Lately there have been some questions about the County Home in Clearfield and I remembered these (among others) which appeared on this list back in 2000 from Gloria Davis. Remember there was no Social Security or health insurance all those many years ago. Many old folks were sent to live in the County Home. My mother had a fear all her life that she never wanted to go there to die as her mother-in-law had. A HOYT was manager of the home for a number of years and when my grandmother LAWHEAD needed special care it was the place to go. She was not there for long and the last few weeks was senile. I visited there when home a few times in Sept - Nov 1955 and it seemed no different than a nursing home of today. I miss the articles from the old newspapers - does anyone have access? Claire Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 23:37:34 -0500 From: "kg_davis" <kg_davis@email.msn.com> To: PACLEARF-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <015601c03e3d$4de42b60$b6b4163f@oemcomputer> Subject: [PACLEARF] CLEARFIELD REPUBLICAN - May 23, 1902 - Out at the County Home Out at the County Home The following County Home news items came to this office from an inmate whose reputation for truth and veracity was always good: Late at night dinners and luncheons are not as numerous as they were a few months ago. Neither are the evening visitors so plentiful. They must have been attracted by the bill of fare. The visit of the last Grand Jury came near causing a panic in the family of the Steward. They didn't expect the Grand Inquest until the next day and things were out of order some. When the word came in that they were coming HOTON almost collapsed. He was bolstered up by the family and received the visitors with the best grace possible. He invited them out to see the barn. This gave the folks time to brush tings up and push the dust and other things into the corners. There was more activity and hard work done in that half hour the Grand Jury spent at the barn than ever before witnessed at the Home. So when they came in from the barns where the pigs were so thin the surroundings were not so awful bad, not by a hundred per cent of what they would have looked like had the main buildings been inspected first. That recommendation about more Christian reading in the Grand Jury report reads nice. There is no complain among the inmates for more Christian reading, its Christian treatment we want more of. For instance take John TOOHEY's coffin. HORTON buried old John in one of the cheapest cases we have in the Home. Then when the friends of John came for proof of his death to get the insurance money they carried on his life with which to give him a decent burial, HORTON said he had given him the best coffin in the house-a twenty dollar case. When Undertaker LEAVY raised John's body to transfer to the cemetery they found the case to be one of the very cheapest. Commissioner DIEM said it cost about six dollars. Some of the inmates say HORTON had tears in his eyes and some in his voice when he told John TOOHEY's friends what a nice old man he was; how they all liked him, and how he had given him the best he had in the shop. No, it isn't Christian papers we want so much. The inmates would like to see some grand jury come out here unannounced and hold a few sessions for the purpose of obtaining testimony from the inmates themselves. Plenty of the inmates could tell interesting stories under oath if they were assured there would be no "paying dear for it" afterward at the hands of those who might be hurt. As the hot weather approaches the sick are growing uneasy. Last year there was more suffering here among the sick because of neglect than anyone can ever tell of. Several of the inmates who have seen better days and have been around some in the world among men and have participated in the affairs of the community got together not long since and formulated a few questions they thought pertinent for submission to the Steward should a grand jury call him to give testimony under oath. These are the questions: "Do you think than an imbecile is a fit person to attend sick inmates of the Home hospital? "Do you think a weak-minded man like Peter ZIMMERMAN should be drafted for duty as nurse when there are so many supposed strong-minded people on the payroll? "How many times did you go in to see Harry CHESTER when he was laid up with an injured thigh? "Do you think old and feeble inmates should be compelled to look after the sick when you and those about you receiving salaries are doing nothing? "What kind of food is served to the sick? Does it differ from what is served at the regular meals? "Do you solemnly swear under oath that the sick are properly cared for?" If it were possible to get the testimony of the sick in this Home for the past year in the papers some of their friends would feel like pulling off their coats when they saw Stewart HORTON driving through Clearfield comfortably seated in the easy-riding surrey drawn by the County Home colts. The only assuring thought now experienced by the inmates of this Home is that 1903 is only a few months distant and then HORTON will be only an unpleasant recollection. Please print this and correct mistakes. I would like to tell all I know on the witness stand in a libel suit. Robust Inmate kg_davis@email.msn.com ICQ 40792946 Gloria Butler Davis ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1902 County Home News Editor Republican: The letter from the Home in last week's issue has "stirred up the animals" more than a little. While no threats are made it will not be well for your correspondent if his identity can be firmly established. The inmates read the Republican last week with unusual interest. Although they do not express undue delight it is not difficult to see they coincide with all that was told. Several have since hinted that they "could much truth unfold" that would prove good reading did they feel sure they would not have to suffer afterward. The suggestion about having the inmates testify before a grand jury, after being guaranteed protection, was well received generally, although several of the weak-kneed and the few favorites refused to admit it would be wise. There are invalids here at present whose testimony ought to be taken before it is too late. There are also many old people here now who will not be here much longer and what they know should be on record somewhere. I mean what they know of the treatment received in the past year or two by those who have gone out of this world. The reference in the last letter to the coffin used to bury John TOOHEY has brought out more facts. The coffin was not intended for John at all. That day word came to the Home that an Italian had been killed on the new railroad work and his body would be brought to the Home for burial by the county. Nurse HUTH was ordered to prepare a coffin, one of the cheapest. He also had a grave dug. When they went after the Italian he wasn't dead, only hurt. In the meantime John TOOHEY conveniently died and his body was placed in the Italian's coffin. This was the "$20 coffin" HORTON told TOOHEY's friends about. "One of the best in the Home, because we thought so much of John," is the way he expressed it when he wanted Mr. CRAIG, of Brisbin, to pay the $20. Robust Inmate

The county home was a red brick complex on old 322 next to the current Lock Haven branch campus which is on the east end of Clearfield. My understanding was that it was a place for the poor and most likely handicapped of the county to live. Most counties had these in the late 1800s to mid 1900s. In those days many people who were inconvient for their families or who were a severe strain on family resources were likely to be admitted without much formal inquiry. If they were able, they would be expected to work the farm the home was sitting on. I would look for probate or family court records to find evidence of who was there. I am in social services now in Ohio where up until the 1960s admission to these places was easy. Now Ohio has turned many into assisted living facilites and the residents pay to live there. Closing institutions has corrected the abuses of willy nilly placing people in them for life. Unfortunately it currently leaves a lot of disabled trying to find housing and care and extras like clothing and paper towels on $550. Clearfield also had a Children's Home which operated until about the 1970s. At first they took only ophans, but by the last twenty years more and more of the children were placed as being in one parent families where the one parent was unable to care for them. Jean

In a message dated 10/26/2005 4:21:54 PM Eastern Standard Time, cunhel@comcast.net writes: Who can I contact to obtain information about a resident at the Clearfield County Home in 1901? What was the Clearfield County Home used for, and when did it first start, does anyone know? Heather

The Pennsylvania Historical Association recently announced the publication of "Native Americans' Pennsylvania," by Daniel K. Richter. According to Charlene Mires, Associate Professor of History at Villanova University, the 100-page, illustrated volume is the latest in the Pennsylvania History Studies Series, which conveys current scholarship to educators, students, and other general readers. For information on this and other titles, visit http://www.pa-history.org/pastudyseries.htm . Alice Gayley -- Coordinator, Clearfield County, PA, USGenWeb Project http://www.pa-roots.com/~clearfield/ Co-Coordinator, Armstrong County, PA, USGenWeb Project http://www.pa-roots.com/~armstrong/ Co-Coordinator, Jefferson County, PA, USGenWeb Project http://www.pa-roots.com/~jefferson/

Who can I contact to obtain information about a resident at the Clearfield County Home in 1901? Michele

Can anyone confirm how to get in touch with Umbria Cemetery Assn? I have tried dialing 814-339-6745 but the phone just rings... Is this a wrong number, or is the office only staffed on certain days/hours? Trying to find out "for sure" exactly who is in my JAMES family burial plot; it has space for multiple individuals but only one name on the marker -- Bessie May JAMES (died 1905 age 17) I know her father John Christopher JAMES (d. 1945) is also there. And possibly her mother Mary Alice (McMANAMY) JAMES. But would like to know for sure who all is in there! Thanks for any advice/help! Luann

To any researchers interested in information on John B Ardery, son of Robert and Mary Ardery, I have found his death records and would be willing to share them. Please contact me directly. Michele

I am looking for death records for two persons who died between 1900 and 1910. They lived in Kylertown. Their families all lived in the area but I have not been able to locate their death records or where they are buried. Since the Clearfield Progress was not active until 1917, what newspaper would people in the area have subscribed to? The Raftsman's Journal? Were there obituaries in there? Michele

Thank you to everyone who helped me to contact Matt Franson at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Clearfield. He has been quite helpful. Michele

I do not rem seeing this on the Clearfield list but I had sent it in reply to cunhel. > > From: Claire White <gen67@bellsouth.net> > Date: 2005/10/21 Fri PM 04:46:46 EDT > To: "cunhel" <cunhel@comcast.net> > Subject: Re: Re: [Clearfield] Clearfield County Cemeteries > > Oh, yes Mary was married twice, she was Mary Holly married first to Franklin Lawhead and then to Elisha Ardery. They are both buried in Centre Cemetery just about a mile south of Hyde PA. Franklin was a son of my gr-gr-grandparents. I have a complete inventory of Centre if you want me to look something up. > > Claire > > > > > From: "cunhel" <cunhel@comcast.net> > > Date: 2005/10/19 Wed PM 10:52:29 EDT > > To: "Claire White" <gen67@bellsouth.net> > > Subject: Re: [Clearfield] Clearfield County Cemeteries > > >

In a message dated 10/20/05 3:25:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time, EDONWILT@aol.com writes: I would like to have it known that X-Message #2 in Volume 05 : Issue 129 was a copy of the e-mail that I sent to the church where the headstones are going to be destroyed. I sent a blind copy to PACLEARF-L in order that all list members could read it. Maybe if the church gets enough negative response to their actions they will rethink what they plan to do. Don Wilt That's good Don, but this cemetery is in Bromyard, Herefordshire, England. I don't think they would have American Rev. War soldiers buried in it. A lot of Clearfield County ancesters came from Herefordshire though, and I felt they should know incase they had found ties to Bromyard. Renee Waring

I would like to have it known that X-Message #2 in Volume 05 : Issue 129 was a copy of the e-mail that I sent to the church where the headstones are going to be destroyed. I sent a blind copy to PACLEARF-L in order that all list members could read it. Maybe if the church gets enough negative response to their actions they will rethink what they plan to do. Don Wilt Graves Registration Officer Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War General George Wright Camp 22 Sacramento, California

Sirs, City fathers in California have bulldozed headstones to clear the way for a public park and vandals have destroyed headstones in York County, PA. Now I hear that even the church feels that it has the right to desecrate the burial sites of loved ones. Should you feel the need to remove headstones, at least have the decency to disinter the remains and move the grave to a sight more convenient to you. As Graves Registration Officer for the "Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War," I would be most interested in knowing if any of the headstones you deem necessary to remove are of Civil War Veterans. Or for that matter, men who served in any war. Headstones dating back to the 1800s may be of men who fought for the freedom of America in the Revolutionary War. If the headstone is one that has been placed by the Military, it is a Federal Offense to remove and/or destroy it. Don Wilt Graves Registration Officer Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War General George Wright Camp 22 Sacramento, California

This should not be. They chapel should find another way to renovate and not disturb a sleeping place of the older generation. Leah

Michele - The Clearfield Historical Society has a complete inventory of every tombstone in maybe 8 or 10 softcover booklets and with a donation, I am sure someone would look up some names for you. Maybe they even know someone who has the complete burial records records. Some very old tombstones across the road in a very old section may have been missed but may have been unreadable as I know some of my relatives are there. Claire Lawhead > > From: "cunhel" <cunhel@comcast.net> > Date: 2005/10/18 Tue PM 05:20:55 EDT > To: PACLEARF-L@rootsweb.com >

Thanks to Patsy, Jocelynn, Carol and Don for your generous help! I am so grateful you have gotten me past this brick wall!!! I am now positive that this Florence HUSTED is "my" Florence JAMES-- not only is her sister's husband (Hiram BABCOCK) in the household in 1910, but Florence's "baby brother" Albert JAMES is there too in 1900 -- (and I had not been able to find him between 1880 and 1910, what a bonus!) Whether Florence (JAMES) HUSTED really is a widow...?? we wonder!!!! It's possible Henry HUSTED died between 1893 (birth of last child) and 1900 census. However, Carol in Michigan found a Henry HUSTED in the 1910 Miracode index Enumeration District 0091, Visit # 0175, Clearfield Co. Henry HUSTED, birthplace PA, age 40, head of household, Wife Sophia 39 Scotland Son Goerge 17 Pennsylvania Son Wilbur 15 Pennsylvania Daughter Helen M 22 Pennsylvania Florence was age 48 in 1910 so this Henry is 8 years younger. It may well be a nephew (or someone other than her spouse.) I had searched the Tioga 1880 census and found just one Henry HUSTED in Brookfield Twp. He was age 13, a farm laborer in the household of Rufus A. and "Cynthid" A. STANTON Since this boy would have been just 14 at the time of Florence's marriage (Dec 1881) I assumed he was not the same person as her spouse. (Although, anything is possible!) In any case, thanks to all for your wonderful help! Luann

I have ancestors who are interred at the Hillcrest Cemetery. Since nearly everyone from this immediate family was interred there, I am hoping that some of the missing siblings will also be there on the records, even if there is no tombstone. Is anyone familiar with this cemetery? Is it active? How can I access records? Michele

People with family graves in the grounds of the Congregational Church in Bromyard are being invited to claim the old gravestones. The gravestones, most of which date back to the 1800s, are due to be moved when the chapel is renovated. Anyone who believes they have relatives buried there can check the record of the headstones held by the Bromyard & District Local History Society. If they can establish a family link they will be able to see the headstones at the church in Sherford Street by arrangement with the owners, the charity Preservation. Headstones can be removed if families wish. Any gravestone not claimed by November 30 will be disposed of. -------------------End of quote I know no more about this beyond the email address for the B&DLHS which is: bromyard.history@virgin.net

If you are referring to the Obituary Board on the Clearfield USGenWeb Project site: Go to http://www.pa-roots.com/~clearfield/ and click on Source Data under the On-Line Data Section then scroll down to Obituary Board. To go direct to the Obituary Board for October 2005: http://www.pa-roots.org/cgi-bin/data/clearfieldobit.cgi?#876 Alice Gayley RAVENIA@aol.com wrote: > The entry concerning obit page and listings - where are these obits listed? > I am interested in the Osewalt entries. Is there a place where I can read > these obits? > > Jan > > Ask me about hypnotherapy or Reiki for pain relief, healing energy, spiritual > emergency, past life regression > -- Coordinator, Clearfield County, PA, USGenWeb Project http://www.pa-roots.com/~clearfield/ Co-Coordinator, Armstrong County, PA, USGenWeb Project http://www.pa-roots.com/~armstrong/ Co-Coordinator, Jefferson County, PA, USGenWeb Project http://www.pa-roots.com/~jefferson/

The entry concerning obit page and listings - where are these obits listed? I am interested in the Osewalt entries. Is there a place where I can read these obits? Jan Ask me about hypnotherapy or Reiki for pain relief, healing energy, spiritual emergency, past life regression