Jefferson County Online A part of the IAGenWeb and USGenWeb Projects Poor Farm

Prior to the occupancy of the present County Poor-Farm, those misfortunates who were the charges of the county were distributed among the people, and the care and expense borne by the tax-payers. As the population increased, with a corresponding increase of feeble-minded and indigent, it became necessary to provide a place where better attendance at less cost to the people could be furnished them.

At the election in the fall of 1866, a question of buying a Poor-Farm at a cost not to exceed $6,000 was submitted to the people of the county and carried by a large majority.

A selection was not made until the next year, when, through William Hopkirk, J. H. Collins and W. F. Dustin, a committee appointed for the purpose, what was known as the "Traverse Farm," in Liberty Township, was purchased. This consisted of the north 140 acres of the northwest quarter of Section 22, and south 96 acres of the southeast quarter of Section 15. There was a building on the farm at the time of the purchase, 34x18 feet, with an "L" 16 feet. In 1869, H. B. Mitchell, William Alston and William Long were appointed a Committee to prepare buildings for the reception of paupers. They erected a new building 36x40 feet, two stories in height, which was completed the same year, and the next year built a barn 36x40 feet. Other improvements have been made since. In 1875, a story was added to the old building, and there is now in course of erection a kitchen 28x30 feet, two stories high. These building (sic) are of frame, well arranged, and of ample capacity for the present need of the county. The average number of inmates for the years 1876 and 1877 was twenty-one, which has increased the present year to twenty-five. James Armstrong is the present Superintendent.