Concordia in Cloud County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Mary Mullen Leikam Kraus Jacobs Hardt
August 20, 1899 - May 5, 1992
— Orphan Train Rider to Ellis County, Kansas, c. 1901 —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2022
1. Mary Mullen Leikam Kraus Jacobs Hardt Marker
Mary Mullen was born to Mary Ann Mullen in 1899 in New York City. As an infant, she was taken to the New York Foundling Hospital, to be cared for by the Sisters of Charity. Soon, she was selected for placement in a Western home, and traveled to Ellis County, Kansas, to live with John and Ottilia Leikam.
The Leikams were young Russian immigrants who lived in Wakeeny, Kansas, and had no children of their own. Mary and her adoptive parents relocated to Chicago around 1914. There, Mary met her first husband, Henry Krause. They had one son together before Henry passed away. Mary then married Anthony Jacobs, and the pair raised five children together before divorcing after 1940. Finally, Mary married Henry Hardt. Mary and Henry remained together until Henry's death in 1981. Mary passed away in 1992, at age 92. She left behind eight children, twenty-nine grandchildren, thirty-three great grandchildren, and multiple great-great grandchildren. One of those grandchildren grew up to marry into the Roney family.
Erected 2022 by National Orphan Train Complex.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work
this page online
Location. 39° 34.284′ N, 97° 39.817′ W. Marker is in Concordia, Kansas, in Cloud County. Marker is on West 6th Street just west of State Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker and sculpture are located beside the sidewalk, directly in front of the Brown Grand Theatre. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 310 West 6th 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. Brown Grand Theatre (here, next to this marker); Anna Katherine Fuchs (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thelma Taylor (about 400 feet away); Stanley & Victor Cornell Deger (about 700 feet away); John Lukes Jacobus (about 700 feet away); To All Our Fallen Heroes, Thank You. (about 800 feet away); Henry Lee Jost (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elmer Barney Malone & Ethel Barney Malone Staley (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Concordia.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Orphan Train Movement
Also see . . .
1. Mary Leikam Hardt (Find A Grave).
2. Marker detail: Mary Mullen Leikam Kraus Jacobs Hardt
2. 37th Orphan Train Rider Statue Unveiled at Brown Grand Theatre.
The 37th Orphan Train Rider Statue was unveiled Friday, June 3rd, 2022, on the second day of the 19th Annual Celebration of Orphan Train Riders. Located at the Brown Grand Theatre in downtown Concordia, the statue honors Mary Mullen Leikam Kraus Jacobs Hardt.(Submitted on December 19, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Marlesa Roney, daughter of Hannalesa and Jack, said the Brown Grand Theatre holds a very special place in her heart. Jack was instrumental in securing recognition of the Brown Grand Theatre on the National Historic Register and was a founding member of the Board of Directors that oversaw the renovation of the opera house. During the planning of the statue project, Marlesa says they discovered one of Mary Mullen's grandchildren grew up to marry into the Roney family.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2022
3. Mary Mullen Leikam Kraus Jacobs Hardt Sculpture
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2022
4. Mary Mullen Leikam Kraus Jacobs Hardt
Marker & Sculpture
Marker & Sculpture
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2022
5. Mary Mullen Leikam Kraus Jacobs Hardt Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 18, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
