Tag Archives: Home for the Friendless

Elizabeth Brown Ide

Posted on August 14, 2014 by editor

Elizabeth Brown Ide (1873-1978), who was born into money and married more, could have been merely a socialite. Instead, she became Springfield’s most prominent children’s advocate during the early 20th century. Ide’s parents were Christopher Brown and Caroline Owsley Brown, … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Medicine, Prominent figures, Public health, Social services, Springfield Survey, Women | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Fire escape hazards, 1914 (Springfield Survey photo)

Posted on December 15, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Survey was a massive study of local schools, prisons, and other institutions undertaken in 1914 by the Russell Sage Foundation with the help of hundreds of local volunteers. Topics covered included schools, care of “mental defectives, the insane … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Photos and photosets, Social services, Springfield Survey | Tagged | Leave a comment

Rev. Francis Springer

Posted on October 7, 2013 by editor

The Rev. Francis Springer (1810-92) is considered the father of Lutheranism in Springfield. A service he held in his home in 1841 led to the founding of the first Lutheran congregation in the city. That church later evolved into both … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, Education, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures, Social services | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments