HISTORY: Union Co. Poor Farm; Union 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 Union County, Iowa 
       Please visit the Union County, IAGenWeb page  
       at http://iagenweb.org/union/
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History of Union County (1908)
Union County Poor Farm

At the October election, in 1874, the question of purchase of a poor farm and 
tax levy for that purpose was submitted to vote of the county electors, and decided 
in the affirmative.
At this time William Groesbeck, I.K. White and George A. Ide constituted the Board 
of Supervisors and at their meeting November 21. 1874, they contracted for the 
purchase of the one hundred and sixty acres in Highland township known as the J.P. 
Emerson farm, described as north half (n.1/2) of the south west quarter (s.w.1/4) 
and south half (s.1/2) of the north west quarter (n.w.1/4) section  twelve (12) for 
the sum of forty-seven hundred dollars.  The county has from time to time purchased 
land adjoining until the farm now comprises two hundred and forty-seven acres.  The 
farm is situated about six miles east of Creston and four miles north west of Afton.  
When the farm was purchased some repairs were made and buildings were made to answer 
for the few inmates until 1879, when the board at their meeting in May passed the 
following resolution:

Whereas the poor house of Union county having become unsafe and insufficient for the 
accommodation of the poor of the county, therefore, be it resolved by the board of 
supervisors that they proceed to erect a suitable building on the county poor farm for 
the use and benefit of the poor and also appropriate the sum of five thousand dollars 
to build the same.   The building, a three story brick thirty-six by forty feet, 
containing twenty-seven rooms, was erected in 1879 and has been kept in excellent 
repair.  It is now equipped with a modern hot water heating plant and conveniences for 
the care and comfort of the inmates.  Adjoining the brick is a one and a half story, 
frame building of twenty-four by twenty-eight with addition.  Suitable barns, cribs and 
sheds are provided for the use of the farm and a wind mill and piping from an excellent 
well furnishes water in abundance.  The buildings are situated nearly in the center of 
the farm and are protected on the north by a grove of native timber.  The live stock 
belonging to the county is among the best and the farm is equipped with the needed teams 
and implements for the successful running of the place.

The steward of the poor farm is appointed annually by the board of supervisors and he 
is under their direction and control.  His salary for the year 1908, is seven hundred 
and fifty dollars.

Union county poor farm was given second place among the county farms of the state in 
the 1906 report of the state inspector.  The fact reflects credit upon the management.  
At present there are twenty inmates at the farm.  The poor farm levy of one mill upon 
the taxable property of the county is expended outside of the county farm for the care 
of indigent poor of the county.  The amount of this tax for 1907 was forty-three hundred 
and sixty-two dollars.