Richard Egers

Richard Egers came to Hancock County in 1897 when he was six years old.  He was fostered by Mr. Ludwig August Wilke of LaHarpe, Illinois.

In a letter a to the New York Juvenile Asylum published in their 1900 Annual Report, Mr. Wilke reports:

I have been expecting to write for some time, as my wife died May 26th, and left me a little baby boy. I did not know what to do about Richard – He loves my little boy so much. Some advised me to send him back to you, but when he heard it he begged so hard to stay I could not part with him. My father and mother are with us now, and we are sending Richard to school and also to Sunday school. Like all children he is sometimes a little head strong, real good again. If you come around please come and see us.”