HISTORY: County Home; Franklin County, Iowa 

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NOTE:  For more information on Franklin County, Iowa 
       Please visit the Franklin County, IAGenWeb page  
       at http://iagenweb.org/franklin/
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History of Franklin County, Iowa 
Date:    1914

County Home 

Franklin county had not been called upon to meet the necessities of the helpless 
poor and indigent to any great extent. But "the poor ye have with you always" and 
this county has been no exception to the rule. For years this class of people were 
"farmed" out by the authorities, but the system became unsatisfactory and in 1886 a 
change was made for the better. June 8, 1886, a tract of land was purchased of H.C. 
Clock, containing 233 acres and situated on section 30, Geneva township. A substantial 
and commodious two story frame building was erected, barns were built and the few 
infirm and helplessly poor dependant on the public were given a permanent home. Other 
buildings have been put up in recent years, a hot-air heating system, waterworks 
system and gas plant installed so that the inmates have all the comforts they might 
well expect under their circumstances.

The Franklin county farm cost $5,828.50. At the time of its purchase much of the land 
was untillable, by reason of the many low, wet spots scattered here and there. By a 
system of drainage the land has all been reclaimed and today it is worth three times at 
least what it cost. While the farm is not self-substaining, enough is produced from its
fertile soil to bring the expenses down to a comparatively small sum. In 1912, the sale 
of cattle raised on the place brought in $765; hogs, $1,801.51; seed corn. $3.50; 
premiums, $17.10 or a total of $2,587.11. The expense account footed up $3,068.23, 
leaving the small balance against the county of $303.12 The farm and improvements are 
valued at $32,000, and with the stock, feed, implements and other chattels, the amount 
reaches $$40,049.