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 historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work •
this page online
Location. 39° 33.922′ N, 97° 39.789′ W. Marker is in Concordia, Kansas, in Cloud County. Marker 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cloud County War Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Genevieve Hunt / Sister Roberta Dreiling (about 600 feet away); Gertrude Vale / Sister Eva Marie Vale (about 600 feet away); Paul Young / Paul Clithero (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mary & Catherine Burns (approx. 0.3 miles away); Henry Lee Jost (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jessie Feit / Teresa Bieker (approx. 0.4 miles away); John Lukes Jacobus (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Concordia.
Related markers.
2. Marker detail: Robert and Roberta
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 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 December 22, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2022
3. 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 79 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 22, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
