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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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The Past and Present of Shiawassee County, Michigan
Historically Together With Biographical Sketches Of Many Of Its
Leading And Prominent Citizens And Illustrious Dead.

The Michigan Historical Publishing Association
Lansing, Michigan

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                        THE COUNTY FARM
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The first action of the county government in reference to the county
poor was taken by the board of commissioners January 9, 1839, when
Sanford M. Green, Isaac Castle, and Hiram Stowell were appointed
superintendents of the poor.  Nothing further appears of record until
December 24, 1841, when the distinction between town and county poor
was abolished, and the county assumed the entire charge.  The sum of
two hundred dollars was appropriated from the incidental fund for that
purpose.

January 7, 1847, the board of supervisors directed the superintendents
of the poor to purchase a farm, not to exceed one hundred and sixty
acres, and to erect suitable buildings thereon, for which purpose the
sum of two thousand dollars was to be raised by tax.  October 13, 1847,
eighty acres of land (the south half of the southwest quarter of section
32, Caledonia) were purchased for a county farm.  A log house was first
used as a home, but at intervals appropriations for improvements were made
and in 1859 substantial frame buildings were erected.

The report of the superintendents of the poor for the year ending
September 1, 1879, shows that the expenses on the farm for that year
were two thousand sixty dollars and thirty-nine cents; that the value
of products raised on the farm was about one thousand dollars; that
the number of persons receiving support there was thirty-two.

The county farm is located two and one-half miles southwest of Corunna
and now contains one hundred and twenty acres.  The home is a fine modern
building of brick, its dimensions forty-four by one hundred and four feet.
The number of inmates averages forty-six and they are carefully looked
after by Mr. N. E. McKenzie, who has been keeper of the farm for the past
twelve years.

The present superintendents are Arthur W. Green, of Corunna; James A.
Armstrong, of Owosso; and Harvey B. McLaughlin, of Vernon.  While they
conduct the affairs of their department with rigid economy, every effort is
put forth to make the county's unfortunate charges comfortable and happy.
Under the supervision of Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie the place has become the
model poor farm of the state.

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