcovers – 50 cents and Paperbacks – 25 cents, cash only).

08/31/2026

Here is a Harford Academy grauates who was the most active underground railroad conductors in the northeastern part of the state
Leonard Batchelor:

Rev. Leonard Batchelor was born in West Sutton, Massachusetts on March 18, 1810. He moved with his parents, Jonas (1788-1818) and Rebekah Crossman Batchelor (1792-1864) to Abington, Luzerne (now Lackawanna) county, Pennsylvania during his early childhood. The family was poor, and the struggle for existence in a new country was soon intensified by the death by drowning of the father, leaving the mother with her three children; Leonard, Abner, and Rebecca, all in desperate circumstances. Most nobly the mother met the emergency, gaining the respect and esteem of the community by her homely virtues and beautiful Christian character. Further sorrow came to the little family in the tragic death of Abner, by the falling of a tree, the felling of which he was watching with boyish curiosity. Leonard devoted his energies to helping his mother, and gaining the limited education the country schools afforded. Some of his other early education was obtained under those Faithful educators, the Richardson family, at the Franklin Academy, later called by it familiar name, The Harford Academy, from which he graduated between the years of 1830-1837.
As he grew into sturdy young manhood, the construction of the Erie Railroad and the Delaware & Hudson Canal afforded opportunity for the obtaining of ready money, a scarce article in the back woods in which he lived. Leaving home, he labored with pick, shovel, and wheelbarrow on these great works, thus helping those at home and himself, as he could not have otherwise done. These enterprises completed, he returned home, and having a mercantile bent, soon drifted to Dundaff, Susquehanna County, then one of the rising towns of the new country.
His mother had in time married David Stanton. He soon became a valued assistant in the store of his employer, and developed the business capacity so marked in his later days. The experiences of his life, while laboring on canal and railroad, and for a time after coming to Dundaff, were not such as to promote his highest moral good, but, in answer to his mother's prayers, the "great change" came in his life, and he became “earnest in pursuit of righteousness.” He had by this time arrived at the age of 25 years or more, and feeling an impulse toward the ministry, he struggled through two years at Amherst College (1836-1837), and one year at Union Seminary, but becoming convinced that he was not fitted for the ministry, he gave up the idea, and turned his attention again to business, believing that he could do more efficient work for the cause of righteousness as a business man than as a minister.

Returning to Abington, he engaged in mercantile pursuits, his ability and high moral standing leading men of means to gladly embark in various enterprises with him. While there, in 1844, he helped to found the Madison Academy in Waverley, with Rev. Gilbert S. Bailey as principal. Rev. Bailey was a schoolmate of his, and graduated between 1837 and 1840. (His short Biography is in this book) This was a private school which enjoyed high regard and taught a rigorous curriculum to boys and girls. Students came from all over Pennsylvania to attend the Madison Academy; some of its graduates became judges and attorneys. Perhaps the two men remembered fondly the school where they learned so much, both as scholars, and as Christians. In 1841 he married Hannah Stone, daughter of one of the most honorable and influential families in the community, the father, Lemuel Stone, having watched his progress from a poor boy to an influential position. She was born in 1816. For twenty-five years he carried on various lines of business, and having secured a modest competence he retired with the purpose of devoting his time and energies to church work.

He had united with Presbyterian Church when living in Dundaff, and, feeling that there was a field for that denomination in Abington, he was chiefly influential in establishing a church there, to which he devoted much time and money during the whole of his active life. He was well known in the Presbytery and Synod, and was a frequent delegate to general assemblies. He was, however, generous in the support of churches of other denominations, as was highly esteemed by all Christians.

Always the friend of the down trodden and oppressed, he early took active interest in politics, and as a Whig, Free Soiler and Republican, (all conservative parties) took earnest part in various campaigns, though never holding office. His activity during the Fremont campaign of 1856 and the Lincoln campaign of 1860 had much to do with the local success of the Republican Party.

In 1849, Leonard opened a general store with Dr. Andrew Phelps Bedford and both men were a large part of the Underground Railway and hid runaway slaves in their basements. Leonard was a "conductor," helping lead escaped slaves from Wilkes-Barre to Montrose, on their way to New York and Canada. During the Civil War he was active in encouraging enlistments, especially among the colored people, in which race he had always taken marked interest, and whose champion he had even been. As agent of the Underground Railway, he assisted scores of Negroes (As they were called during the Civil War) on the way to liberty, harboring them in his own home, when to do so was at risk of life and property.

As a result of the life of hard work and careless exposure, the infirmities of age early deprived him of active participation in the affairs of life, and after years of discomfort he died in 1889, leaving an honored name from a life spent largely in the interest of his fellowmen, even to the neglect of his own.

Of his children two reached maturity; the younger, Rev. Ward Batchelor (1850-1887) dying in the Mexico City in 1887, and the elder, Joseph C. Batchelor (1847-1924) was a resident of the City of Buffalo, NY. Leonard and Hannah had the following children; 1. Della, B., born in 1842; died in infancy, 2. Lemuel, 1844; died in infancy. 3. Ward Batchelor, 1850-1887, 4. Joseph Chase, who was born on February 28, 1847 and died on January 8, 1924; he had married Sarah Beidler, and had one son, Ward A. Batchelor, of Moylan, PA.
He died April 17, 1889, at the age of 79 as a resident of Waverly, Pennsylvania. His wife died on August 31, 1873, at the age of 57. Resting with them is their son Ward. They rest in the Hickory Grove Cemetery, in Waverly, PA.

08/31/2026

A Civil War cavalry lieutenant and a letter home.

Lieutenant Asa Dodge Corse was born June 21, 1829 to Calvin Corse and Mela Tiffany. His place of birth is listed as New Milford but sources say the border between New Milford and Harford was so indistinct at the time that it could have been Harford. He had links to the founding family of Tiffany in Harford through his mother. He attended Franklin Academy in Harford.

He enlisted in Co B 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry on Sept. 21, 1862 as a Commissary Sergeant at the age of 33 in Montrose.

He was promoted to 1st Sergeant (date unknown) and the 2nd Lieutenant in July of 1864. He transferred to Co B 2nd Prov Cav in June of 1865.
During the Civil War, he was a Lieutenant and acting Captain of Co H the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry.
He fought at the battle of Trevillian Station, June 11-12, 1864, which was the largest all cavalry battle of the war.

We have a letter he wrote home about this battle.
Wilcox’s Landing. Va., June 26, 1864.
On the morning of May 9th we started with Sheridan on his great raid. ** We passed within 2 ½ miles of Richmond at midnight of May 11th ; heard the ringing of bells. We might have taken the city but we could not have held it. **On the 7th of June we started on another expedition from which we have just returned. Twelve days we were in the enemy’s country, with no communication with the army. We started with only 6 ½ days’ ration and one day’s forage. At Trevillian Station, eight miles from Gordonsville, on the evening of the 12th, our company was again under a terrible fire which told fearfully upon our ranks. Corporal Harvey S. Rice fell dead, struck by a musket ball, entering his heart. **Slowly and sadly we laid him down to sleep his last sleep. ** We very much regret that we were not able to bury them (Labar and Nash), but when we learned their condition we were several miles away and the field was in the hands of the enemy. **Hot sun and thick dust. **On the 21st we again met the enemy near White House Landing. **Dallas P. Tennant was killed instantly, a ball passed through his head. He is buried three miles from the above place. So fall America’s bravest sons.
Asa D Corse
He was on Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley campaign, initiated in Aug of 1864. And he fought at the battles of Wi******er and Fisher’s Hill. He fought at Five Forks, April 1, 1865, a key battle in the decision of Lee’s surrender and was present at Appomattox Courthouse for the Confederate surrender, April 9, 1865.

After the war, he returned to Jackson, and married Monemia Stewart from Bridgewater and became a farmer. We know he had two children who survived to adulthood – Clayton Grow, and Barbara Effie. Another child, Clarence died in childhood.

08/29/2026

WE are getting close to our goal of having enough to purchase a stair lift for the Orphan School, can you help us reach $1,100.00. I have a line on a good one which will fit well. Anybody able to assist us? Message Mike, or Linda, and we'll tell you how to give, and thanks in advance!!

08/28/2026

After the Civil War those hundreds of thousands of northern veterans needed someone who understood just how the soldier's life changes a man. That organization was called the Grand Army of the Republic, membership limited to those who served the union. All male, with one exceptional female. As any group they had activities, and among them here in PA was having encampments at the Soldiers Orphan School. They would give a helping hand to assist the school, and sit around a fire, expanding greatly, no doubt, the adventures they seem to remember. The tales grew as the years went by, events grow as the decades slip by. Like the trout one caught at 12, by 70 it could have swallowed Jonah. The truth of the civil war is there were months of marching about, bored to death sitting in camp, and an occasional terrifying battle. But, a good story, told well, to a group of boys was a fine thing for a young man to remember. Facts were somewhat variable. Here is a photo taken by Harford's own photographer of the ordinary events of life in a small town, Harry Shannon, of those men dressed in their uniforms formed up for a parade. Its 50 years, or more, since strong young men boldly marched to war. Now they walk slowly, some limping from ancient wounds which never left their bodies. Bent with age. Memories. Memories of those who never came home, those lost since, a few too early, their bodies damaged beyond repair to live a normal life. But they marched with a will stronger than their frail years just to recall, to never forget, to teach the rest what a soldier's life was, and that they are never really unchanged by time. Inside those relics of time past shuffling by are those same strong men, those patriots who helped save a union and gave freedom to the brutally oppressed.

08/25/2026

George Bester Wilmarth was born April 7, 1842, in Harford, Pennsylvania, the eldest son of George P. (1819-1889) and Martha Payne Wilmarth (1820-1909).
During the Civil War, George B. joined the 57th Pennsylvania Volunteers; he served from October 1861 until he was released in January 1864. He married Margaret Murray in May 1876, and the couple had ten children; most were born in De Smet. In the 1870s, George B. and Margaret (Maggie) Murray Wilmarth (1855-1947) lived in Redwood County, Minnesota. They moved to Gary, Dakota Territory, located on the Minnesota/Dakota border between Marshall, Minnesota, and Watertown, Dakota Territory. George came to De Smet in 1880, where he opened a grocery store on the east side of Calumet, it was known as George Wilmarth and Company. Mrs. Wilmarth arrived with their three sons prior to the Hard Winter of 1880-1881.

Mr. Fuller and Mr. Mead and Mr. Hinz took their places in a row, facing Pa and Mr. Wilmarth and Royal Wilder. All their mittened hands were on the two long wooden handlebars that crossed the handcar, with the pump between them. – The Long Winter, Chapter 11, “Pa Goes to Volga” L.I.W.

While Laura Ingalls Wilder included “the small Wilmarth boys” as students in the De Smet School when the blizzard struck during classes (see The Long Winter, Chapter 9, “Cap Garland,”), the two oldest of the Wilmarth children – Delbert and George – were ages 3 and 2 in 1880, and definitely not in school at the time. Mr. Wilmarth is also mentioned as one of the men who takes the handcar to Volga to clear the tracks (see Chapter 11, “Pa Goes to Volga”). During the Hard Winter, George Wilmarth sent sledges to Huron for groceries. One item he received was a barrel of brown sugar, which was in short supply in De Smet. He parceled it out in lots of three pounds for half a dollar. According to an early settler, one of the “monied men” in De Smet insisted on purchasing more sugar, saying, “Isn’t my money as good as anybody’s?” Mr. Wilmarth replied, “Yes, but you are not a bit better than everybody else and three pounds is all you can get here!” He lived with the Ingalls for many years, and he, and his wife both died and were buried in De Smet. Not famous, but he did make a difference. Just think, without that medicine we might never have had those wonderful stories.
The connection to our local history - George attended Harford Academy in 1864 (after his service in the Civil War), the campus closed in 1865, and shortly after it became the Harford Soldier's Orphan School. That's George below.

08/18/2026

When John Adams, the man who lived to be 104 here in the area, was Justice of the peace a couple he had recently married came to him and asked, Sir, can you kindly unmarry us? He took them outside to the woodpile, put his foot on the stump used to split the wood and said, whichever of you wants the divorce the most, put your head there! Neither did, but one can only wonder of the rest of their married lives.

Send a message to learn more

08/14/2026

The Innocent Victims of War
“God has called your husband to the other side.” An estimated 620,000 families read this line or something similar as they were notified that a loved one had died in the Civil War. As there was no formal process for these notifications, the letters were often written by close friends who had witnessed the death.
Approximately 2 million soldiers fought for the Union during the Civil War with an estimated 360,000 coming from the state of Pennsylvania. Of those soldiers 15,000 died on the battlefields or of wounds inflicted on the battlefield and 33,000 were casualties from disease and other causes. Thousands more either lived short lives after the war or were left disabled and unable to care for their families. Without a male head of the household, women struggled to financially support their families. Even if they had had a job teaching before marriage, a woman was expected to give up that job after marriage. The reasoning being that being a mother and a homemaker was an all consuming job. The loss of a husband meant the loss of an income and many mothers saw no options but to resort to a state-supported orphan school to raise their children. These children were the innocent victims of war. Their lives were changed forever.
Pennsylvania’s governor Andrew Curtain began responding to this problem of orphaned children in 1864. The program ran from 1864-1893 and in that time, 40 homes and schools served 14,834 students and cost the state, $9,854,755.04. Virtually all states responded to the needs of Civil War orphans, but Pennsylvania stands alone in both the breadth of its orphan education system and the length of time in which it operated.
In order to be accepted into an orphan school in Pennsylvania, the student had to be a resident of Pennsylvania and be in destitute circumstances. The father had to have served in the military and also to have been a resident of the state. The guardian of the child had to fill out an application to the Superintendent of destitute orphans of deceased soldiers and sailors of the state of Pennsylvania. She resigned all custody, care, and control of the child to the Superintendent until the child was sixteen. No child under four years of age was accepted into the schools.
The Franklin Academy in Harford was established as a school for the orphans of soldiers and sailors in 1865 and operated until 1902. In establishing and maintaining the school, the Harford community used its resources wisely and incorporated practical life skills into its curriculum. This prepared the children for a life after graduation and, as they practiced these skills, also lowered the cost of running the school.
A day in the life of an orphan at these schools began at eight am with devotional exercises. Reports to the state stress that the students were taught “religiously and not denominationally”. The primary goal was to establish a sense of morality, and they were instructed by a series of social talks on good manners and social responsibility. Traditional school was then attended for six hours. English grammar, algebra, book-keeping, natural philosophy, geography, and history as well as vocal musical instruction was taught. Students also learned to play a variety of musical instruments. The school was graded and monthly examinations were conducted with promotions made as advisable. After ‘school’, labor details were attended for two hours. During these details, boys did farm chores or carpentry work. The girls had five rotating details consisting of kitchen, dining room, dormitories, sewing room, and laundry. All clothing for the girls and part of the boys’ clothing was made at the school and much of the food was supplied by the adjoining farm worked by the boys. Military drills for the boys and calisthenics and gymnastic drills for the girls were also given. The period in which these schools operated reflected the promise of common schooling and the rise of industrial education.
Students graduated at the age of sixteen and were prepared to support themselves. Many of the girls became teachers and many of the boys became farmers or went into a trade.
When you go around the back of the First Congregational Church in Harford and look to your left into the cemetery, you will see a row of eight identical small white gravestones each decorated with an American flag. These are graves of children who died at the Harford Soldiers’ Orphan School. They had lost everything and were truly the innocent victims of war.

08/13/2026

Early Technology in Harford
Bell patented the first telephone on March 7, 1876, and it quickly gained popularity. By 1877, construction of the first regular telephone line from Boston to Somerville, Massachusetts, had been completed. Four years later, there were over 49,000 telephones in the United States.
Harford installed a telephone in the Soldiers’ Orphan School in 1898. The Susquehanna Historical Society researched old newspapers and began posting a column called 100 Years Ago. In those postings was this article dated Jan. 17, 1898.
The Soldiers' Orphan School now has telephone connection with Kingsley and Harford. AND The Christmas presents for the children from the Commission of Soldiers' Orphan Schools: 855 lbs of candy; 107 lbs peanuts; 50 lbs walnuts and almonds, and three boxes of oranges.
We don’t know exactly who the people at the Orphans’ School were talking to but members of the Harford historical society speculate that it was either the train station so they could be notified of arriving students or the post office so they could be notified of important mail. One thing we know for sure was that there was also a phone in Kingsley by that date and possibly other phones in Harford as well.

08/13/2026

Pritchard Frantz Family Heirloom Displayed at the SOS

The Harford Historical Society recently received a donation from The David Pritchard Frantz Family of Gibson of an antique wood hooded cradle which will be on view in the museum during the Used Book Sale July 9th from 9-2 pm at the Soldiers’ Orphan School, Harford.

Documentation says it was purchased in 1820 and is at least 202 years old. The construction is similar to many of the cradles dated to the 1700’s in other museums. It has an intricate design for the hood, carrying handles on each side so it could be placed at the feet of the caregiver who kept it rocking often while doing other tasks, dovetail joins, and safety angle curved rockers to prevent tipping.

The hooded shelter is a response to certain child-rearing concerns of its time, such as protecting the baby from drafts, shading its eyes from direct light, and eliminating distractions from falling asleep. The Monmouth County Historical Society specifically sites the dates 1780-1820 for these concerns. Native Americans also often had hoods on the cradleboards women used when transporting their children on their backs.

This cradle was found in 1929 in the house of David and Jessie Pritchard (parents of Bernice) when they purchased the property in Gibson. It was used by David Pritchard Frantz when he was born in 1932. His original infant clothing is now worn by a doll that is in the cradle. The cushion/mattress and quilt were made by his mother Bernice. The beautiful quilt states in a corner: “Made for David before he was born 1932 by his mother Bernice.”