Poor Farm
Soon after the great financial panic of 1857, the need for a "poor farm" or "alms house" became apparent in Clinton county.
In 1857 the authorities of Clinton county purchased a farm of 200 acres near Waterford and Washington townships as well as 60 acres of timber land.
The first superintendent was John McElhatton, who held the position for many years, being succeeded in 1874 by John Blessington.
At first the inmates only numbered from four to nine but soon after the close of the Civil was as many as 50 were cared for.
About 1878 it was found with the rapidly increasing number of insane and semi-insane persons, that some cheaper provision must be made for caring for these unfortunates, also. The following year a three-story asylum was built at a cost of $5,000.
For many years the policy was to pay the superintendent of the poor farm so much per person per week, or month. In the '70's this plan was changed and the superintendent became a salaried officer.
(If you can't find a woman who should be with a particular family, you might want to check the 1880 (census) Schedule of Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent (DDD) Classes. Many women spent time in insane asylums when they were depressed, had postpartum blues, etc. Any 'weird' behavior that went against 'normal' thinking could have been grounds for being declared 'insane'. I'm not sure at this time that Clinton has such a schedule, but I will check the library the first chance I get. You might also check out the article in the March 1992 issue of the Nat'l Gene Society Quarterly by Ruth Land Hatten "The 'Forgotten' Census of 1880" for more information and the availability of these schedules.
We have more info on the Poor Farm.
SOURCE: Centennial Edition, Clinton Herald, Clinton Iowa, 18 June 1955
