It was republished many times throughout the years and sung by singers including Elvis Presley, Mitch Miller, Bing Crosby, and Johnny Cash.

"I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen" was listed among the most popular American ballads in 1887, and gained recognition as one of the most beloved songs in music history.

Despite the fact that Westendorf became recognized in musical circles and received income from composing, he choose to continue his career in education.

Westendorf led successful boy choruses, male quartets, and glee clubs in many institutions.

On one hand, many children who studied under Westendorf's supervision were paroled and led successful lives.

[24] In 1865 and 1866, Westendorf studied law, piano, and violin in Chicago,[9] and later the family moved to Delavan in Walworth County, Wisconsin.

During the partnership with John Church and Company, Westendorf received a salary of $50 per month as payment for his work and investment into any future material.

[31] Westendorf often dedicated songs to friends, family members, or to people he had just met to set up communication.

[16][47][48] The song's first public performance was on an organ in the Family Four Cottage, and later by a band in the Plainfield, Indiana Town Hall.

[22][23] The song was often republished by different owners, added to a number of musical collections,[49][50] and arranged by different musicians, including Elvis Presley, Mitch Miller, Bing Crosby, and Johnny Cash.

[5] It was used in a radio program, Orphans of Divorce, and in motion pictures, including Mrs. Parkington and Magic Town.

Academic research states its place of origin as Plainfield, Indiana, in 1875,[51][21] which is supported by a number of other journalistic sources.

For example, at the time of Westendorf's death, local Washingtonian newspapers promoted the story that the song was written in Washington State.

[57][58][59][note 2] In fact, in 1883, the song was already routinely included in musical collections[60] thus rendering these local accounts erroneous.

[42] When it became widely known that the real name of Westendorf's wife was Jane, the stories mutated into different versions.

In one, she was German, and Kathleen was her pet name, given by the husband;[52] in another, the song, inspired by a "frayed copy of an old composition" ("Barney, I'll Take You Home Again" by George Parsley[note 3]) was written after the Westendorfs' baby died.

In yet another, Westendorf's wife Jane, whose pet name was Kathleen, allegedly went ill and was homesick for New York and her family.

He was credited with organizing the first juvenile band in Chicago and being one of the first educators to teach music to children in reformatory schools.

[7][67] Westendorf led boy choruses, male quartets, and glee clubs in different states, including Washington,[68][41] Indiana,[69][70] Tennessee,[71] and Kentucky.

[14][23] During his service in Plainfield, some public concern was expressed about the quality of care for the boys and the high number of escapes, which eventually led to an overhaul of the school management.

An Illinois newspaper started an investigation during which a reporter heard confirmation about poor treatment and food from one student.

[75] The Washington State Reform School at Chehalis opened June 10, 1891, and in August Westendorf was asked to become superintendent there.

Girls were encouraged to develop talents in drawing, music, sewing, and knitting–skills to make their future homes beautiful and comfortable.

[80][20][81][82][83] However, other sources report that "serious charges" were repeatedly brought and discussed by the state legislature during this time,[84] but that Westendorf continued to receive support.

[87][81][82][84] At the time, a number of different newspaper articles debated the possibility of "abuse"[88] and "immoral practices"[89] during Westendorf's service, stating that the "trouble started" when older boys were placed in employment and revealed that "immoral practices were indulged in by some boys at the institution.

[64] Another version stated that the unspecified charges made against him in Chehalis "broke his heart," and as a result he lost interest in teaching and resigned.

He was buried in a family plot in the Mount Greenwood cemetery with the words "He wrote that others might sing" inscribed on his tombstone.

It was put on the place Westendorf composed and first sang his hit song, "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen," and inscribed with the chorus.