Poor Farm Cemetery - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

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Poor Farm Cemetery

MONTGOMERY COUNTY INDIANA  -- POOR FARM CEMETERY LISTING
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Please note - this group began with the nine records transcribed by the DAR in the 1960s and found on the Crawfordsville District Public Library database of cemeteries in 2017.  With the help of a great researcher, Kim H., we have found close to 100 graves proven and several we are fairly sure but have not yet added.  It's amazing how many there are buried there :(
As of the date I made this new page for the new program, there were 83 listings of people buried here but only 9 existed anywhere in any indexes.  Thanks so much to the DAR ladies for the original 9, the library folks at Crawfordsville for keepig these 9 in tact and especially to my buddy, Kim H for her amazing help in finding several more and her diligent work in linking them to parents, brothers, and sisters on findagrave.  
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AIKENS, Theodore A.  -- Source: Indiana Certificate of Death 1901 p 3
states that he died of Tuberculosis which he had had for 3 years.  Source: Crawfordsville, Indiana Daily-News Review March 12, 1901 p 1
Theodore  A. Aikens, aged 57 years, died with consumption this morning at the  county house where he had been an inmate for two months. The burial took  place this afternoon at the farm cemetery short services being  conducted by Rev. Nave.
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ALBERTSON, Girl Baby
Born 14 Sept 1890 (County Poor Farm) Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana
Died 19 Sept 1890 (County Poor Farm) Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana
Source: Taken from the account books of CB Dunbar, Superintendent of the Montgomery County Poor Farm. Mattie Albertson admitted June 24, 1890 age 22 Discharged October 22, 1891 - Union Twp paid her charge. Girl baby was born to her Sept 14, 1890 and died Sept 19th 1890- "Buried Co. Farm"
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BAXTER, William
From his Death Record -- died at the County Poor Farm 3-30-1900.  He was 73 but no birth date given; however it did say that he was born in Jefferson County, Indiana.   Died of Pneumonia which he had for six days.  

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BEARD, James -- He was born in 1844 in New York and died at 6 p.m. of a cerebral hemorrhage.  He died May 22, 1915 and was "buried on the 23rd t the Montgomery County Farm for the Poor.  He had been at the home since 1872 and was considered, "A very bad man when angered."  In two census records, his parents were listed as born in Ireland.
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BENNETT, Noah -- Dr. Fred Daughtery, who was my doctor when I first got married, was the doctor at the farm for many years.  He pronounced Noah dead on December 8, 1961 at 7:40 am.  Few of the Death Certificates for the poor folks have parents listed but Noah's parents were ELmer B. Bennett and Martha nn Paxton.  Noah was born in Montgomery County on Valentine's Day, in 1881.  According to his death record (#61-042945) he was "buried in the Montgomery County Home's cemetery on December 11th.
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BOTTORFF, Clarence Heath "Doc" -- Since there were Bottorff's in our county, it is assumed that Doc was born here although his death record only says "Indiana" but his birth date is July 28, 1907 the son of (thanks Kim H) Elbert Elijah and Bertha Estella Elmore Bottorff.  He married Margaret Katherine Carver and they had twin sons who were born in 1934 and died then.  They also had one other daughter, Roselyn Lee.  He died February 17, 1967 and was buried on the "County Farm" on the 20th, acording to his death record in Montgomery County.
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BRANSON, Warham "Warry" -- There is a question as to his first name, so if anyone finds the real one, let me know.  kbz
We  do know that he was 77 when he passed away but no birth date is know.   His father was Thomas Branson and mother, Esther Lay. They were both  born in Tennessee, Warhim in Indiana.  He was buried on the poor farm in  the small cemetery there two days after death.  He fell and broke a hip  and died on the 16th at 5:20 p.m.  The home's doctor, Fred N. Daugherty  signed his Death Record and the farm's superintendent, Seth Swank was  the informant.
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BRYANT, David -- Source: Hunt & Son Funeral Home Records, 1912-1960 compiled by Norm Creamer, Montgomery County, Indiana.
Bryant,  David. Born 1860 Montgomery County.  Died 2 June 1945 Montgomery County  Poor Farm.  Buried 4 June Montgomery County Poor Farm.  Only indication  of family was Father: David, born Montgomery County and mother Anna Wyatt.  He was buried at the poor farm two days after his death.  
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BUTCHER, Rachel Gallamore was born in Ireland about 1861 and died in Montgomery County at the poor farm on August 4, 1935 of cancer of her uterus.  Both parents were born in Ireland and were: Nathan Gallamore and Sarah Potter.  Wish we knew more about her
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CALL, Emma -- was never married dying May 17, 1931 of myocarditis and age 65.  She lived at the farm for quite some time and ws buried "in the pauper cemetery," so assuming that is one and the same as te County Poor Farm cemetery.
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CAMPBELL, Claude Cloe -- When Claude registered for the WWI draft, his mother signed for him as "Guardian," because he was "physically disabled and feeble-minded."  He had no occupation but was described as being of medium height, medium weight and having brown eyes and black hair.  He was 18 and registered on the 12th day of September in 1918.  His birth was given as 9-5-1900 and he died 5-13-1969 at Culver Hospital, a resident of the county farm for at least 40 years.  According to his Death Record, he passed from "hhypostatic pneumonia," and his parents are listed as Marion Campbell and Rose Bell Plunkett.  
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CARLISLE, David -- One of the few with complete dates is David being born on a day of celebration, July 4th in 1854, especially for a birth.  He is a brother to Mahlon Carlisle, below.  A divorced man, he died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the farm on the 24th day of June in 1925.  He and Mahlon were both born in Indiana and John Carlisle, born in Scotland, their father. Mother was Ann Ridge, born in Ohio.  
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CARLISLE, Mahlon -- Found  on his Death Record #24968 of Montgomery County, Indiana that he was  buried on the "Montgomery County Farm," August 26, 1942 by Hunt &  Son Funeral Home.  In the 1920 census he lives alone and a laborer at  the Casket Factory.  In 1930, he lived on the poor farm.  He died on the  farm on August 24th, 1942 at 11:10 p.m. when he fell out of his bed  onto the cement floor of the infirmary.  He was born in Montgomery  County on the 18th of December in 1857 and was 84 Years 8 Months and 6  Days old  His parents were listed as John G. Carlisle, born in Indiana  and Ann Ridge born in Indiana.  there is no indication he was ever  married.  Ida C. Clark of Lafayette, Indiana gave information on his  Death Certificate.  (See also David above and note the difference of where their parents were born). Since Mahlon gave the information for his brother, I'm more inclined to believe David's record that their father was born in Scotland and mother in Ohio :)                                                                                                  
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CARPENTER. Ella -- Her Death Certificate (#12700) states that she was born March 1, 1854 and was a widow, dying of nephritis and a cerebral hemorrhage on April 12, 1928 at 7 in the morning, Dr. Fred Daughterty his doctor.  Her father is listed as Alexander Washington but her mother unknown.  Bert Dunbar, County Farm Superintendent gave the information.  Her notation as to where buried was the "Montgomery County Infirmary," but that is one of the many ways the Poor Farm was referred to.
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CARPENTER, Robert -- born about 1822, we know very little else about Robert Carpenter other than this short obituary -- Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, 7 May 1897 --Robert Carpenter, aged 75 years, died Sunday morning at the poor farm  and was buried in the afternoon. He was a native of Kentucky and had  been an inmate of the poor house off and on since 1885. He formerly  worked on a farm near Brown's Valley.
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CARSON, George -- known as "Sassafras," it wasn't because he was testy or sassy but because he loved (and made extra money) finding and selling the roots. Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal,
August 18, 1899 -- Sunday  night at the poor farm Geo. Carson paid the penalty of the human race  and breathed his last. Mr. Carson was seventy years old and had been an  inmate of the county asylum for about eight years. He used to be a  familiar character about the streets of the city and went by the  nickname of "Sassafras" George. He was an indefatigable purveyor of  sassafras and was always on hand in the season with bunches of the  fragrant root which he claimed *was nature's remedy for all diseases of the blood. He was buried Monday evening at the farm.  Source: Crawfordsville Review, 19 August 1899
George Carson, a well-known character who answered to the name of "Sassafras  George," died at the poor house Sunday night. He was 80 years of age and  had been an inmate of the county infirmary for some eight years. He  earned a few pennies in the spring peddling bunches of sassafras from  house to house. He was buried in the potter's field at the institution
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CARVER, Jesse -- is one of our lucky ones, as we know his complete dates, as well.   He was born right in the city of Crawfordsville 24 January in 1858 and died "on the farm," three days before Christmas in 1922.  Although not 100% sure Jesse is buried here, I find no obituary online  and his Death Record states only, buried in "Crawfordsville."  Do not  see a findagrave entry, either, so feel fairly confident (and I'm pretty  picky on my proof and will certainly delete this entry if it comes out  that Jesse is not).  Better than most of the poor farm death records  (Union Township, Montgomery County Certificate #36537), "Jessie" was  born January 24, 1858 to John and Melissa Pointer Carver.  He died  December 22, 1922 at 8 p.m. of  chronic myocarditis.  Dr. H. A. Kinnamon attended him.  He is listed as a  widow, not marrying (Rachel Pattison) until very late in life on  28 Jul 1906. She was Rachel Lawson, daughter of Wiley and Margaret Todd  Lawson and lost her husband Daniel April 19, 1899 and her daughter the  year before.  The Carvers do not seem to be living together in 1910, as  she is in Parke County as the head of the household, listed as a "Washer woman," with her children with her, including a two-year-old Carver  daughter.  Although Jesse is listed as a widow on his Death Record, when  their daughter, Margaret marries 23 June 1906 in Vermillion County,  Indiana her father, Jesse is listed as deceased and mother, Rachel  living in Newport.  Interesting stuff!
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CAYTON, William -- Source: Crawfordsville Review newspaper, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana Jan 23, 1923 p 6
William  Cayton, who died Sunday night about 10 o’clock, at the County Farm, was  buried yesterday afternoon in the farm cemetery.  His death was caused  by pneumonia.  He had been an inmate at the farm since 1913.  He was one  of the number of orphans brought here from New York State many years  ago and lived all of his life, until he entered the home in the Biddle  neighborhood north of Waynetown.  He was 72 years old and had no immediate relatives. – kbz  -- Cayton  could not read/write and was a laborer. He may be the son of William  and Ann Cayten who lived (1855 NY Census) in Albany, NY, then moved on  to Peoria, Illinois and remained there for the rest of their lives.   There is no indication on his DR that gives even a hint of who he is,  but it, too confirms that he died at night (it says 11) at age 72 and  "is buried Jan 22, on the Poor Farm."
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CLARK, Thomas -- was not listed with an age on his sketchy death record but died December 29, 1921 at the Montgomery County Farm and buried there by Barnhill, Undertaker.  He was born in New York. Dr. Thomas Cooksey signed his DR and he passed at 8 a.m. of paralysis and arterior sclerosis.  
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CLEVENGER, William -- his Death Record states he died and was buried at the County Farm. He was likely born in 1863 in Illinois and died in Crawfordsville March 2, 1902 of TB.  Dr. Paul Barcus noted that he had only lived at the County Farm for 105 dyas and he was trouble when admitted.  Parents were unknown.  He was buried on the 4th.
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CONRAD, John --  Source: Montgomery County Record of Burial #82 -- John Conrad. Died Poor Farm.  Buried Poor Farm. Dr. Cowan. Died of Influenza. Laborer; widowed. Born: March 26, 1847
Died Jan 27, 1919. Father: Nelson Conrad born Ohio; Mother: Patsy Ann Wyatt born Indiana.
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COOPER, Cyrus
Death Record #39596 – died 12-23-1937.  Age 79 (born about 1858) in Indiana.  He was not married but retired (didn’t say from what).  Nothing on his parents – all unknown. He died of Chronic Myocarditis.  Dr. Fred Daughtery and was buried on Christmas Eve by William L. Murphy at the Poor Farm
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COOPER, George -- George had no parents listed on his death certificate nor anything about where they were born. He was listed as age 79, being born about 1824 and died of a cerebral hemorrhage on March 20, 1920 and WD McClelland, Undertaker, buried him in the County Poor Farm Cemetery.  Husband of Jane below.  He died of cerebral hrmorrhage, March 21, 1903.
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COOPER, Jane  (Graves) -- Born about 1825 in North Carolina, Jane is pretty elusive but we do know she is buried at the Poor Farm and died April 26, 1903.  Perhaps she missed George?  Evidently, Jane was not at the poor house long as she is with her husband, George (ahhh, they had been married 50 years) in Clark Township, Montgomery County in the 1900 census.  Born North Carolina in June 1826 age 73.  The mother of two children, only one lived in 1900 and she could not read and write.  Her husband, George Cooper was born in Virginia in February 1826.  Evidnetly, the one child they had was Agnes C. Cooper (father George born in Virginia; mother Jane Graves  born NC), born on Christmas Day (great present) in 1854 and passed away of the flu on March 23, 1915 buried Ladoga Cemetery.  
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COPE, George Henry --George is a completie, as I like to call them.  One who has a complete birth and death; however, no parents are known at this time :(  Source: Hunt & Son funeral home records, 1912-1960 compiled by Norm Creamer-- 1944 -- Cope, George - no dates.  Buried County Farm -- Source: Indiana Certificate of Death #28154. Died  Sept 26, 1944 at 6:30 p.m. - Cardio vascular death certificate signed  by Dr. Wm. Taylor. Laborer.  Lived at Farm 1 year.  Divorced.  Parents  unknown. County Farm superintendent, informant.  Buried in the County  Farm Cemetery 9-28.
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COX, Paul Henry -- one of the best of the usually pathetic Certificate of Deaths (67=033342) from the poor house, Paul was born September 16, 1897 and passed away August 21, 1967 with complete dates and parents (John Cox and Mattie Rumple).  He lived at the poor farm for more than 35 years and was buried there by Hunt & Son Funeral Home
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CROCKET (T), Alexander -- source for this man buried there is the Weekly Argus News on Feb 10, 1900 p 1 (died Feb 5).  Alexander Crocket, an old colored man who was in the employ of Thompson & Bland, horse dealers for a number of years, died yesterday (sic) at the poor farm.  He was 75 yeras of age.  The burial took pace at the cemetery on the county farm.  His death record stated that he, too died of a cerebral hemorrhage of a 3-day duration, dying on the 6th.  He was born in VIrginia and died at the county "Haus".  Buried; County Farm. No parents were listed
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DAY, Morgan -- Indiana Death Certificate (Montgomery County) 334860 indicates that Morgan died in the Montgomery County Home November 20, 1919 and was 59 years old.  Thanks to Kim H we find him with his parents (who married in Montgomery ounty Jan 27, 1837)  Bryant Day and Charity Johnson in the Putnam County 1860 & 1870 census .  He was buried by Proffitt & Sons on November 22, 1919 in the "Montgomery County Pauper Cemetery.
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DAY, William Andrew -- was born in Russellville, in the county South of ours (Putnam) on March 6, 1875 and died at the home Source: Hunt & Son Funeral Home Records, 1912-1960, compiled by Norm Creamer. Day,  William A. died 17 October 1950 in the Montgomery County Farm of cardiac failure, Dr. Fred Daugherty.  Buried 19 October  County Farm.  Born 6 March 1875 Russellville, Indiana Father: William B.  Day.  Mother: M. Beckelheimer  Died Cardiac Failure.  Day Laborer.
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DICKERSON, Andrew Jackson -- Although the information regarding Andrew Jackson Dickerson is short, it is indeed fairly complete -- Source: Hut & Son Funeral Home Records, 1912-1960.  Compiled by: Norm Creamer, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana.
He Died 27 August 1946 Montgomery County Poor Farm via cardia failure (Dr. Fred Daugherty).  Born  Montgomery County, Indiana 3 January 1874 son of William Dickerson born  in Indiana and Tempy Floyd born Indiana.  He never married and his mother was Tempy Floyd.  He was buried at the farm on the 28th by Hunt & Sons.  
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DOUGLAS, Evie Esther Vail -- Parents were Sam Vail and Martha Spillman, according to her Death Record (#2216 Local #10).  She passed away at the poor farm of chronic nephritis.  Dr. Fed Daughter, long-time county farm doctor signed her records and Utterback & Murphy were the undertakers who buried her "in the County Farm Cemetery." Do not know the day she was born but according to the 1900 census, it was in September 1850. The DR just says 1850.  She married William H. Douglas 16 February 1898 in Montgomery County Bk 3 p 9.  
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DUDLEY, Elias -- It was rare to find a Black person dying in the  poor house.  Several  notations were made throughout the newspapers stating this fact, but  Elias Dudley who had lived with his daughter and son-in-law on the 1900  census (born April 1834 in North Carolina - both parents born in NC) did  indeed die there 23 June 1900 of arteriosclerosis and senile dimentia.   He was a carpenter and was buried at the "Poor Farm" the next day by  Carver & Carver, Undertakers
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EDWARDS, Hiram -- his obituary in the June 23, 1881 p 1 Crawfordsville Star City News - says that Hiram aged about 60 died at the county farm yesterday. It does not say he was buried there but more than likely would have been.  He does have two other obituaries we need to read 25 June 1881 p 5 Weekly Review & Sat. Eve Journal 25 June p01.  
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ENGEL, John --  Source: Hunt & Son Funeral Home 1912-1960 compiled by Norm Creamer  who worked for them and was a great genealogist - thanks to Norm we not  only have John Engel buried in this cemetery that in 1963 was indexed by  the wonderful DAR gals but only with 9 people listed. Thanks also to my  buddy, Kim H. who has found a few buried here but who has spent hours  linking these unknown folks to their parents, brothers, sisters, etc.   Thanks kiddos.  John was buried the day after his death down "on the  farm!"  Seth Swank, superintendent of the Poor Farm at the time John died there evidently knew nothing about this man as parents, birthplaces ... are all blank.  So sad.  Do know he suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage for six days before his death.  RIP
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ERVIN  - this name is definitely intertwineable with ERVIN and definitely believe the spelling is IRVIN however certain sources say the other spelling - see also IRVIN

ERVIN, Jacob.  -- the Crawfordsville Weekly Review Feb 14, 1908 p 4 has  a tiny notation of his death, "Jacob Ervin, aged 79, died Monday morning at he County Farm and was buried there by Carver & Carver undertakers.  Funeral and burial this morning in the cemetery adjoining the farm."  His Death Record 1908 p 164 was very hard to read but this is what I gathered from it - kbz - Jacob Ervin died County Asylum, Union Township, Montgomery County, Indiana Feb 10, 1908 age 70 years of LaGrippe, heart and rheumatism.  Dr. WG Swank.  Married to Martha Erwin.  Born 1 June 1838. Father was Robert Erwin born Ohio. Mother unknown born Ohio. Jacob married Nancy J. Carver 26 Sept 1867 in Montgomery County, Indiana.  He could not read/write.  
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ERVIN, Oscar Lane -- born August 1, 1881 to Joe and Alwilda Lowery Erwin and died (of bronchial  pneumonia) November 2, 1933 at the County Poor Farm.  He was a common laborer and never married.  His name was found as Erwin, Ervin, Irvin, Irwin, and on his WWI Draft paper, he was described as "thin, medium tall, gray eyes with dark brown hair."  
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FARVER, Gilbert
1938 Funeral Home Director.  Funeral was on Jan 7, 1938 at the County Poor Farm.  He was “retired” but did not give an occupation.  Charged $60 for the funeral, casket, box, clothes.  “Wind Blowing colder. No snow on ground.  Born 1863 in Virginia.  Died Jan 4, 1938.  Father: Samuel Farver. Mother: Margaret.  Chronic Myocarditis
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FAY(E), Jacob
Although I do not see a Death Record to prove he is buried here, this small obituary indicates such

Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Thursday 29 September 1892
Jacob Fay, an inmate of the poor farm, died yesterday and was buried today.

Note: I only see him in the 1860 Waveland, Brown Township Census at age 36 as a cabinet maker - single - if anyone knows anything about him, do let me know

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FINK, Thomas -- was 25 years old living in the 1870 Fountain County Poor Farm and listed as "idiotic."  Evidently, he spent his 92 years mainly in the poor farms as he passed away at that age on 9-24-1937 of a cerebral hemorrhage.  W.L.Murphy, local undertaker buried him in the "Montgomery County Farm cemetery," the next day.  
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FISHER, Arthur -- born May 17, 1881 in Ingham County, Michigan and died at Culver Hospital, Crawfordsville, Indiana November 2, 1961.  Parents were unknown according to his Death Certificate 61-039063.  He passed from gastric carinoma which he had suffered from for six months.  Buried in the "Montgomery County Home Cemetery by Hunt & Son Funeral Home."  
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FRANCIS, Maxwell -- Source: Hunt & Son Funeral Home Records 1912-1960 compiled by Norm  Creamer.  Thanks Norm and special thanks to Kim H. as she has been  diligent to hook these unknown folks to their parents, brothers,  sisters, etc.  What a great labor of love. Francis, Maxwell  died 8 December 1940 County Farm Buried there 10 Dec at age 66 Years.   Father: John Francis - Mother: Catherine Martz.  He was sick but one die and had a gastric hemorrhage - Dr. Fred Daughtery, who was the County Farm doctor took are of him.  The informant was Virgil Francis - Buried 12-10-1940 "Montgomery Co. Farm" -- on his Social Security card, it states he was born 19 March 1874 Crawfordsville and parents were John Francis and Kate Marsh.  
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GERBRICK, Samuel -- Oh, my, the Gerbrick family kept Kim and me entertained for days.  So many tales about this interesting, wild family.  For one thing, his father, Michael died at the poor farm himself -- as he had 33 kids by 7 wives (although I think 7 marriages and 6 wives) but "someone" out of the North came down on the train, spent just enough time to go to Oak Hill cemetery and pay for a gentleman's burial there.  Samuel wasn't as lucky, as he died at the poor farm, as well, but lay in a pauper's grave.  Samuel was tagged as a "life long" idiot and died and buried at the farm.  He died of cerebral degeneration and was very sick for the last 11 months of his life. (Dr. FO Schenck, the Poor Farm Doctor and Bert Knight, County Superintendent gave the information on his death record) Born 1874 Knox County, Indiana died Nov 30, 1915.  Oh, and his mother was Almorine Williams.
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GLEASON, Robert Edward -- Source: Hunt & Son Funeral Home Records, 1912-1960, compiled by Norm Creamer, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana. Robert  E. Gleason. Died 13 Feb 1953 County Home. Buried County Home 14  February 1953.  Born 28 August 1885 in Indiana. No parents listed. Robert  E. Gleason married 5 October 1914 Danville, KY to Dicie M. Todd -  probably him.  Parents: Edward P born Rising Sun KY.  Saloon keeper. Dicie  May Todd born May 18, 1895 Somerset KY.  Canning Factory worker.  Father: Harvey Todd born Frankfort KY laborer - mother not filled-out -  "dead"
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GRAY, Adam - this one gave Kim and me both the heebeejeebies.  See if it does you?  Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana 7 November 1874 p1 --
Esquire  John W. Ramsay started to the County Asylum this morning shortly after  10 o’clock to conduct an inquest over the body of Adam Gray, the insane  pauper who died there last Tuesday morning. Gray was buried at the  Asylum late on Tuesday evening. The circumstances of his death and the  condition of the body when discovered on Tuesday morning seemed to  justify suspicious or foul play and make an inquest  necessary.  The conversation of the inmates and one or two of their  outside friends freely indulged in for the past few days, implicated  Lawson, the superintendent, who was arrested this morning by Marshal  Ensminger. The inquest has not been finished, and we are of course  unable to say how much if any, evidence there is to justify the  suspicion of murder against the Superintendent. From Daniel Mann, a  stone cutter on Green Street, who was intimately acquainted with Gray  and a frequent visitor at the asylum, we get the following statement:   Mann was working in the stone yard on Tuesday when Lawson came to him  and told him that Gray, being troublesome had been put in a cell about  10 o’clock Monday evening where he was found  dead on Tuesday morning.  Mann visited the asylum on Tuesday evening. He  asked to be allowed to see the body of the dead man.  Lawson made no  objection, and he proceeded to the coffin. He found the lid fastened  down, but succeeded in removing it sufficiently to allow him to see the  front of the dead man’s body but not enough to examine it thoroughly. He  found an ugly bruise on the forehead and right side of the head which  he thought could not have been made by a fall, but was probably the  result of a stroke with a slung shot or club. He had time only to make  these observations before Lawson arrived. He then asked permission to  watch the body during the night. This was granted, but Lawson returned  in a short time and stated that he ws going to bury the man that night.   The burial took place accordingly, and he had no further opportunity to  examine the body. Mann also states that an inmate of the asylum named  Murphy, and others who saw the body, declare that there was a large hole  in the back of Gray’s head from which the blood had run, forming a  large pool on the cell floor. He speaks freely of the affair as “this  murder.” Lawson, as already stated, is under arrest, and will have a  preliminary examination as soon as the inquest is concluded, if there is  any evidence discovered to justify the charge made against him. Until  such examination public opinion will be suspended, as he may be proved  to be entirely innocent, as we sincerely hope he is.
Adam Gray, the deceased, was about 32 years of age. He was sent to the Insane Asylum from his home near Whitesville, two or three years  ago, leaving a wife who has since married and moved away.  He ws  returned as incurable and has been an inmate of the county asylum for  about 15 months.  Later – Persons who attended the inquest until the  time of going to press state that a post mortem examination of the body  of Gray developed nothing that would sustain the suspicions against Mr.  Lawson and the jury will probably return a verdict of that effect. There  were some ugly bruises on the side of Gray’s head but none but what  might have been caused by falling. – transcribed by kbz
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GREENLEE, Andrew J.

Death Record Local #113.  Died Aug 30, 1896.  Born July 10, 1848 in Indiana age 57.  Died at County Farm Laborer.  Father – Mother all unknown.  Informant: Will Greenlee.  According to Kim on FindAGrave he was married to Nancy Jane Wray in Jefferson County Tennessee on Feb 20, 1883.  They had Robert Edward; Charles William; Caroline Fern and Leonard E.  Nancy Jane died 16 Dec 1914 and is buried in Oak Hill.
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GRIFFITH, Francis

Born about 1770,  died after 1850.  Francis was found at age 80 in the 1850 Poor Farm census.  He was born in Maryland.  Can’t imagine he’d go anywhere at that age (he was listed as aged and a pauper).  So we put him here to honor him and unless we find he is not buried there, here we’ll leave him and Rest In Peace, Francis.

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HARDMAN, William

Source: Montgomery County Death Record #148
died 9-21-1905.  Sick from Aug 1st with valvular heart disease.  WG Sigmond, MD.  He was single, no record of birth but was said to be 61 years old.  His occupation was pauper.  He died in the “County Infirmary” and was “buried at the Poor Farm,” on Sept 22, 1905.  He had lived at the Poor Farm for 15 years.  

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HALL, Idell -- was born January 23, 1906 in Montgomery County and died there July 15, 1970 at 7:10 p.m., Dr. Wesley Shannon.  According to her death certificate #70-026806 she was never married, her parents being Jacob and Flora Hall.  Cause of death was Metastic carcinoma and was buried in the "County Farm Cemetery," on July 17, 1970 by Hunt & Son.
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HAY, Jacob

Note: As with many of my Poor Farmers, I do not see him in the local Obituary Index or the Death Records -- also spelled the name HAY & HOY - to no avail. Here is the proof that Jacob HEY (Hay; Hoy) is buried here
Source: Dunbar, C.B. - Account book of Superintendent of Montgomery County, Indiana - 1860-1897
In 1891 section -- on March 18, 1891 when Jacob Hey came to live at the farm he was 75 years old born in Germany - he died Sept 27, 1892 and "was burried on County Farm"

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HAYS, Charrley "One Armed" -- In the 1870 census, Charley was a saloon keeper with $150 worth of personal property. In 1880, he is a policeman (on son's christening).  In  the 1900 census, Charley is born June 1850 born in Indiana both parents  born Kentucky, living with his mother, America Warren (Born May 1818)  and his brother, Benjamin born July 1837.  On his brother's Death  Record (Benjamin Franklin's) the parents are listed as George J. Hayes  and America Johnson.  George died 7-3-1903 and is buried at Oak Hill. -- Thanks to Kim H for finding his obit for us :)  Source  Crawfordsville Daily Journal 30-Apr-1904 p. 5 ---Death  of Charley Hays, One-armed Charley Hays for many years a noted  character of this city, died at the county poor farm Friday, after  having suffered a few weeks with cancer. Hays has been here for years  and was well known. The funeral occurred this afternoon in Potter's  field at the poor farm.
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HAYS, Charlie -- Few colored people dwelled at the farm and when they ended-up there, they would work hard to get out.  Charlie worked hard to not get in but he never got out as he died a few months after becoming "an inmate" there. -- Born about 1853-54, he was only 46 years old at his passing on September 25, 1898 --Source: Crawfordsville Review, 1 October 1898 --Charlie Hays, the  well known colored boot-black, died at the poor farm last Sunday night  of consumption at the age of 46 years. The deceased has been a resident  of this city for a number of years and was known by almost every person  in the county. He had been an inmate of the poor farm but a few months  previous to his death. The funeral occurred Monday. - thanks to Kim H  for this obituary
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HUFF, John -- died Feb 24, 1889 --Crawfordsville Review,Crawfordsville 2 March 1889 -- You  that are always complaining of your share of this world's fate should  have seen poor John Huff who died at the poor farm, Monday at the  advanced age of 75. After battling with a cruel world and seeing the  bright sunshine of a happy and prosperous career he succumbed to the  dealings or a mysterious power and throwing off all vestige of pride  entered the paupers' home. He welcomed death and the remains were laid  to rest in the county grave yard, a pauper without a friend to regret  his death.
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HUFFMAN, John -- probably born in Germany this poor man went insane was taken to the state insane asylum but returned "incurable," and left to the county for care.  He passed away after April 1897 but was at that time 92 or 93 years old, so imagine he died not real long afterward.  Proof that he is buried here - we don't have any but he really couldn't be buried anywhere else - RIP John Huffman -- Birth: 1805, Germany Death: unknown - Montgomery County Indiana, USA [Edit Dates] -- Although  we are not 100% positive John is buried here, he is 75 in the 1880  census and has lived at the Poor Farm for many years, so it is likely.  We will let John Huffman Rest In Peace here until found out differently -  kz-kh.  Source: Weekly Argus News, April 3, 1897 p 2. John  Robinson went to Indianapolis this afternoon to bring back John Huffman,  who is in the asylum for the Insane at Indianapolis. Huffman has been  pronounced incurable and he will be placed in the county asylum. - kbz
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IRVIN, Martha Gleason -- the wife of our Poor Farmer, Jacob Irwin she was born about 1845 and died the day after the holiday on July 5, 1918.  She grew up in the area, daughter of Phineas (Finny) Gleason from England and his wife Mary (Pile) born Ohio.  Martha was born in 1845 and was "73" when she passed.  "Buried at County Farm on July 6. She and Jacob (see Erwin above) were married on January 13, 1870.  It is unknown if they had children but it is doubtful :(
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JACKSON, James

Born: About 1821.  Died 2 January 1891 at the Montgomery County Indiana Poor Farm
Source: Account book of C.B. Dunbar, Superintendent of the Montgomery County Poor Farm (dates are from 1867-1897 but don't think he was there that long) p 9
Dec 8, 1890 – James JACKSON – 70 – American – Colored – Died Jan 2, 1891 – Union Twp – Sick & Rumatise & Kidney – died hemorrhage of kidneys – buried on County Farm
He is also listed in the WPA Death Record book
JACKSON James M 70 January 2, 1891 Montgomery Co. BK 4 p 5

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JACKSON, Sanford - Sanford was "about 67" at his death on July 12, 1936 at the County Home.  He was colored and single.  Cause of death, with many in the home was a "cerebral hemorrhage."  He was buried in the "County Home Cemetery." According to his deth record, 1936 p 9 he was a laborer.
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JOHNSON, Mary E. -- According to her skimpy Montgomery County Indiana Death Record, p 197,  1901, she passed away at the poor farm, having an occupation of a "poor  farm inmate," on May 23, 1901 at 9 o'clock a.m. of Heart Disease  according to Dr. Paul J. Barcus, the Poor Farm doctor.  She was "born in  Ohio" and was buried on the poor farm 5-23-1901.  No parents were  listed and the informant was the Superintendent, George Myers.  Rest In  Peace Mary
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JONES, James -- was born in Kentucky about 1859 and died at the County Poor Farm October 19, 1928.  He was never married and died at 5 in the morning of bronchial asthma. Parents were unlisted and he was buried by Proffitt & Son, Undertakers "in the Montgomery County Pauper cemetery."
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LEAMING, Joel -- The Crawfordsville Weekly Review Saturday May 1, 1897 states, "the oldest in years of any inmate of the county poor asylum, Joel Leaming, by name, died on Thursday afternoon and was burried (sic) in the cemetery belonging to the farm next day.  Leaming was near 90 and in the days before railways, carried on the flouring mill business in Ripley Township quite extensively for those times, and his brand of flour had an extensives sale. Bad luck, however, came to him and some years since he lost all his property. He had been an inmate of the farm only a few years.  Previous to that time he resided with his daughters, two of whom are living  in Montgomery COunty.  Thanks to Kim Hancock, we now know a bit more - he was married twice, Rachel Barnhart and Hannah Matilda Smith and four of his children were: Marshall; Columbus; Mahala; Ida.  
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LEFFEW, James B. -- Quite a tragic affair surrounds this man.  Born in Tennessee in about 1865, he died in Crawfordsville on October 20, 1899, having taken poison by his own hand.  He had been discharged from the Army (131st US Infantry).  When he arrived at the Pacific Slope, he was rejected due to physicial disabilities so he headed back home to find his wife had sued his for divorce.  Certainly, it was too much for the young man.  Although he had quite a large sum of money when arriving home, he blew much of it on drinking and such and at his death had a mere $2.  "The body of James Leffew was taken to Carver  & Bobbins (sic - it is Robbin's) Undertaking establishment after his death last week and Saturday it was buried at the expense of the township.  -- buried in a Pauper's Grave without even a word of respect said for him - how sad is that/
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LONG, Elenor E. - the wife of Henry Long, Elenor was born October 21, 1871 and died in Crawfordsville at the county home on December 15, 1932.  Note: I find no Henry marrying Elenor anything :(  HELP ON THIS ONE !!
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MARTIN, Francis Marion - "Frank" -- little is known about poor 'ol Frank --- Francis  (in Death Record Montgomery County Indiana) Marion (from 1910  Montgomery County Census) Martin died at the Montgomery County Infirmary  on June 16, 1935 at 5 p.m. of myocarditis. He is listed as 74 years old  but the DR does not give a date of birth.  He was buried at the "County  Farm" on the 18th by Hunt & Ratcliff, undertakers.  His parents are  not listed however on his Marriage License to Mary Ida McWhinney (she  died Sept 26, 1926 and is buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, father John  mother Nancy Thomas)it states his  parents are Ben and Mary Avery. They were married 13 April 1901 and  according to the 1910 and 1920 census, they had no children.  RIP my  poor farm buddy - glad we could place you here :). Source:  Although in the poor farm  census it says he was born in Indiana the  Hunt & Son Funeral Home records 1912-1960 by Norm Creamer say he was  born in Kentucky age 74                                                                          
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McCARTHY, -- unknown male  - died April 1860 -- this fella' is a truly sad portion of our Poor Farmers :( -- flesh off one of his, feet,  leaving it a perfect skeleton as high as the ankle joint. He was removed  to the larger building and given more comfortable quarters and on  Tuesday Dr. Mead, the county physician, amputated the leg just below the  knee. When removed. McCarthy was found to be very feeble, and the  doctor thought by amputating the limb his life might be saved, but it is  very doubtful whether he can survive long. It was his right, foot that  was eaten by the rats. the fever sore was on the left leg near the  ankle. That the rats are up, McCarthy's foot there can be no doubt, and  that he would have been literally carried out at the rat holes, there is  little doubt. He had been removed only a few minutes when at least a  dozen rats were seen on his bed. That the old man should have been  neglected in the manner detailed to us is unaccountable. We hope for the  honor of the Superintendent and the keeper some better excuse can be  given for neglecting a human being in this manner, than any we have yet  heard. We give the matter as it was detailed to us, and have every  reason to believe the details above to be true. - thanks to Kim H for  finding this :(
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McCAW, James -- Although most of the Catholics (assuming since he has an Irish name) who died at the Poor Farm are buried in Calvary (Catholic Cemetery), it is not certain if James is Catholic and he is not listed in the cemetery records by either the Church of the one the DAR ladies did in the 1960s, and we do know he died there according to the Crawfordsville Star (August 25, 1887) on August 21, 1887 at age 40 so we assume he is buried in the poor farm cemetery
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McCLURE, Frank -- (James Franklin - "Frank" ) -- died at Westbrook Nursing Home 5-12-1961 (born 10-5-1897 in Indiana) but had lived at the county home for many years.  Pat Newlin the home's superintendent, gave the information for him and his obituary of 13 May 1961 says that he was "buried 5-15-1961 in the Montgomery County Home Cemetery.  His parents were James McClure and Mary Spore, full name James Franklin McClure.  His WWI Draft card listed him as medium built, medium height, brown eyes and hair.  
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McHENRY, Millie Stubbenfield -- Source: Hunt & Son Funeral Home Records  1912-1960.  -- Millie McHenry  died 12 January 1937 (5:30 p.m.) at the County Farm.  Buried 14 January at the  County Farm. Born: 15 December 1854 Montgomery County.  Father: Wesley  Stubbenfield Mother: Lavona Unger
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McNEELEY, Albert - according to the 1900 census, Albert was born in September 1870 and died August 11, 1952.  His parents were William H. and Phoebe Thompson McNeeley and he had at least 8 brothers/sisters (thanks, Kim H).  Love to find more about him
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MILES, Eliza
Source: 1937 Funeral Home Directory
Funeral on Feb 3, 1937 at 11 a.m.  Age: 50
Casket, Box & Service  $60.00
Born: 1887
Died Feb 2, 1937 County Home at 12 __M
Place of Funeral U-M Chapel
Single
Father: GW Miles b Ind
Mother: Margaret Caplinger b Ind
Dr. FN Daugherty
Interred County Home Farm
March 2 – received check from county for $60
Wm. L. Murphy brought body to Funeral Home.  Mrs. Carver helped prepare, dressed and placed in casket Wednesday.  Morning service at 11 a.m.  Burial at 2 p.m.

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MITCHELL, Charles
Born: 23 Jan 1834 Montgomery County, Indiana.  Died 8 March 1914 Montgomery County, Indiana
His Death Record #248 states he was buried in the County Farm Cemetery. Father: Orval. Mother: Melinda (Myers) Mitchell. Died at the County Poor Farm of chronic nephritis. Dr. F.O. Schenck attended him from January 2 to March 8, 1914. He was a single man

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MITCHELL, Louisa
Born about 1825
Died 10 Sept 1897 Montgomery County Poor Farm
Source: C.B. Dunbar's County Poor Farm Superintendent book (thanks so much for letting me borrow this awesome source, Heather Laffoon).
page p 13 -- Received into poor farm: 10-22-1892 -- age 67 "American" -- Died Sept 10, 1897 - charge to Brown Twp - idiotic - buried on County Farm
Note: I'm a pretty good researcher after 50 years and I know my own county well but did not find anything else on this gal so without the wonderful poor farm book we'd not know Louisa existed / died :( RIP

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MITCHELL, Morris -- Morris Mitchell lived at the Montgomery County poor farm for a few years  until he was declared insane in April of 1897 and sent to Indianapolis  to the state insane asylum.  It was the policy at the time to return  them after they were declared legally insane.  In the April 17, 1897 p 1  Weekly Argus News "Morris Mitchell (colored) an inmate of the county  poor farm, who was recently adjudged insane by a lunacy commission, was  taken tot he state asylum for the insane at Indianapolis this  afternoon." It is not known for  sure how long he stayed but by the 1900 census, he was back at the  Montgomery County poor farm.  He died there on August 25, 1900 at 6 p.m.  of consumption.  He was buried at the poor farm the next day.  No  parents were filled in and he was listed as about 24 years old, thus the  guesstimate of 1876 as his birthdate. Rest in peace, Morris Mitchell  !!! - kz-kh
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MITTY, Samuel -- Source: Utterback Funeral Home Records, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana. --Samuel  Welty died 11-30-1914 at the County Farm.  Buried on the farm.  He was  born in Indiana but no age, parents, etc was given.  His casket/box  costs the county $18.00 embalming $5.00 and the team to take him the  short distance to the county farm cemetery another $5.00, totalling  $28.00.  Dr. Frank Schenck was the doctor.  "Buried County Farm Cemetery." Died of Chronic nephritis. NOTE: Leaving the above to show that at one point we thought his name was WELTY but have decided Mitty between his Death Record and obituary -- Note #2:  The 1900 census says  his parents were both born in France, and possibly died here young  which is why he was raised by someone else and why he ended-up in the  poor farm. RIP Sam Mitty. Note #3: His obituary comes from the Crawfordsville, Indiana Journal Dec 1 1914 p5
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MORGAN, Ben --(BEnjamin F.)  one would think that tuberculosis would be rampant in a poor home, but few died of that disease. However, Ben ranked among them, passing away on March 24, 1925 and according to his Death Record (# 9497) he "was buried in the County Farm Cemetery on the 26th."  He was born about 1853
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MORGAN, William - was born about 1858 in Indiana ccording to his Indiana Certificate of Death #2458 and died January 25, 1923 of pneumonia.  He was a laborer and was "buried in the County Farm Cemetery" by Utterback *undertaker)
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MURPHY, Gerald
At the recent (July 2018) play about our county's poor farm written by myself and Preston Dildine, called Down on the Farm, my husband, Jim Zach, was taking tickets and a man gave him a piece of paper (sadly no contact information) with Gerald D. Murphy on it. Nothing else but he told Jim that his grandfather's stone (Murphy's) was just an old wooden cross, not in the county farm cemetery per se, but near the road on a colored base so that mowers would know a cemetery stone is there. He wanted me to know that - hope he enjoyed the story and wish I knew his name and more about Gerald Murphy (sadly, research gave me no death record, obit ....)
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NUNAN, Rebecca A. (Morgan) Hoffa -- was the last wife of three of Patrick James Nunan, who was born Feb 11, 1852 at Waynetown and passed away April 3, 1927 in Crawfordsville.  He is buried at Calvary Cemetery.  His wife, Nancy Morrison Nunan (July 17, 1874 - July 17, 1901) is buried at Inlow Cemetery at  Ladoga - Patrick's wife, Elizabeth Booker (born in George on Halloween, 1857 - thanks Kim H died June 11, 1911) is buried at Oak Hill with her first husband, George Henry Hoffa.  Patrick J. Nunan married Rebecca A. Morgan 23 March 1915 in Montgomery County.  She is in a listing as Rebecca Neunum in the Crawfordsville Journal Review 19 May 1931 p 10 - need to read that soon.  
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OWENS, Owen
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, 1 August 1891
Trustee Hartman was sitting peace fully in his office July 29 when Charley Myers, who lives north of the city entered and after twirling his hat on his thumb in an embarrassed manner, said "Squooze me, Mist Hartman, but de oder day I found dot "Sassafras George" lying down in de road mit a sunstroke and if it had been mid-winter dot man would have been frozen to death."

George Courson, or "Sassafras George," as he is known, is a familiar object to our citizens, as for many years the old root peddler has plied his "trade in this vicinity. He would frequently get drunk and was overcome by the heat the other day when picked up by Mr. Myers. Mr. Myers took the old fellow to his own home but as he failed to improve he applied to Trustee Hartman and "Sassafras George," aged 63, is now in the county asylum.

Owen Owens, aged 81 years, who has lived in this county nearly all his life and who is one of our very oldest citizens was also committed to the same asylum by the trustee yesterday.

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PASSMORE, Henry -- was born February 1847 (1900 Jackson twp, Tippecanoe County Indiana census) in Ohio and died May 26, 1924 in Crawfordsville (Death Certificate #19872) born in 1848 age 76 years.  A Day laborer, he died of chronic intestinal nephritis at 4:30.  No parents are listed, but he was "buried in the county farm cemetery by Undertaker, John Utterback on June 28th.
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PAYNE, Katy Hopkins --  Born about 1832, Katy died and was buried at the farm February 15, 1901.  Little is known about this poor gal.  RIP dear Katy. Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal,22 February 1901 -- Mrs.  Katy Hopkins Payne, aged sixty-nine years, died last Friday of  paralysis at the county poor house. She had been an inmate of the place  for just two years to the day, coming from New Richmond. The funeral  took place Sunday at the poor farm where she was also buried.
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PERKINS, Edward

Death Record 244 Union Twp Montgomery County, Indiana
Died County Farm Feb 13, 1911 – nephritis & aremia – Dr. FO Schenck
Age: About 46 years
Single
born Minnesota
Father: George E. Perkins b Ind
Mother: Mary A. Ball b Ohio
Buried Montgomery County Farm Feb 14, 1911
JC Barnhill Crawfordsville

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PORTER, Polly Ann -- The 1880 Poor House census lists her there as age 35 and an idiot.  Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, 25 August 1893 -- Polly  Porter, an inmate of the county asylum, died Wednesday, aged about 50  years.. She was received from Clark township about 25 years ago. Nothing  is known of her history, and being feeble minded she could give no  intelligent account of her parentage. Thanks so much to Kim H for this  one - proves she was here - God Rest Your soul, Polly P --Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Review Saturday, March 14, 1885 -- Polly PORTER - is one of the bad ones;  she is a maniac of the worst description and then one of her "spells"  comes on she makes things hustle. She is what might be called a  jibbering idiot - tame enough on some occasions but when her anger is  up, "look out." She was chained to the floor but would not show the  chain to the newspaper man, nor would she tell him why she was compelled  to wear it. "Won't do, won't do," she screamed with a wild shake of her  head and a laugh that would frighten a timid person. She is kept  chained about all the time. Her age is 37 and she has been an inmate 9  years.
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PRINE, John
Source: C. B. Dunbar - Account book as Superintendent of Montgomery County, Indiana Poor Farm - dates from 1865-1897
p 15 -- Entered June 11, 1896 - John PRINE -- age 62 - American died Oct 11, 1896 -- charged to Union Twp. Sick got drops - born in Montgomery Co Ind - buried on County Farm

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RANKIN, Jack
Funeral 2 p.m. June 14, 1939 – from MoCo Funeral Home Records
Born 1859 died June 13 ,1939 6 a.m.
Died at the County Farm b KY
Widower
Occupation Day Laborer
Father: James Rankin b. KY
Mother: Nancy Martin, b. KY
Dr. FN Daugherty
Myocarditis
Interred County Farm Cemetery
Casket, Box & Clothes $60
Hose, Callar & tie  
Supt Swank called at 6:P30 a.m. said Jack Rankin was dead and asked to come for the body, brought to funeral home and prepared, used D-C and cavity treatment.  Mrs. Carver helped, dressed and place in Casket Tuesday evening.  Burial Wednesday afternoon.

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RECORD, Susan -- obviously, her last name doesn't fit in her case as there is practically no record concerning her.  Too much guessing and no facts.  We do know she died on the 10th of February in 1890 at the Poor Farm and is buried there, otherwise the newspaper was more interested in how much it had cost the county to take careo f her :(  Read on,  you'll see -- Crawfordsville Review February 15, 1890 The Oldest Pauper, Susan  Record, the oldest pauper at the poor farm and an inmate longer,  perhaps, of such an institution than any other in the state, died on  Monday afternoon.  The record of inmates show that she entered the  county asylum in the year 1840 at age 60 years of age. This would figure  her residence there at 50 years and her age 110 years. This last is not  believed  to be correct and her age is thought to be about 85 years.  Her husband, many years ago,  committed suicide on account of some crime charged against him, and her  children, some three or four in number, she had not seen for along time  before her death. The cost of board for the old woman was probably $200  per year. This for fifty years would make the sum of $10,000 that  Montgomery county has paid for her maintenance.
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ROBINSON, Arch
Source: Dunbar, C.B. - Account book for Montgomery County Poor Farm p 17
Jan 22, 1890 - received Arch Robinson age 40 "American" - died June 16, 1890 - buried County Farm (charge to Union Twp) - sick with LaGrip (sic)

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ROSS, Francis M. -- A 15-year-bout of chronic diarrhea finally did this poor man in.  Birth: 1831 Death: Nov. 20,  1900 -- Montgomery County. Indiana, USA [Edit Dates]. The  source proving that Francis M(assume Marion) Ross died and is buried at  the Montgomery County Poor Farm is his Death Record 1900 #  p 95 #9.   The County Farm doctor, Paul Barcus pronounced him dead on the 20th of  November in 1900 after taking care of him from the 30th of the previous  month.  He had had chronic diarrhea for 15 years and ended with complete  exhaustion.  He was "69" so assume born in about 1831.  Buried the next  day at the Poor Farm.  Only hint of a parent was his father was John  (no birth place and no mother listed)  RIP FMR
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ROSS, Laura
Born ?  Died 8 Sept 1900 Montgomery County, Indiana
Buried: County Farm Cemetery

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RUSH, Alonzo J (Long)  -- Birth: May,  1855, Montgomery County, Indiana, USADeath: Feb. 16,  1932, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana, USA. Source: Hunt & Son Funeral Home Records 1912-1960 p 49.   Alonzo J. Rush died 16 February 1932 Age 76 - Died & Buried County Farm
Source: Waveland Independent newspaper, Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana.2-26-1932 -- Alonzo  Rush, better known here as "Lon" died at the County home on Tuesday  morning. He has been in poor health for some time.  He was 74 years old.   He made his home in Waveland for many years and while deficient  mentally, he was very industrious. He lived for a long time in a small  house near the stock pens and later with his sister, Mrs. Sam Nye.   Funeral services were held at the Home Cemetery this morning. His death  removes a familiar figure. Source: 1900 census, Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana with Aaron and Lucinda Miles. He was born May 1855 and is listed as a farm laborer. Note:  Alonzo and Ruth Anna Rush Nye were the children of Jesse Rush and Ina  Porter.  They had at least two other brothers, Thomas and Churchill  Rush.
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SAMPSON, Mary "Aunt Pop" -- Aunt Pop was one of the celebrities of the Poor Farm.   On March 14, 1885 in the Crawfordsville Weekly Review, Aunt Pop was described as such : Polly  SAMSON - Everybody who has resided in Crawfordsville for any length of time knows "Aunt Pop" Samson and many will remember the lively tongue lashings she gave them when younger, when they attempted to "guy" her on the streets.   Aunt Polly is just a little bit "queer," and declares emphatically that she has not a friend on earth. She seems to enjoy herself well at the asylum and her shrill voice and laugh chills a man to his marrow bones, while she gazes at him through her "specks" with a loony leer. She is 77 years old  and has been an inmate three years going and coming when she pleases.
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SERGENT, Joseph Thomas

Born: 1822 Russell County, Virginia
Died 26 August 1865 Montgomery County, Indiana
Buried: County Farm Cemetery
Chris M. contacted a friend of mine who contacted me, in turn, and together we have found other bits and pieces about this man. Joseph Thomas Sergent was born in Russell County, Virginia, about 1821 or 1822. With his family (children of Elijah and Elizabeth Horton Sergent) he migrated to Morgan County, Kentucky between 1840 and 1850. He had close to a dozen brothers and sisters. His father was a fairly large farmer when he moved to Morgan County and a War of 1812 soldier. Joseph Thomas joined Company B 24th KY Infantry (with Capt. Carey) on October 8th, 1861 (at Camp Taylor, Kentucky) for a period of three years. He and wife Sarah (Sally) Ann Blair whom he married May 3, 1849 in Morgan County, Kentucky by Justice of the Peace Kendall, already had five of their six children when he eft for duty (Thomas; Mary Jane; James Patrick; Lucy and Cerilda Susan). Luckily (or, perhaps unluckily) he was released (December 31, 1861 in Lexington) in less than even the normal 3-month period. This was due to hydrothorax, which is fluid build up, although it may have been on his heart, lungs, or anywhere. He was listed as dark completed with blue eyes and dark hair. At 5'11" he was very tall for that time. His mother was quite a midwife in the area where they lived and delivered some of her grandchildren.

On the 27th of May in 1862 he evidently received the official discharge in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. Some time before the end of the war (definitely by Jan 4, 1865 when Joseph and Sarah joined the Methodist Church in Crawfordsville and were free - accepted because they lived in the poor house and after he began receiving his pension in Morgan County KY on Sept 2, 1863) they came to Montgomery County; however, it is unknown as to why vs. staying in Morgan County, Kentucky for help from family members.

At any rate, while here on June 9th, in 1865 their last child, Arminta, (called Minnie) was born in Crawfordsville (found on her death record). On the 26th of August in 1865 (likely his day of death) the whole family was found (pension papers) living in Crawfordsville, "in a log cabin school house" on the poor farm.

By 1870, Sarah with only Arminta, age six, are back in Kentucky, Blair Mill Precinct in Bangor, Morgan County.

One source says he was buried in the LC Lewis Cemetery (which is also known as the Blair Cemetery) in Morgan County, but I can't imagine with six children and living at the poor farm, that she could pay for him to (believe both his parents were gone by them so no help there) be taken back to Kentucky; therefore, I am opting to leave him "resting" here until further notice ! RIP young man who seemed so full of life until the great strife of our war between the states :( kbz

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SHAW, George W.

Source: Dunbar, C.B. - Superintendent of Montgomery County, Indiana Poor Farm - account book p 18
SHAW, George W. admitted Oct 27, 1896 -- born North Carolina -- died Oct 29, 1896 -- Remarks: "Can not live but a few days -sick stomach trouble - charge to "Clark Twp" - BURIED ON COUNTY FARM

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SIKES, Samuel -- My poor farming buddy, Kim H found Samuel.  He must have suffered for sevearl years before dying there with tb -- Birth: 1869 Indiana, USADeath: Jun. 20,  1902. Montgomery County Indiana, USA. Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Montgomery County, Indiana 27 June 1902 p 12
Sam  Sykes died Friday afternoon at one o’clock at the poor farm where he  had been an inmate 12 years. He has had consumption for a number of  years and it at last caused his death.  He was buried at the farm  cemetery Saturday morning.  His mother and a step father are living near  the Hibernian Mill. His name seems to be interchangeable as Sikes and Sykes.  
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SMITH, Archelus - Kim found Archelus in the 1850 Mortality Schedule for Montgomery County. Thanks so much to Kim H. for doing so.  We are adding Archelus  (Archaelus?) here because he was listed as a "PAUPER" on the above  record, dying in 1850 of Chronic Dropsy.  Although we do not and may  never know exactly the date we are lucky to know he died in November of  1850.  Hopefully, we'll find more of our little man.  Although not 100%  sure he is buried here, at age 60, and living we assume at the poor  farm, he is about 95% not going to be buried anywhere else.  So,  Archelus Smith, whom we know so little about, RIP right here with your  comrades until we know differently.
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SMITH, Sarah
1842 – 14 May 1889 Montgomery County, Indiana
Buried: County Farm Cemetery
Source: C.B. Dunbar - Superintendent of Montgomery County Poor Farm - account book - loaned to me from Heather Shull Laffoon - her grandmother had purchased this book at a yard sale years ago 1860-1897
p 18 - Jan 3, 1880 admitted - Sarah SMITH - age 38 "American" Died - May 14th 1889 - "Buried on County Farm"
Guestimated birthdate - death is correct

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STEWART, Byron -- Born about 1855, Information from: Hunt & Son Funeral Home Records Byron  was an insurance man until about his 8th decade but was injured in an  auto accident a couple of years before he passed away thus went to the  County Home.  He died 21 Sept 1937 there and was buried there the next  day.
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STONEBRAKER, John Williard -- died July 29, 1920 (Death Certificate #25993) at the poor farm and "was buried by Proffitt & Sons" there on July 31, 1920.  He had epilepsy for years and was a widowed man, born about 1872.  Love to know more about him
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STUDEBAUGH, Jerry
Born 1838 Ind
Death 31 July 1925 County Farm, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana
Widowed born about 1842 sick from Nov 1 1924 to Jan 31, 1925 – Uremia – chronic nephritis; arterio scherosis – heart disease
Born Indiana – father name and bpl don’t know – ditto for Mom
Information from County Farm Records died Feb 2, 1925 Undertaker John G. Utterback
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STUMP, Daisy Maude -- Born April 23, 1881 in Montgomery County, she died August 3, 1957 here, as well.  Marilyn Walker provided information on Daisy.  Although no father was listed (may have been out of wedlock) her mother is listed as Mary Stump Owens.  She was "buried in the County Home Cemetery on August 5, 1957 by Bright Funeral directors," according to her Death Record 57-027010.  She too died of a crebral hemorrhage at 11 in the morning.
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SUITORS, John

Date of Funeral April 13, 1939  (Funeral Home records) – at 2 p.m.  
Died April 12, 1939 3 am. At County Hospital.  Funeral at County Farm
Divorced b Ind
Casket, Box & Clothes $60
Dr FN Daughterty – carcinoma of throat – INTERRED County Farm Cemetery
Hospital called at 3:15 a.m. to Supt. Swank of County Home telling him of the death of Mr. Suitors who called and asked that we call for the body.  WL and I brought it to the funeral home for preparation, used Surity 3-5-8 and cavity treatment and B-G treatment for sore on the mouth.  Service at County Farm Cemetery Thursday 2 pm.

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TAYLOR, Henry -- was born in Indiana in 1851 and died at the County Farm on January 6, 1933 of myocarditis. No birth date was given on his Deth Certificte #2539 but age was 81.  He was buried the next day by Hunt & Ratcliff "on the county farm."
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THOMAS, Willis
Died Montgomery County Home Union Twp, Montgomery County, Indiana
Born: Aug 21, 1851
Died: Nov 6 1938
56 Y 2 M 15 D
Occupation: Laborer
Died of Cerebral Hemorrhage & Nephritis
Dr. Fred Daughtery
Buried: County Farm
Father : William N. Thomas – nothing else known about parents
Source: Funeral Home Records No 45 for 1938
Willis Thomas
Date of Funera: Nov 7, 1938
at 2:30.  Age: 87 Years 2 months 15 days
Born Aug 21, 1851
Died Nov 6, 1938 6 am. At County Farm
Funeral at County Cemetery
Widower
Casket Box & Clothes $60.00

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TOLBERT, John -- although no parents are listed on John Tolbert's Death Record, it does #1 assure he is buried at the County Farm Cemetery and #2 gives complete dates.  Yes!  He was born in Kentucky Feb 1, 1810 and died June 28, 1902 of exhaustion.
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UNDERWOOD, John P. - from the 1900 census, we know that John was born in Ohio on November 1828 and died at the Poor farm May 12, 1902.  Only a tiny mention of John's passing was found in the Crawfordsville Sunday Star May 19, 1902 p 6 John P.  Underwood, age 78 years, died last Sunday at the County Asylum).   However, his death record tells a slight bit more (1902 Record #356  Montgomery County, Indiana) saying he died from a cerebral hemorrhage on  the 12th of May in 1902.  The informant was William E. Brown and he was  buried on the 13th of May in the County Farm Cemetery by Carver &  Carver.  He was a cooper, born in Ohio.  Age 78 but no birth was given.  In the 1900 census, he is living in the poor farm and gave his birth as  November 1828.  Nothing was listed for his parents at all.  Sad we don't  know more about this man :(  Sorry, John - RIP
Note: My guru  helper for the Poor Farm folk is Kim H and she found this additional  little obit - not much but we've found if they have anything at all,  it's a major blessing :)  
(Source): Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, 16 May 1902, Died at the County Farm. John  P. Underwood, aged years, died at the county poor farm Monday morning  at 1 o'clock, from general debility. Mr. Underwood came to the poor farm  from Alamo and had been an inmate about two years. The funeral will  occur at the asylum tomorrow morning and interment will be at the  cemetery there.

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 16 May 1902
 
John P. Underwood, aged 78 years, died at the county poor farm Monday morning at 1 o’clock, from general debility. Mr. Underwood came to the poor farm from Alamo and had been an inmate about two years. The funeral will occur at the asylum tomorrow morning and interment will be made at the cemetery there.

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VAIL, infant of Eva Esther
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Thursday, 15 October 1891
The infant child of Eva Esther Vail died last night at the poor farm, and was buried today. It had been sick for some days.

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WALLACE, Henry -- definitely NOT Lew Wallace's son, Henry as there is 3 years difference in birth, nor would he be at the Poor Farm; however, At any rate, THIS Henry Wallace was found (by Kim) on the 1850  Mortality schedule at the young age of 23, listed as a Pauper dying of  Chronic Dropsy. With no death records or obituaries in that time frame,  we are not 100% sure Henry Wallace is buried at the poor farm, but it is  probably 95% likely.  At any rate, here is where Henry will RIP until  further notice! - kz & kh
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WARD, Mary A.K. -- Well, duh, why didn't I think to check the Mortality Schedules for our  paupers, but alas, I did not, so thanks so much to Kim H. for doing so.   We are only assuming that she is buried here but she is listed as a  "pauper" in the 1850 census dying with consumption.  Her name could  easily be Mary Ann Katherine Ward and since those names are Irish, she  could be buried in the Catholic cemetery (as none of their paupers were  ever buried at the poor farm,; however, none seem to have stones at  Calvary either), but until we find otherwise we will let Mary A.K. Ward  rest in peace - kz & kh
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WILKEY, William H. -- William Wilkey was 63 years old, never married and lived a few years  before his death at the Montgomery County Poor Farm.  One source, the  Hunt & Son funeral Home records notes he was buried at Masonic  Cemetery but his death record #2537 says and it seems more likely, that  he was buried on the 4th of January at the Poor Farm Cemetery.   Informant was Dumont Kennedy and the Poor farm doctor, Dr. Daugherty  took care of him when he had his cerebral hemorrhage and died at 6 p.m.   He was born in Montgomery County, Indiana but no parents were given nor  do I find other Wilkeys in the area. In the 1900 census, he is living  in Vine Street and is listed as a nephew to Ira Weliver, he is born in  June 1862.  In 1880 he is living with Charles Wilkey and Malinda, but I  do not think that Ancestry is correct in linking this William Wilkey to  this family.  Still a mystery here but at least we have THIS William  accounted for - RIP bud
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WILLIAMS, Andrew --  born about 1855, he passed away at the County Farm April 2, 1900 -- not a great deal is known about him but here it is: Source: Indiana Certificate of Death 1900 p 391 - Anderson Williams.  Male White Single.  Died Poor House, Union Township, Montgomery County,  Indiana April 2, 1900 at 5 o'clock.  Dr. Paul J. Barcus cared for  Anderson from January 1st, 1900 to April 2, 1900 when death occurred at 5  o'clock a.m. of pulmonary consumption and exhaustion.  Father: Anderson  birthplace unknown; Mother: Unknown. Age 45 born Indiana Died County  Farm.  Buried County Farm on April 2, 1900 (didn't waste any time).   D.C. Barnhill buried him and the death was reported by George F. Myers,  Superintendent of the farm
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WILLIAMS, Rita Mae -- born May 30, 1961 died the next day daughter of Robert and Beverly Frazee Williams twin sister of Tina Mae
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WILLIAMS, Tina Mae -- born May 30, 1961 died on June 1st.  See above - there are few stones at the County Farm cemetery but the twins have a nice one.
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WILSON, Obediah
Born: 1816 KY Died 22 July 1892 Montgomery County, Indiana

Source: Dunbar, C.B. - Account book for Superintendent of Montgomery County, Indiana Poor Farm
Entry for "LOGAN" Wilson (not Obediah and the death is off by four days (see obit) but I am assuming this is the same person since there are no other deaths at the Poor House by Wilson in 1892)
Arrived May 19, 1891 -- age 75 born Kentucky Died July 22, 1892 - "Burried" on County Farm
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Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 30 July 1892 p 1
Obediah Wilson, aged about 80 years, died July 26 at the poor farm. The old gentleman was a well known character in the city and has lived here for many years. His death was due to a nervous complain from which he has been suffering for some time. – kbz
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WRIGHT, Robert Lee
Birth Certificate #14778
Crawfordsville Union Twp Montgomery County Indiana
Born: March 25, 1918
Father: Charles E. resides Reelsville (Russelville – think Reelsville) father age 44 farmer
Mother: Donnie Lee Miller resides same b Monroe Co KY
2nd child 2nd living
Death Record 026382 – Montgomery County IN – Culver Hospital for one week
Robert Wright died 7-26-1965 Born: 3-29-1918 ((sic) Age: 47
Male White
Father Unknown Mother Donna Unknown
Informant: Pat Newlin – Supt. Mont Co Home
Diabetic – since late 1960 died 10 a.m. 26 July 1965.  
Buried 7-28-1965 Montgomery County Home Cemetery RR #4 Crawfordsville
Dr Richard Eggers – Hunt & Son Funeral Home


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THANKS SO MUCH TO KIM H & let me tell you, we're not done :)





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