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Emigrants arrival

Belgians in America

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C.W. Soldiers

Belgian Civil War soldiers

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the old soldier's homes: Western

 In 1884, the Western Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers  in became the first National Home branch west of the Mississippi River to serve veterans in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska.  In the same year, Congress increased eligibility for the National Home branches to include those veterans with non-service related disabilities. As a result, the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers had an immediate 12% increase in membership prompting construction of the Western and Pacific Branches to accommodate more veterans. The historic core of the Western Branch is situated along a ridge line overlooking the Missouri River.
Construction began at the branch in 1885 using bricks made from clay found on the site for many of the original buildings.  The Western Branch provided shelter, education, training, employment and medical care to veterans. Members could work and learn new skills, while they were being rehabilitated. By 1893, the Western Branch had carpenter, blacksmith, engineer, tin, paint, print, shoe, soap, and tailor shops, and a truck farming producing fruit and vegetables. Shops for baking, upholstering, and horseshoeing were added by 1900. Members were employed as laborers, waiters, clerks, cooks, carpenters, and guards.
Prominent landscape architect Horace William Shaler Cleveland designed the campus in the Picturesque style with curving tree-lined roads, an informal arrangement of buildings, and large open areas with groups of trees and shrubs.  Cleveland believed in working in harmony with the natural landscape, laying out the campus to complement the rolling topography of the site.
Established in 1886, the cemetery is to the west of the buildings on campus separated by a sloping grade. Horace William Shaler Cleveland designed the cemetery in the park-like cemetery layout that was popular in late 19th century. (from various sources)

1900: Fritz Freeman: born April 1836, 64 y.o., divorced, born Belgium from Prussian parents, emigrated 1858
          Edward Deyorger: born February 1833, 67 y.o., married for 42 y., emigrated 1850
          August Decamp: born September 1834, 65 y.o., single, emigrated 1860
1910: August De Camp: 77 y.o., single, Belgian(French), emigrated 1863, a laborer
1920: Bruno Cloves: 70 y.o., widower, Belgian(Flemish),
          Edward Deyorger: 84 y.o., widower, emigrated 1850, Belgian(Flemish) from parents Belgian(French)