Howard Hurd, Orphan Train Rider
In 1925, my brother Fred Swedenberg and I were removed from our home in Upstate New York because of neglect. I was three and my brother was six.
We went to an orphanage and were later shipped to New York City and placed on a train with several other children and sent to the Midwest to live in a foster home. We were separated and went to different homes at Osceola, Nebraska. He was placed in Clarks Nebraska. I went to Stromsburg Nebraska. We both received good homes. We were lucky. Some children were not so lucky, as some were abused.
There were around 150,000 to 200,000 children who were dispersed in this fashion between 1854 and 1926. We are becoming extinct as all of us are now over the age of 75.
I would like to hear from any other Orphan Train Riders or anyone else interested in this subject. I will answer all correspondence as soon as possible!
Or send me some snail mail at:
Howard Hurd
1009 15th Street
Aurora, NE 68818
