County Poor Farm Cemeteries

LANIGAN

Posted By: Mary (email)
Date: 10/20/2008 at 16:21:24

In the 1980s, a local historian named Paul Kesselring researched the cemeteries of Wapello County and we have a copy of his findings. He did a thorough study, researching records in the courthouse, the Recorder's Office, the Auditor's Office, land transaction deeds, etc. Here is what he wrote about the County Farm Burial Sites:

"We have another interesting story in the county of the county farm or care center located in Section 33 of Agency Township. In 1861, the county purchased from Quincy A. Wood a tract of land some 100+ acres. One of the statements made in the history books is that 'the purchase was just below the mouth of Sugar Creek. The County does not boast about this institution.' It was a poor farm (in more than one way). There were some burials made there on part of the land but we do not know how many. The record does show a land transaction in 1910 of 140 acres and the deed reads 'except certain burying grounds known as "County Burying Grounds."' This County Burying Ground is on land now owned by Max Shank. There are no markers but Mr. Shank showed me the place and there are supposed to be some graves there. In the 1870s the present County Farm was purchased which is north and east of Ottumwa. The new County Home is there. There is also a burial plot on the southeast corner of this farm where there are supposed to be some twenty or thirty graves. In visiting it, we found only one stone which says, "Mother - Martha Wall" but no date. According to the records, the last burial was supposed to have been in 1936. These burials reflect the name "Poor Farm" and, with no money, of course, no markers were erected for them."

The current County Home is located in the northwest corner of Section 5 in Dahlonega Township, Wapello County (which is north and east of Ottumwa, as Kesselring noted).

Hope this helps. This is about all we have here at the library.

*Thanks Pat for this info~~