Appanoose County IAGenWeb

Census Records

THE POOR FARM.

At the session of the Board of Supervisors in January 1867,  a committee of three members was chosen to look up a suitable site for a Poor Farm,  the cost not to exceed $4,000,  and if an eligible location could be found,  a special session was to be called.

The committee visited various tracts of land within a radius of eight miles from Centerville,  and finally fixed upon the land owned by W.C. Ewing,  it being the southeast quarter of Section 32,  Township 69,  Range 18 (Bellair),  lying about four miles west of Centerville,  together with twenty acres of timber one mile south.

This was to be had for the exact sum specified, and the Board met March 2,  but adjourned to the 14th,  on which day the committee's report was approved and the deed was made out on the 16th,  but the land was not surrendered till the following November.

A new building,  14 X 28 feet in size,  and two stories high, has been erected during the present year,  and the old Ewing house has been thoroughly repaired for the use of the paupers,  of whom there are usually twelve to fourteen.   There is also a good barn.   Henry C. Baker is the present Steward.

SOURCE: The History of Appanoose County,  Iowa; Chicago:   Western Historical Company,  1878. p. 433. (This file was compiled and contributed to the IAGenWeb by Mona Sarratt Knight, August 2009.)

The 1870 and the 1880 US Federal Census reveal the following residents listed during these census years:

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