Concordia in Cloud County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Alberta Cole
⎯⎯⎯
Roberta Work Miller Slifer
October 17, 1921 - October 14, 2014
| | Train to McPherson, Kansas in 1925 | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2022
1. Alberta Cole / Roberta Work Miller Slifer Marker
Alberta and Albert Cole were born in Bath, New York. The three-year-old twins, along with their four brothers, were placed out by the Children's Aid Society in McPherson, Kansas in 1925. Walter and Anna Work of Windom, Kansas were the young couple who took in the twins. The twin's names were changed to Roberta and Robert Work. After graduation from high school, Roberta worked as a switchboard operator. She married LeRoy Miller in 1943 and together they had one child, Charlotte. After the death of her first husband in 1958, Roberta married Cecil Slifer in 1960 and the family made their home in Marion, Kansas. It was during time spent in the hospital for polio that Roberta was given the nickname "Happy" because of her positive outlook. Happy left a legacy of the love of family, either by birth or by choice.
this statue was funded by Rotary International District 5670 and
the Concordia Rotary Club playground project
Erected by National Orphan Train Complex; Rotary International District 5670; and Concordia Rotary Club.
Topics and series. This
this page online
Location. 39° 33.922′ N, 97° 39.789′ W. Marker is in Concordia, Kansas, in Cloud County. It can be reached from West 11th Street just east of Cedar Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker and sculpture are located on the north side of the Rotary Club Playground in Concordia City Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 318 West 11th Street, Concordia KS 66901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Kansas’ Smoky Hills. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this
2. Marker detail: Robert and Roberta
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Orphan Train Movement
Also see . . .
1. Roberta A. Happy Work Slifer (Find A Grave).
She and her siblings were placed into an orphanage in Bath, New York. From the orphanage, they were put on an orphan train in 1924. Roberta (at that time known as Alberta) was adopted by Walter and Anna Work of Windom, Kansas.(Submitted on December 22, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. A History of the Orphan Trains.
When the Orphan Train movement began, in the mid-19th century, it was estimated that approximately 30,000(Submitted on December 22, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)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.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 20223. Roberta Work Miller Slifer Sculpture
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2022
4. Alberta Cole / Roberta Work Miller Slifer Marker & Sculpture
Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 22, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
