Person:William Barker (16)

In August, 1886, the three children, William M., Freddie J., and Clarence H. were to the State Public School at Coldwater as dependant and neglected children of the Van Buren Probate Court. The paperwork, submitted to the court by the "superintendents of the poor" refers to their mother Lillian as a housekeeper in Bloomingdale and their father as in inmate of the State Prison at Jackson.

From The State of Michigan, Family Independence Agency, Adoption Unit

... limited information is provided in the records regarding Marshall G. and Lillian J. Barker, the parents... William, Freddie and Clarence were admitted to the State Public School at Coldwater on August 23, 1886, by way of a neglect petition filed in the Van Buren County Probate Court on August 2, 1886. At that time, Marshall was an inmate of the "State Prison at Jackson" and Lillian was unable to properly care for the children.

The record provides that Clarence remained at the State Public School until he was returned to his parents (Solomon and Lily Curtis) on February 20, 1888. Freddie was indentured to a home located in Mt. Clemens [with an L.M. Barnes] sometime in early spring 1887. Freddie remained in this home until 1890. In December, 1890, the guardian reported that Freddie was living with his mother, Mrs. Lily Curtis, "who lives near Berlamount, Van Buren County", and on August 25, 1891, Fred was "restored" to his parents by action of the Board. ['Lillie Curtis' signed the application to have Clarence returned at Berlamont, Jan. 17, 1888. At that time, she and her husband Solomon Curtis owned 13 acres of farming land in Columbia township, Berlamont post office. The application to have Fred returned, signed by Lillian J. Curtis and dated Jan. 9, 1891, states that she was a resident of Columbia, Van Buren County, where her husband had 93 acres on Section 23. The family consisted of her husband and son, aged 10 and the district school was one mile from their home.]

On November 16, 1886, William M. Barker was indentured to a home located in St. Ignace, Michigan. William made an excellent adjustment in this home and his guardians expressed their desire to adopt William. This adoption was finalized by the Mackinaw County Probate Court on May 20, 1889.

Evidently at that time, there was a great push to send children to this public school by Van Buren County. My source said children were sent there in droves. What I would like to know is why did not the Kings or the Barkers take the children? J.C. Willmore, if no one else, surely could have afforded the care of three boys.

The State Public School by Ray Mulchahey Copyright © 1997 by Judith Weeks Ancell. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.

The first step that led to the eventual establishment of the State Public School was taken by Governor H. P. Baldwin. In the fall of 1868 before assuming the governorship he visited several of the state institutions, and some of the county jails and poor houses. Becoming convinced of the need for improvement in management, and a revision of laws relative to them, he recommended the appointment of a commission to inquire into these matters and report to the next legislature. Dr. S. S. Cutter of Coldwater, Honorable C. I. Walker of Detroit, and F. H. Rankin, of Flint, were appointed to carry out the task.

When the legislature convened, Mr. Caleb D. Randall, then a State Senator from Coldwater, was made chairman of Reform School Committee in the Senate. Mr. Randall studied various types of child-caring institutions, both in the United States and abroad, but none met the standard or plan which he had in mind. The plan which evolved resulted in the establishment of a family cottage type plan institution, to which children were to be sent by Superintendents of the Poor of the various counties on proof of their dependency on the public for support. The institution was to be a temporary home only, and during his stay at the school the child was to be trained to go into a foster home where he was to be supervised by a state agent in each county. The law was passed and signed April 17, 1871, creating the first governmental institution ever established for dependent children, where poverty was the only price of admission. Coldwater was chosen as the site because it furnished 25 acres of land and #30,000. The first buildings were finished and opened for the reception of children on May 21, 1874, with facilities for 180 children.

The first Superintendent was Zelotes Truesdale and Daniel G. Blackman was the steward, with nine matrons in the cottages, five teachers, and various other employees. The board of control consisted of Charles E. Mickly of Adrian, Dr. S. S. Cutter of Coldwater, and Caleb D. Randall of Coldwater, secretary and treasurer of the Board.

The bill to abolish the State Public School was introduced by Senator Town in 1935, and passed. A new agency, the Michigan Children's Institute in Ann Arbor, was established to take over the c are of the children then at the State Public School. On October 1, 1935 the State Public School as a governmental agency ceased to exist. The administration came under the direction of the hospital commission, and its use converted to the care of high grade mentally retarded patients capable of education on an academic level, and who could profit by vocational training. It continued as Michigan Children's Village until May 23, 1939 when by Public Act 142 the name was changed to Coldwater State Home & Training School, at which time they began admitting patients of all levels of mentality.

More info from a County History

...The act provides... that there shall be received as pupils in such school all neglected and dependent children that are over four and under 16 years of age, and that are in suitable condition of mind or body to receive instruction, especially those maintained in the county poor-houses, those who have been deserted by their parents, or are orphans, or whose parents have been convicted of crime. It is declared to be the object of the act to provide for such children temporary homes only, until homes can be prepared for them in families... Provision is made for preserving a record of the parentage and history of each child... One officer is appointed to look up homes for the children, to apprentice them, and to keep a general oversight... The internal government of this school is that known as the "family" and "congregate" combined, the families consisting of about 30 members each, and being under the care of "cottage managers," ladies whom the children call "aunties" and who are supposed to care for the children as mothers. Each child of sufficient years is expected to work three hours every day; some work on the farm, some in the dining-room and kitchen, while others make shoes, braid straw hats, make their own clothing, work in the bakery, engine-room, laundry, etc. They are required to attend school, three to five hours a day, according to their ages, and the school hours are divided into sessions to accommodate the work. The buildings, ten in number, comprise a main building, eight cottages, and a hospital, all of brick. The buildings are steam heated, lighted with gas and have good bathing facilities. There are 41 acres of land in connection with the school... furnishing accommodations for 240 children.

From the 1920 Cook County, Illinois census

Barker, William M. M W 44 married all born MI teamster/milk wagon

           Gertrude            F  W  41 married  IL  Ger  Ger
           William T.  son   M  W  22            b IL            stenographer/RR
           Harold J.    son   M  W 19             b IL