On the 7th of June, 1855, the County Commissioners purchased of William C. Pennock, for $3,000, the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 26, Township 35, Range 6, and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 27, same township and range, and Mr. Pennock became, by appointment, the first Superintendent of this, the first poor farm owned by the county. Upon this farm was a respectable dwelling, which for a short time did duty as a home for the county poor.

Prior to this, the care of the county paupers had been entrusted to such responsible persons in the county as were willing to assume the charge, at from $1 to $2 per week, each person. There was not a township that did not have, in its time, some pauper in the care of its citizens. Physicians contracted to furnish all county paupers with suitable and necessary treatment, at so much by the year. At length the board felt able to furnish the poor and helpless with that home and care not obtained when parceled out among divers widely scattered individuals. Mr. Pennock rented the Poor Farm of the Board, conditioning to retain two-thirds of the productions, the county getting the remaining third, besides which he was to board the paupers at $1.50 each, per week, exclusive of the expense of sickness. The care of the poor continue in about this shape until 1855, when a contract was entered into with George C. Buel, to erect a frame poor house, 32, x 45 feet, for $2,482, $500 to be paid on the 1st of January following, $1,000 on the 1st of March, 1856, and the remainder in county bonds, to be issued on the last date, payable in one year with 6 percent interest, the house to be ready for occupancy on September 1, 1856. The building was immediately constructed, and is yet in use, though additions and improvements have been added.

In March 1866, the board purchased for $3,200 the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 26, Township 35, Range 6 West, as an addition to the poor farm. IN September of this year, there were fourteen inmates. On the 16th of June 1875, the Commissioners purchased of W. C. Hannah, for $1,200, all that part of the northeast quarter of Section 35, Township 35, Range 6, which lies north and east of Salt Creek and south of a line drawn parallel with the north lie of said quarter, and distant seventy rods and thirteen feet south therefrom; subject to this year's (1875) taxes; the same to be an addition to the poor farm. On the 9th of June 1876, the Commissioners purchased for the $1,200 the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 27, Township 35, Range 6, except ten acres off the south side, and this was also made a part of the poor farm.