Concordia in Cloud County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Clara Reed Duckett Morgan
August 20, 1901 - May 27, 2004
— Rider to Belleville, Kansas 1909 —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 4, 2021
1. Clara Reed Duckett Morgan Marker
Clara Pearl Reed was born in upstate NY to Fred and Gertrude Reed, the second child of four. Sadly, at the age of seven, Clara and her two younger brothers lost their parents and eldest sister, Ethel. The three had been moving cattle across a frozen lake when the ice broke. They died after contracting tuberculosis. Gertrude arranged for her children, Clara, James and Howard, to be taken to the Children's Aid Society in Manhattan, New York, after her death.
Clara and her younger brothers were placed out in 1909 in Belleville, Kansas. Before leaving NYC, Clara convinced the CAS to take her youngest brother Howard on the train. She knew they had to ride together or risk being separated forever. Although each child would find permanent homes with three separate families in Belleville, the three remained in contact. Clara spent her first years in Kansas with Howard and his new family, the Dowells. Mrs. Dowell taught Clara to play piano this would inspire her love of music and future career.
In 1911, Clara was placed in the home of Reverend Duckett and his wife. Clara was well educated and attended college, becoming a music teacher through Emporia College in Kansas. She married Robert Lee Morgan and the couple relocated to Happy, Texas, where they raised four children: Robert "Bobby" Lee, Kathryn Pearl, Helen Faye, and Jay
this page online
Erected by National Orphan Train Complex; Robert "Bobby" and Wanda Morgan; and Dane and Brenda Houston.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is June 19, 1909.
Location. 39° 34.474′ N, 97° 39.679′ W. Marker is in Concordia, Kansas, in Cloud County. Marker can be reached from Washington Street just south of West 3rd Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker and sculpture are located beside the walkway in front of the Orphan Train Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Washington Street, Concordia KS 66901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Robert Francis Summers Memorial Clock (here, next to this marker); Robert Frances (Miles) Summers (a few steps from this marker); Union Pacific Railroad Passenger Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Howard Reed Dowell (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the National Orphan Train Complex (within shouting distance of this marker); James Reed Elliot (within shouting distance of this marker); William Sidney Emay
2. Marker detail: Clara Reed Duckett Morgan
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Orphan Train Movement
Also see . . .
1. Clara Reed Morgan. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on November 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. A History of the Orphan Trains. Kansas Collections website entry:
When the Orphan Train movement began, in the mid-19th century, it was estimated that approximately 30,000 abandoned children were living on the streets of New York. Over the 75 year span of the Orphan Train movement, it is estimated that between 150,000 and 200,000 children were relocated to new homes via the Orphan Trains.(Submitted on November 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 4, 2021
3. Clara Reed Duckett Morgan Sculpture & Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 143 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
