James Lowe was born John J. Mader to Peter and Mina Schrieber Mader in the slums of New York City. His father and mother emigrated here from Switzerland and Baden, Germany, respectively, probably separately. Their first child, Charles Augustus was born in Carlstadt, Bergen, New Jersey in 1869. The couple moved to Manhattan, and resided at 183 Ludlow Street, one of the worst slums in the Five Points area. This is the same area depicted in the movie, "Gangs of New York". By 1880 there were five Mader brothers; Charles, Peter Jr., John, Jacob, and Baby Frank.
It was noted on the 1880 Federal Census that a total of 30 people lived at 183 Ludlow St. Jacob Riis, a Danish photographer captured the Maders' and many other immigrant families' struggles eloquently. A quick search online will reveal the horrors of "The American Dream" for poor immigrants in the late 1800s.
Baby Frank was born the month before the 1880 census was taken, and after that time, no further documentation of the boys' mother, Mina has been found. The four oldest Mader boys were cared for by the Children's Aid Society. Peter, Sr. may have turned to drink, or otherwise become unable to care for his sons. Thousands of impoverished parents turned their children over to charitable organizations because they could no longer feed them. Baby Frank was taken in and raised by Mina's brother, Ignatius Schrieber and his wife, Thekla.
The other four brothers were to become a part of history. The plight of destitute immigrant children became so horrific that the idea of "The Orphan Train" was born. About 200,000 children were put on trains which traveled across the midwest, making stops in towns where the children were literally put on display and interested families would come to view them. By 1884 the Mader Boys were "Placed-Out"--Charles went to a family in MO., and the other three were adopted or fostered by separate families in Spring Valley, MN. John J. Mader became James J. Lowe, Jacob was adopted by the Olds family, becoming "Jake Mader Olds", and Peter Mader Jr. kept his original name. James and Jake ended up moving to live close to each other in California, Peter remained in MN. and Baby Frank, raised by his Uncle Ignatz married and lived his life in New York State.
No record had been found that accounts for either Peter, Sr. or Mina after the Federal Census of 1880. The only information we currently have is a statement made by one of Mina's grandchildren: "Mina died in NY, (date unk) leaving Peter, Sr. with five sons, including infant Frank. Peter then became an alcoholic, and the boys were put on the Orphan train."
On 14 April, 1897, James Lowe married Martha Ellen Watson, and the couple had two children, Lloyd and Cecil in Minnesota, and then moved out to California where Charles was born. James worked in the laundry industry his entire life. James died at age 70, and Martha at 83.
Peter and Mina's boys finally found the American Dream.
It was noted on the 1880 Federal Census that a total of 30 people lived at 183 Ludlow St. Jacob Riis, a Danish photographer captured the Maders' and many other immigrant families' struggles eloquently. A quick search online will reveal the horrors of "The American Dream" for poor immigrants in the late 1800s.
Baby Frank was born the month before the 1880 census was taken, and after that time, no further documentation of the boys' mother, Mina has been found. The four oldest Mader boys were cared for by the Children's Aid Society. Peter, Sr. may have turned to drink, or otherwise become unable to care for his sons. Thousands of impoverished parents turned their children over to charitable organizations because they could no longer feed them. Baby Frank was taken in and raised by Mina's brother, Ignatius Schrieber and his wife, Thekla.
The other four brothers were to become a part of history. The plight of destitute immigrant children became so horrific that the idea of "The Orphan Train" was born. About 200,000 children were put on trains which traveled across the midwest, making stops in towns where the children were literally put on display and interested families would come to view them. By 1884 the Mader Boys were "Placed-Out"--Charles went to a family in MO., and the other three were adopted or fostered by separate families in Spring Valley, MN. John J. Mader became James J. Lowe, Jacob was adopted by the Olds family, becoming "Jake Mader Olds", and Peter Mader Jr. kept his original name. James and Jake ended up moving to live close to each other in California, Peter remained in MN. and Baby Frank, raised by his Uncle Ignatz married and lived his life in New York State.
No record had been found that accounts for either Peter, Sr. or Mina after the Federal Census of 1880. The only information we currently have is a statement made by one of Mina's grandchildren: "Mina died in NY, (date unk) leaving Peter, Sr. with five sons, including infant Frank. Peter then became an alcoholic, and the boys were put on the Orphan train."
On 14 April, 1897, James Lowe married Martha Ellen Watson, and the couple had two children, Lloyd and Cecil in Minnesota, and then moved out to California where Charles was born. James worked in the laundry industry his entire life. James died at age 70, and Martha at 83.
Peter and Mina's boys finally found the American Dream.
James Lowe was born John J. Mader to Peter and Mina Schrieber Mader in the slums of New York City. His father and mother emigrated here from Switzerland and Baden, Germany, respectively, probably separately. Their first child, Charles Augustus was born in Carlstadt, Bergen, New Jersey in 1869. The couple moved to Manhattan, and resided at 183 Ludlow Street, one of the worst slums in the Five Points area. This is the same area depicted in the movie, "Gangs of New York". By 1880 there were five Mader brothers; Charles, Peter Jr., John, Jacob, and Baby Frank.
It was noted on the 1880 Federal Census that a total of 30 people lived at 183 Ludlow St. Jacob Riis, a Danish photographer captured the Maders' and many other immigrant families' struggles eloquently. A quick search online will reveal the horrors of "The American Dream" for poor immigrants in the late 1800s.
Baby Frank was born the month before the 1880 census was taken, and after that time, no further documentation of the boys' mother, Mina has been found. The four oldest Mader boys were cared for by the Children's Aid Society. Peter, Sr. may have turned to drink, or otherwise become unable to care for his sons. Thousands of impoverished parents turned their children over to charitable organizations because they could no longer feed them. Baby Frank was taken in and raised by Mina's brother, Ignatius Schrieber and his wife, Thekla.
The other four brothers were to become a part of history. The plight of destitute immigrant children became so horrific that the idea of "The Orphan Train" was born. About 200,000 children were put on trains which traveled across the midwest, making stops in towns where the children were literally put on display and interested families would come to view them. By 1884 the Mader Boys were "Placed-Out"--Charles went to a family in MO., and the other three were adopted or fostered by separate families in Spring Valley, MN. John J. Mader became James J. Lowe, Jacob was adopted by the Olds family, becoming "Jake Mader Olds", and Peter Mader Jr. kept his original name. James and Jake ended up moving to live close to each other in California, Peter remained in MN. and Baby Frank, raised by his Uncle Ignatz married and lived his life in New York State.
No record had been found that accounts for either Peter, Sr. or Mina after the Federal Census of 1880. The only information we currently have is a statement made by one of Mina's grandchildren: "Mina died in NY, (date unk) leaving Peter, Sr. with five sons, including infant Frank. Peter then became an alcoholic, and the boys were put on the Orphan train."
On 14 April, 1897, James Lowe married Martha Ellen Watson, and the couple had two children, Lloyd and Cecil in Minnesota, and then moved out to California where Charles was born. James worked in the laundry industry his entire life. James died at age 70, and Martha at 83.
Peter and Mina's boys finally found the American Dream.
It was noted on the 1880 Federal Census that a total of 30 people lived at 183 Ludlow St. Jacob Riis, a Danish photographer captured the Maders' and many other immigrant families' struggles eloquently. A quick search online will reveal the horrors of "The American Dream" for poor immigrants in the late 1800s.
Baby Frank was born the month before the 1880 census was taken, and after that time, no further documentation of the boys' mother, Mina has been found. The four oldest Mader boys were cared for by the Children's Aid Society. Peter, Sr. may have turned to drink, or otherwise become unable to care for his sons. Thousands of impoverished parents turned their children over to charitable organizations because they could no longer feed them. Baby Frank was taken in and raised by Mina's brother, Ignatius Schrieber and his wife, Thekla.
The other four brothers were to become a part of history. The plight of destitute immigrant children became so horrific that the idea of "The Orphan Train" was born. About 200,000 children were put on trains which traveled across the midwest, making stops in towns where the children were literally put on display and interested families would come to view them. By 1884 the Mader Boys were "Placed-Out"--Charles went to a family in MO., and the other three were adopted or fostered by separate families in Spring Valley, MN. John J. Mader became James J. Lowe, Jacob was adopted by the Olds family, becoming "Jake Mader Olds", and Peter Mader Jr. kept his original name. James and Jake ended up moving to live close to each other in California, Peter remained in MN. and Baby Frank, raised by his Uncle Ignatz married and lived his life in New York State.
No record had been found that accounts for either Peter, Sr. or Mina after the Federal Census of 1880. The only information we currently have is a statement made by one of Mina's grandchildren: "Mina died in NY, (date unk) leaving Peter, Sr. with five sons, including infant Frank. Peter then became an alcoholic, and the boys were put on the Orphan train."
On 14 April, 1897, James Lowe married Martha Ellen Watson, and the couple had two children, Lloyd and Cecil in Minnesota, and then moved out to California where Charles was born. James worked in the laundry industry his entire life. James died at age 70, and Martha at 83.
Peter and Mina's boys finally found the American Dream.
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Many thanks to Lisa Worden for the photographs my family didn't know existed!
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