I am researching this family and am interested in what would have been available in the Allentown area for children orphaned by the war.
1860 census for Allentown, Lehigh, PA

Wm Ellis age 30 born Ireland day laborer
Pauline age 5 born PA
Sarah age 5 born PA went to school in that year (so born in 1855-56, odd that Pauline did not go to school)
Susan 3
Peter 1

Looks like there was no mother in 1860. Then the father enlisted in the army:

William Ellis age 30, residence Allentown, mustered in as Private in Harrisburg 30 Aug 1861, occupation laborer, died in General Hospital Beaufort SC of congestion fever on 1 Aug 1862, eyes gray, complexion light, hair brown, height 5’ 8 “. He died: William Ellis of Lehigh County died 2 Aug 1862 in Beaufort SC of fever at the hospital. I can't find his burial. I cannot find the children in 1870, except maybe for Sarah who was working as a servant in Philadelphia.

Who might have cared for these children during the war and after the father's death? Is there any information about orphanages in Lehigh County?
Thanks
Kate