First, a little historical background. Poorhouses originated in England in the 1600s. Widespread poverty, war, and famine left many citizens destitute. Churches tried, but failed, to help the needy, sick and homeless. Fearing riots, Parliament acted in 1601 to provide relief for the poorest.
Colonists brought poorhouses to America in the 18th century. The first was in Boston.
Over the next century, the flow of immigrants into the U.S. from Europe increased dramatically. Many arrived with few possessions and little money. The young and able-bodied could work. Housing and feeding the poor, elderly, widows, sick, disabled and misfits was left to churches and neighbors.
Early law in Michigan also instituted fines for paupers’ relatives who did not provide housing and food for them.
Charities struggled under the burden, requiring state and local governments to act. Michigan law required every county to have at least one poorhouse and to submit annual reports on conditions (some were clean and well-maintained, while many others were filthy and falling down).
Counties levied a “poor tax” on residents to fund poorhouses, as well as provide “outside assistance” to those who had housing but little else.
A person could only be admitted if they were deemed “worthy” by order of a County Supervisor of the Poor or Supervisor of the County. People who were deemed “unworthy,” received no help.
Conditions in many poorhouses were terrible and behavior was strictly enforced. “Spirituous liquors,” disorderly conduct, and profane language were forcefully prohibited.
Able “inmates” (yes, that is what they were often called) were required to work inside the house or outdoors growing produce and cutting wood.
Society looked down on poorhouse residents. They were called lazy and cheaters. To be in a poorhouse was considered shameful. As a result, towns shifted poorhouses to rural settings where they were less visible.
Little history exists on the Cheboygan county poorhouse and poor farm. We do know it opened in 1866.
In 1886, the old Cheboygan County Hospital, near the M-33 junction, was converted into the “county poor farm.” It was three miles out of town and rather invisible. A barn was later added so inmates could grow food and keep a few cows. It was two stories and had no bathtub. Washtubs were used to clean up.
In the Jan. 7, 1894, edition of the Democrat, the Supervisors of the Poor solicited bids for medical care and undertaking services.
The Oct. 12, 1899, Democrat detailed the annual fiscal report issued by the County Supervisors of the Poor, W.H. Merritt, J.F. Degrow and Jacob Walton.
The cost for 27 inmates who stayed at the poor farm all or part of the year totaled $2,716.93, including $480 for the keeper’s salary, $422.23 for food, $177.78 for clothing, $117.33 on farm implements, $3 for funeral expenses and $519.27 (over two years) to build a barn.
The article also listed the names of the 27 people who lived at the poor farm.
Aid to 825 transients and destitute people who did not live on the farm but needed assistance (called “outside expenses”) totaled $5093.58.
The Aug. 17, 1901, Democrat reported an elderly widow deeded her farm to the county to pay for her care at the poor farm. A prominent local Great Lakes sailor and Civil War veteran, Capt. E.A. Bouchard, discovered that her husband had also fought in the war. He went to work on her behalf and succeeded in securing a pension of $8 a month and
$1,000 in backpay. The Democrat reported that the pension “should be ample for her to move to a charitable home for old ladies” (a step up from the poor farm).
In 1942, the Cheboygan Daily Tribune reported that Bertha Thompson served a ham dinner to 15 residents of the “County Infirmary.”
The poor farm was in operation until 1943. Over the previous decade, the federal government had created the beginnings of a social safety net (Social Security and Aid to Families with Dependent Children), easing the burden on local governments and struggling families.
The property was sold to Earl Worthington, who remodeled it into six apartments, tore down the outbuildings and added two cottages.
For 15 years in the 1950s and ‘60s, local legend Quincy Leslie was chair of the county’s Department of Social Services Board of Directors.