The morning call., 1891-08-22
History Of The Home.

The Good Templars' Home for Orphans
is not a new institution. Its history dates
back from the year 1865, when well-known
and phianthropic woman, who, on account
of her great love for the human race, was
known as Mother Elvira Baldwin. con-
CelYed the idea OF the establishment of such
an institution.
This estimable lady died only short
whileago-on July 16th-at the ripe old age
of S. She was 4 charter member of Sloan
Lodge, l. o. G. T., which was instituted in
1856 From that time up to a short while
before her death, q period OF thirty-fve
years. Mother Baldwin worked in season
and out for the order TO which she APP
peared to have dedicated her life.
Ii was IN the year 1868 that the first GER
titcate of stock of the Orphans Homestead
Association vas issued, and Mrs. Baldwin
was the purchaser. The certificate has been
preserved, and is dated February l, 1865,
the date OF the Incorporation Of the aSSOcia-
ton being January !, 1868. The capital
stock was divided into 53+ shares. represent
ing 500 each. This stock formed the nu-
cleus Of a fund with which to build the
Good Templars' Home for Orphans as it
had been conceived by Mother Baldwin.
DEDICATED TO THE ORPHANS.
In 1859 4 Capaci0us and elegant structure
was erected near Vallejo. in Sllano County,
aud in October, 1870 was dedicated and
opened Under the auspices Of the Grand
Lodge OF Good iemplaTs. Although the in
sttution was entitled the Good TemplarS"
Home for Orphans the title was not meant
10 convey any idea Of eXcluslveness as to
the class admitted. On the contrary it has
been the policy Of the managers to admit ali
comerS the only condition required being
proof that the applicant was a homeless or
phan. This was and IS the only passport
necessary at the portals of this commend
able lQgflfnfIOU. IUH records Of the bOmD
show that since its establishment over 1000
homeless children have been taken in,
sheltered and provided for This plain
statement is more eloquent than any ex-
tended eulogy Of the home could be.
BOARD OF MANAGERS.
The home is under the general manage
ment of a Board Of Trustees and Board OF
Lady Managers, the former comprising the
gentlemen Of the order, who have charge of
the building and grounds, comprising 100
acres, and financial matters, While the
Board of Lady Managers is composed of
eight prominent lady members OF the order,
selected from various parts Of the State. and
has charge OF the in ternal aud domestic re-
lauOns OF the institution.
a graded school, under the public school
system OF the State, Is taught by a corps Of
competent teachers in large two-story
school building erected in the home
grounds. This school was dedicated in 1881.
Upward Of 100000 has been expended in
Inc erection, care ana maintenance OF this
institution. The home is supported and
sustained by voluntary contributions.
APPROPRIATIONS.
The boards of Trustees and Lady Man
ayers are selected at the annual sessions of
the Grand Lodge Of Good Templars. At the
thlrty-hrst annual session, held in October
last at Santa Cruz, SIS, 798 was appr0pri-
ated for the expenses 10 be incurred In main
tanning the home in all its departments for
the year lS90-9l. at the same session
public meeting was held in the III
terests Of the home and S1292 20 was
realized from contributions by members of
the order. Besides this pledges to the
amount of $500 were made by the diff
ferent lodges aud Bands OF Hope. At
the session referred to the total receipts
az "a and the expenditures So, 697 40. The
year was II, making the total in the home
90 OF this number only four died. In
point OF nationality the greatest number
were Americans, 139; Germans, 20; Irish, II !;
English, II.
PRESENT OFFICERS.
The following are the officers of the
home: TruStees-Robert Thompson Pres
idenD, N. {. Winchester Secretary, Dr.
Isaac S. Halsey CTreasurer), j. NJ Walling,
Albert A. Smith. Samuel Kitto, George b.
haizenstein. Lady Managers-Mrs. NJ, E.
Partridge Presiden0. Mrs. NJ. NJ. Carpen-
ter Secretary. Mrs. j. W. Prrstly, Mrs. &.
L. Fowler, Mrs. NJ. S. Anthony, Mrs. Kate
Hart, Mrs. l.. II. Kellogg, Mrs. &. Cline
and Mrs. NJ. Richardson.