HISTORY: County Home History; Madison County, Iowa 

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
Calvin McVay
May, 2002
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NOTE:  For more information on Madison County, Iowa 
       Please visit the Madison County, IAGenWeb page  
       at http://iagenweb.org/madison/
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History of Madison County
The County Farm

When the county grew to such proportions as to acquire a class of people known as 
indigents, the helpless poor and unsound of mind, it became necessary for the 
authorities to devise ways and means for their care and comfort.  At first, when 
their number was insignificant, the unfortunate ones were "farmed out" to a proper 
person, who undertook, for a nominal remuneration, to give his charge food and 
shelter.  This system was makeshift and very unsatisfactory to the county and her 
wards, so that it was determined to provide an asylum to be built and maintained 
from the public funds, for those worthy of support.  To this end a tract of land 
was purchased in the year 1876, where a large frame building was erected for inmates.  
Later, a two-story brick structure was erected for the care and safe keeping of the 
feeble minded and insane.  Some few years ago (?) the building for the insane was 
abandoned for its original purpose , owing to a law having been passed making it 
obligatory on counties of the state to send their hopelessly insane to a state 
institution provided for them; so that, for several years this building on the county 
farm has practically remained vacant.  However, the farm, consisting of 2563/4 acres 
and located in section 24 and 25, Douglas Township, has been kept in a good state of 
cultivation and all necessary buildings have been maintained for the steward, inmates 
and livestock.   The number of unfortunates seeking care and shelter in this infirmary 
has never been large and at this writing there are only twelve, nine of whom are men 
and three women.

In his annual report for the year 1913, the steward, G. W. Gilliland, makes the 
following notations: "The farm consists of 257 acres, upon which is built one 
dwelling house of nine rooms , one pauper house of fourteen rooms and one of twelve; 
two barns, double corn crib, poultry house, ice house, workhouse, coal house and two 
hog houses - - Total valuation of farm $30,808." 


Cemetery Notes
2001

Researching historical books, county records and old copies of the Winterset 
Madisonian, there is evidence that a cemetery was on the site of the county home.  

Madisonian newspaper; dated July 17, 1891
On the sisth of the present month, Richard Lyons, aged 22 years , died at the poor 
farm.  He was afflicted with a complication of diseases which finally ended in his 
death, and he was buried at the poor farm.