Ringgold County Poor Farm

MOORE

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 6/21/2009 at 05:31:29

RINGGOLD COUNTY FARM

Ringgold County Farm was located in Liberty Township along U.S. Highway 169, north of Side Hill School. It was in operation from 1854 to 1925. Unlike some Iowa county farms, there is no indication that there was a cemetery located on the site for residents. Instead, they were interred in other cemeteries in Ringgold County.

POOR FARM
Charitable institutions, ever since the earliest dawn of history, have existed in some form to ameliorate the unhappy and sorrowful phases of human life. With the advance in knowledge, and the increased duty thereby resting on men to care for their fellows, there has resulted a better understanding of the needs of humanity and better methods of meeting them. Institutions of a charitable nature have sprung up in every clime, more or less perfect in their organization and administration; all of which are doing a noble work for humanity. But, as is more interesting to us, our own land is in no respect behind other lands in its care for the sick and sore, the poor and the unfortunate.

In every State there are numerous institutions cared for at its expense, and in nearly every county the same feeling of kindness finds expression in the maintenance of a home for the same classes. The care of this county for the unfortunate in life has ever been most kind. Busied with individual cares and necessities, as its inhabitants have been, they nevertheless found opportunity to pause and inquire into the condition of the poor of the county.

It was the custom in the earlier days to place a family in charge of one or more unfortunates, paying them a stated sum in consideration for which they were to provide certain articles both of clothing and food, and were required to give bonds for the faithful performance of their duty.

A case in point, serving to illustrate all these particulars is found on the records of this county affecting, however, Ringgold county, then under the jurisdiction of Taylor [County].* The entry is transcribed verbatim et literatim.

October 18 Day 1852

Know all men by these presents that i, Jerry HARPER of the county of Ringgold, and the State of Iowa for and in Consideration of the sum of one Hundred dollars to Me in hand paide is held and firmly Bound unto Sarey Ann - of the County and State a fore Said to furnish the said Sarey Ann - all the nesesary provisions and Clothing for her self and her foure Children and all Necessary fuel for the fire and all the Nesesary midisens and Employ all phisians and pay all Reasonable Doctrs bills and log all the heavy Wood for the fire for the termination of foure years from this present date for the payment of the above obligation I have Executed my Note.

Jery HARPER

Attest: Lott HOBS

Private families often cared for persons in this way, and this is but one of the numerous instances of the past. The attention of the county was aroused to the matter, and the first official action relative to providing a home for this class. General S. MOORE was a member of the board of superviors that purchased Ringgold County's poor farm.

* Ringgold County was formed from Taylor County in 1847.

The Iowa excerpt from a 1904 U.S. Government report which summarized various state poor laws stated:

The board of supervisors of each county has authority to establish a poorhouse, to prescribe regulations for its management, and to appoint the steward of the same, who may be removed by the board at pleasure.

No person shall be admitted to the poorhouse except upon the written order of a township trustee. When an inmate becomes able to support himself the board must order his discharge.

The poorhouse must be inspected at least once a month by one of the county supervisors. The supervisors have authority to let out the support of the poor with the use and occupancy of the poorhouse and farm for a period not exceeding three years.

Liability for support of relatives extends to parents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren.

A legal settlement is gained by residing one year in the state; but the authorities may prevent a person from obtaining a settlement by "warning to depart" if he is a county charge or likely to become such.

The general relief of the poor is in charge of the township trustees, subject to the regulations of the board of supervisors.

For cities the board may appoint an overseer of the poor.

SOURCES:
Ringgold County History Complied and written by the Iowa Writers' Program of the Work Projects Administration in the State of Iowa, Sponsored by Ringgold County Superintendent of Schools, Mount Ayr, Iowa. 1942.

AVITT, Mike. Pages and Pictures from the Past. . .Ringgold County, Iowa 1855-2005 p. . Paragon Publications, Inc. Mount Ayr. 2009.

EVANS, Lyman. Taylor County, Iowa History Pp. 444-45, 484. 1881.

www.poorhousestory.com/IOWA_LegalSummary.htm

Compiled and submitted by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2009