For several years prior to 1895, taxes had been levied in Platte County to purchase and establish a poor farm. By the beginning of 1895 about $8,000 had been set aside for that purpose and the board of supervisors announced that enough money had been raised to buy such a farm. However, there were many who did not favor the purchase. Finally, at its November 6, 1898 meeting, the board voted to buy 240 acres located five miles north of Columbus for $7,500 from Orson D. Butler and Margaret L. Butler. Platte County operated its poor farm for more than 50 years. Because of the limited capacity of the dormitory-residence, no more than nine men were at the farm at any given time. Boredom and isolation were factors that prompted most to leave as soon as they could arrange living elsewhere. The farm itself produced crops just like any other in the area.
I have tried to retain the original spelling of names (which may not have been correct) when transcribing the records. Please keep that in mind when searching these records. Also, please note that you will need to scroll to the right to read the entire entry on each person.
Name Date Age Sex Nat'lity Place Township Upon Whose Date Remarks
Received of Birth Order Received Discharged
Alscher, Frank 30 Jan 1903 46 M German Germany Burrows Peter Bender 2 Oct 1907 Platte Center
Alscher, Frank 10 Aug 1909 51 M German Germany Columbus Louis Schwartz 11 Jan 1910 Left unceremoniously
Anthony, Marion 30 Mar 1913 61 M American Iowa Columbus Adam Smith 11 Apr 1913 Left on his own account
Alsher, Frank 1 Dec 1914 57 M Austrian Bismirk M.E. Clother 15 Jun 1916
Alsher, Frank 8 Jan 1917 58 M Austrian Woodville George Anderson 16 Aug 1917
Brindley, George 18 Aug 1905 41 1864 English Illinois Columbus Louis Held 7 Sept 1905 Hospital Columbus
Borchers, John 18 Oct 1906 66 1840 Deutchland Allenburg Creston John Gutz 6 Apr 1909 Taken to Lutheran Home at Lincoln
Beck, George 7 Oct 1909 70 Man Austrian Austria Columbus Louis Schwartz 1 Mar 1910 Left on his own account
Beck, Matilda 7 Oct 1909 59 Woman Austrian Austria Columbus Louis Schwartz 1 Mar 1910 Adjudged insane taken to insane asylum Norfolk, Nebr
Beck, George 10 Oct 1911 73 Man Austrian Austria Columbus Louis Schwartz 31 Mar 1913 Left on his own account
Benson, Don 14 Apr 1917 63 Man Austrian Columbus J. B. Kyle 22 Apr 1917 Died
Bruen, John 6 Feb 1918 68 Man Germany Columbus J. B. Kyle 9 Feb 1918 to care for self
Bruen, John 10 Mar 1921 71 Man Germany Columbus Fred Bean
Blankenship, Wesley 14 Jun 1921 31 Man Columbus Fred Bean
Blankenship, Mrs. 14 Jun 1921 30 Woman Columbus Fred Bean
Blankenship, Margaret 14 Jun 1921 7 mo Girl Columbus Fred Bean
Blankenship, Daisy 14 Jun 1921 11 Girl Columbus Fred Bean
Blankenship, Dorothy 14 Jun 1921 7 Girl Columbus Fred Bean
Blankenship, Agnes 14 Jun 1921 5 Girl Columbus Fred Bean 25 Jun 1921 to care for self
Braun, John 10 Aug 1921 71 M Swiss Switzerland Columbus Fred Bean Norfolk hospital
Bartels, Henry 30 Jul 1927 60 M Germany Columbus Walter Matzen 1 Jul 1927 care for self
Behrens, Dave 2 Jan 1929 71 M German Germany Creston Wm Grotelueschen 16 Feb 1932 Taken to hospital--died 3 Mar 1932
Bartels, Henry 22 Mar 1929 62 M German Germany Columbus Geo Bock, police 29 May In hospital
Barto, Ward 15 Apr 1931 60 M American Nebr. Columbus Mrs. Johnson 29 Apr 1931 Left on own account
Bartels, Henry 3 Jun 1931 62 M American Germany Columbus Deputy Sheriff 5 Oct 1931 Left on own account
Brewel, Ruben 18 Nov 1931 22 M American Georgia Columbus Ray Yosten 21 Nov 1931 Left on own account
Bonezek, Joe 9 Dec 1931 47 M Polish Plattsmouth Columbus Mrs. E. W. Johnson 10 Feb 1932 Taken to hospital
Boss, John 3 Feb 1932 70 M Swiss Switzerland Columbus Walter Loseke 22 Jun 1932 Left to care for himself
Bonezek, Joe 18 Feb 1932 47 M Polish Plattsmouth Columbus Dr. J.N. Evans 24 Nov 1934 Taken to hospital--died at hospital
Bartels, Henry 8 Aug 1932 63 M German Germany Columbus Herman Becher 20 Sept 1934Taken to hospital
Bordner, W. H. 2 Nov 1933 73 M American U.S. Columbus Mrs. E. Johnson 21 Dec 1936 Taken to hospital--died at hospital
Boe, Ed 6 Apr 1936 64 M German U.S. Bismark Ed Ashie
Buesing, Gearhard 24 Jan 1937 59 M German Germany Creston Mrs. E. W. Johnson
Bengtsons, John A. 20 Jan 1938 55 M Swede Sweden Joliet Mrs. E. W. Johnson
Cessner, George 10 Feb 1905 51 1853 Germany Germany Walker John Swanson 2 Dec 1905
Corbett, D. J. 16 Jul 1910 40 M American Detroit, MichColumbus Adam Smith 1 Aug 1910 Went to Bridgeport to work
Cline, Albert 19 Dec 1910 M American Penn Columbus Adam Smith 2 Jan 1911 to care for self
Callahan, Con 4 May 1914 56 M Irish Ireland Columbus Adam Smith 20 Jun 1914 to care for self
Carstenson, Chris 2 Feb 1917 46 M German Germany Columbus Adam Smith 2 Mar 1917
Cheriva, Martin 7 Sep 1931 70 M Bohemian Idaho Columbus Mrs. E. W. Johnson 9 Sep 1931 Leaving on own accord
Curtis, Clarence 15 Jan 1934 59 M German Nebr Columbus Walter Loseke 16 Mar 1934 to care for self
Danielson, Charles 18 Nov 1897 27 M Swede Sweden Walker J. Wiggins, Supr 6 Mar 1909 Taken to Insane Asylum
Dugan, D. 25 May 1902 Man Irish Ireland Losscreek C. J. Carrig 21 Jun 1902 Went away
Doll, William 4 Dec 1909 73 Man German Germany Columbus Louis Schwartz 22 Apr 1910 Went to Iowa to work
Davis, Ed 1 Feb 1913 60 M American American Columbus Adam Smith 12 Apr 1913 Left on his own accord
Davis, Ed 15 Mar 1920 67 M American American Columbus Fred Bean 25 Mar 1930 Taken to Columbus Hospital
Davis, George 13 Dec 1922 70 M American American Columbus Fred Bean 27 May 1923 Died
Davis, Ed 9 Apr 1930 67 M American American Columbus Fred Bean Returned from Hospital
Davis, Ed 9 Apr 1930 67 M American American Columbus Fred Bean 21 Feb 1931 Taken to St. Mary's Hospital
Devine, Ed 15 Jun 1931 45 M Scotch IrisCanada Dr. J. North Evans 11 Jun 1931 Taken to jail--crazy
Davis, Ed 22 Mar 1931 67 M " " Columbus Callahan 22 Mar 1931 Returned from Hospital
Davis, Ed 22 Mar 1931 67 M " " Columbus Callahan 2 Apr 1931 Taken to Hospital
Davis, Ed 3 Jun 1931 67 M " " Returned from Hospital 10 Feb 1932 Taken to Hospital
Davis, Fred 5 Feb 1932 67 M American Ill Columbus Mrs. E. W. Johnson 11 Apr 1933 Left on his account
Davis, Ed 1 Feb 1913 60 Adam Smith 25 Jul 1932 Died at Hospital--79 years
Dvorak, Fred 10 Jul 1934 57 Polish United StatesColumbus Mrs. E. W. Johnson 9 May 1936 Went to Mosonic home
Draufe, Rudolph 23 Jan 1937 36 36 German United StatesLindsay Mrs. E. W. Johnson 1 Mar 1937 Left to care for self
Edwards, Wm 9 Nov 1929 74 M Welch Iowa Grand Prairie Frank Turnes 1 Jul 1930 Left on own account
Edwards, Wm 1 Aug 1930 75 M Welch Iowa Grand Prairie Frank Turnes 1 Aug 1930 Returned
Edwards, Wm 31 Aug 1932 77 M Welch Iowa Grand Prairie Harmon Bacher 15 Dec 1936 Left to care for self
Franke, Ernst 24 Aug 1897 26 M German Germany City of ColumbusJ. Wiggins, Supr Went to Hospital
Flakus, Mathew 5 Jan 1898 40 M Polish Poland Butler R.Y. Lisco, Supr 12 Mar 1898 Left - returned 3/18/98
Franke, Ernst 7 Mar 1898 26 M German Germany City of ColumbusJ. Wiggins, Supr 23 Sep 1898 Left unceremoniously
Flaker, Martin 2 Dec 1901 44 M Polish Poland Butler Lewis Held 30 Mar 1902 by an order of the Board
Franke, Ernst 3 Feb 1902 30 M German Germany City of Columbusof the whole Board 7 Mar 1903 Left on his own account
Flakus, Mathew 19 Dec 1919 61 M Polish Poland Butler Fred Bean
Freeman, Wm 14 Nov 1930 76 M American San FranciscoColumbus 11 Dec 1930 Left on his own account
Finecy, C.A. 14 Jun 1932 62 M ? Irish Ed Kavanaugh
Finnen, William 25 Jun 1934 67 M Irish Ireland Columbus Mrs. E. E. Johnson 1 Aug 1936 Left to care for self
Fry, William 3 Nov 1936 70 M Irish Iowa Columbus Mrs. E. E. Johnson 3 Jan 1937 Left to care for self
Guttwald, William R 24 Nov 1899 54 M German Germany Columbus Lewis Held 15 Jun 1901 Suicide at farm
Gerber, Godfred 22 Sep 1904 52 M Swiss Switzerland Butler E. J. Ernst 23 Oct 1904 Went to Hospital
Greer, Ira 7 Oct 1910 M American America Columbus Adam Smith 25 Oct 1910 by order of Supervisor
Greer, Edith 7 Oct 1910 W American America Columbus Adam Smith 25 Oct 1910 by order of Supervisor
Greer, Edward 7 Oct 1910 5 boy American America Columbus Adam Smith 25 Oct 1910 by order of Supervisor
Greer, Frankie 7 Oct 1910 3 boy American America Columbus Adam Smith 25 Oct 1910 by order of Supervisor
Greer, Bert 7 Oct 1910 1 1/2 boy American America Columbus Adam Smith 25 Oct 1910 by order of Supervisor
Gustavson, Emil 10 Apr 1917 45 M Swede G. A. Petterson 5 May 1917 to care for self
Guton, Jacob 15 Apr 1920 60 M Germany Columbus Hector Blasser
Gaul, Zenidra 8 Mar 1930 46 M Polish Poland Columbus Hector Blasser 16 Mar 1930 Left on own account
Gaul, Zenidra 20 Mar 1930 46 M Polish Poland Columbus Hector Blasser 3 Apr 1930 Left on own account
Griffin, James J. 12 Jan 1934 62 M Irish Nebr Columbus Walter Loseke 15 Feb 1938 Left on own account
Hedrick, Aug. 16 Jun 1898 55 M German Germany Loup R.Y. Lisco, Supr 28 Jul 1898 Adjudged insane
Heiltman, John 24 Nov 1898 65 M German Germany Columbus R.Y. Lisco, Supr 20 Apr 1901 Died
Hawkins, Hanah 18 Nov 1899 64 W American Indiana City of ColumbusLewis Held 7 Feb 1907 Died
Hannahn, John 5 Nov 1910 28 M Irish America Columbus Adam Smith 25 May 1925 Norfolk in hospital
Hauck, Aloys 22 Dec 1913 48 M German America Humphrey Adam Smith 19 Apr 1915 Left to care for self
Hendreix, Steve 23 Oct 1932 74 M American Iowa Columbus E. W. Johnson
Harless, Frank 12 Aug 1933 55 M English Iowa Loup Otto Rudat
Hendreix, Steve 20 Feb 1934 75 M American Iowa Columbus Walter Loseke 11 Apr 1934 Taken to hospital
Hillen, John 11 Oct 1935 37 M American U.S. Creston Herman Beacher
Janson, Nels 18 Oct 1899 76 M Dane Denmark Joliet James Kernan 13 Jun 1900 Was taken home
Jenkenson, Robt 12 Jun 1931 63 M Irish Chicago, Ill Oconee C.J.Hultmann 8 Sep 1931 Left on own accord
Jenkenson, Robt 23 Sep 1931 63 M Irish Chicago, Ill Oconee C.J.Hultmann 21 Feb 1932 Left on own accord
Jenkenson, Robt 2 Mar 1932 64 M Irish Chicago, Ill Oconee Herman Becher 14 Sep 1933 Died at hospital
Jones, Lewis 19 Aug 1933 70 M Welch Welch Columbus Walter Loseke 13 Sep 1933 Died at farm
Johnson, Otis 21 Dec 1936 53 M American Ashlom, Nebr Oconee Mrs. Johnson 15 Jan 1937 Left to care for self
Koetz, Wilhelm 24 Oct 1907 63 German ? Bismark Choter 30 Jul 1908
Krumland, Carl 5 Dec 1908 50 M German Oldenburg Columbus Adam Smith 19 Mar 1909 Left unceremoniously
Krumland, Carl 9 Apr 1908 50 M German Oldenburg Columbus Adam Smith 25 Jun 1929 Kearney Hospital
Krumland, Carl 19 Aug 1929 71 M German Oldenburg Columbus Adam Smith
Krihutc, Frank 23 Jul 1931 70 M Austrian Austria HungaColumbus Mrs. E. W. Johnson 27 Jan 1933 Left on his account
Kneff, John 31 Dec 1932 62 M English Columbus Harm Becher 27 Apr 1934 Taken to hospital--died at hospital
Krihutc, Frank 7 Jan 1935 74 M Austrian Austria HungaColumbus Walter Loseke 25 May 1936 Left to care for self
Lubher, W. 21 Oct 1911 49 Man Germany Germany Columbus Luis Schwarz 30 Mar 1915 Left on own account
Linoin, Oscar 1 Feb 1916 56 Man Swede Sweden Humphrey F. Schure 1 May 1917 Left on own account
Linoin, Oscar 15 Dec 1917 57 Man Swede Sweden Columbus J.B. Kyle 14 Mar 1918 Left on own account
Libsy, F. J. 22 Apr 1931 65 Male Butler CountyColumbus Mrs. E. W. Johnson 27 Apr 1931 Left on own account
Lute, C. W. 21 Oct 1931 69 Male American Conn Columbus Mrs. E. W. Johnson 28 Jan 1932 Left to care for self
Lutcherharm, Lewis 29 Dec 1931 62 Male American Platte Co. Columbus Mrs. E. W. Johnson 18 Apr 1933 Taken to St. Mary's Hospital
Lute, C. W. 28 Apr 1932 71 M American Conn Columbus Mrs. E. W. Johnson 30 Jan 1933 Left to care for self
Lute, Charley 13 Feb 1933 71 M American Conn Columbus Herman Becher 4 Nov 1935 Taken to hospital
Lutcherharm, Lewis 25 May 1933 64 M American Platte Co. Columbus Herman Becher 25 May 1936 Left to care for self
Madison, Peter 2 Dec 1897 40 M Dane Denmark John Wiggins, Supr 29 Apr 1895 Sent to hospital and afterwards adjudged insane
Miles, Eliza I. 14 May 1904 80 F American Penn Columbus Louis Held 31 ? 1906 Went to Omaha
Mostak, Peter 8 Dec. 1911 53 Man Poland Poland Columbus Adam Smith
Mick 17 May 1923 40 M Humphrey Joe Bender Care for self
Martys, John 22 Jul 1932 41 M
Medley, G. W. 25 Mar 1932 48 American Columbus E. W. Johnson 11 Oct 1932 corn picking
Medley, G. W. 25 Nov 1932 48 M America Columbus E. W. Johnson 26 Jan 1932 Care for himself
Moffedd, John 25 Jan 1934 75 M American New Jersey Columbus Walter Loseke 15 May 1934 Care for himself
Medley, G. W. 1 Oct 1936 53 M American American Columbus Walter Loseke
McNulty, O.M. 17 May 1936 80 American American Columbus Mrs. E. W. Johnson 24 Jun 1934 to care for hisself
Norburg, (Olson) Mrs.
Olsufka, Tony 26 Aug 1935 31 Man Polish Platte Co. Columbus Carl Hoge 7 Nov 1935 Left to care for self
Olsufka, Tony 27 Dec 1935 31 Man Polish Platte Co. Columbus Welfare board 14 Oct 1936 Left by request
Pinkerton, Jas. 3 Jun 1909 95 M Scotch Columbus Adam Smith 1 Oct 1916 Died at hospital - age 102
Polmesie, Stefan 6 Feb 1917 35 M Bohemian Columbus Mark Burck 12 Mar 1917 Left to care for self
Podraza, Charley 1 Aug 1936 62 M Polish Poland Columbus Mrs. E. W. Johnson
Reinold, Martin 6 Nov 1908 56 M German Germany Burrow F. Schure 6 May 1911
Ray, Fred 11 Dec 1910 20 M English England Columbus Adam Smith
Reinold, Martin 1 Oct 1911 59 M German Germany Burrow F. Schure 1 May 1913 Left on his own account
Reinold, Martin 30 Nov 1915 63 M German Germany Burrow F. Schure 25 May 1916 Left on his own account
Reinold, Martin 15 Oct 1916 64 M German Germany Burrow F. Schure 2 Apr 1917 Left on his own account
Reinold, Martin 10 May 1917 65 M German Germany Burrow N. Hemer 18 Feb 1918 Died at hospital
Rossiter, Ed 10 Aug 1931 78 M American Canada Columbus Mrs. E. W. Johnson 24 Sep 1931 Taken to St. Mary's Hospital
Rudolph, Frank 22 Feb 1933 54 M German Humphrey, NebHumphrey Frank Ternes 18 May 1933 Left on his own account
Rehner, Dick 25 May 1933 8 Aug 1933 Left on his own account
Rehner, Dick 30 Oct 1933 68 M German Penn Paltte Herman Becher 6 Apr 1936 Left to care for self
Rudolph, Frank 9 Nov 1933 54 M German Humphrey, NebHumphrey Frank Ternes 15 Aug 1936 Left to care for self
Recek, Joe 22 Feb 1935 58 M Polish Poland Columbus Walter Loseke 30 Jan 1937 Taken to hospital
Steiner, John 23 Jul 1906 76 Osterreich Osterreich Creston ? Gotz 3 Nov 1907 Died
Steal, John 16 Jul 1910 60 M American Illinois Columbus Adam Smith 16 Sep 1910 Went to KC Kansas
Sweitzer 22 Sep 1910 70 Man Austrian Austria Columbus Louis Schwartz 18 Aug 1916 Died at hospital
? 5 Apr 1912 M Schaecher
Schniederhinze, Carl 4 Oct 1913 71 M German Germany Columbus Adam Smith 20 Nov 1917 Died at hospital
Sheehan, Wm 1 Nov 1914 62 M American Columbus Adam Smith 20 Apr 1915 left on own account
Swift, Charley 25 Jan 1915 60 M American Columbus Adam Smith 13 Apr 1915 left on own account
Seemann, Charley 7 Dec 1915 49 M German Amercan St. Bernard Peterson 1 Jun 1916 Died at hospital--age 50 years
Swartwod, H.R. 21 Nov 1916 64 M German Columbus Adam Smith 29 Nov 1916 Left by request
Sheehan, Wm. 16 Feb 1917 65 Irish Bismark M. E. Clother 7 Aug 1917 Left on own account
Sheehan, Wm. 23 Nov 1920 Bismark M. E. Clother
Schotte, Herman 26 Dec 1921 67 Man German Germany Columbus Fred Bean 30 Jan 1922 left on own account
Schwartz, Peter 20 Mar 1922 81 Man G Germany Columbus Fred Bean 22 Jun 1925 Died
Samulson, Gab 4 Aug 1927 64 Man Swede S Lindsay Henry Schacher 25 Apr 1927 Living with son
Speice, Joe 10 Apr 1929 75 M Polish Poland Columbus Gorg Bock, police 15 Apr 1929 Left on own account
Saunders, M.F. 5 Jul 1929 79 M English Columbus Mrs. Johnson 23 Apr 1930 Taken to Columbus Hospital
Speice, Joe 22 May 1930 76 M Polish Poland Columbus Mrs. Johnson 1 Jun 1930 left on own account
Schucker, John 18 Oct 1930 80 M German Pen. Woodville C. J Hultman 27 Jan 1936 Taken to hospital--died at hospital
Speice, Joe 15 Apr 1931 76 M Polish Poland Columbus Sheriff/Colfax Co. 21 Apr 1931 Taken to hospital
Spuit, Gilbert 6 Jun 1922 32 M German Platte Co. Columbus Mrs. E. W. Johnson 8 Aug 1931 Took to Omaha, Neb.
Spuit, Gilbert 6 Jun 1922 32 M German Platte Co. Columbus Died 5 May 1932 at Omaha Hospital
Timony, James 10 Jul 1900 59 M Irish Ireland Lost Creek C. J. Carrig 15 Sep 1900
Timony, James 24 Nov 1900 59 M Irish Ireland Lost Creek C. J. Carrig 4 Sep 1901
Timony, James 28 Mar 1906 65 M Irish Ireland Lost Creek Clother 26 Jul 1906
Tocesh, Edward 15 ? 1906 60 M Irish Illinois Lost Creek Clother 24 May 1907 Grand Island
Tocesh, Edward 28 May 1907 61 M Irish Illinois Columbus Schwarz 8 Aug 1907 Grand Island
Timoni, James 26 ? 1909 70 M Irish Columbus Schwarz 6 Sep 1918 to hospital
Taylor, C.M. 9 Feb 1928 60 Amer. Oh Columbus Hector Blasser 8 Jun 1929 Left to care for self
Taylor, C.M. 17 Nov 1929 61 Amer. Oh Columbus Mrs. Johnson 23 Dec 1929 Died at hospital
Utesch, Ernest 20 Apr 1931 16 M German Bismark TownsColumbus Mrs. E. W. Johnson 31 May Left to take care of self
Volwees, Katie 18 Nov 1899 32 W German Iowa City of ColumbusLewis Held 1 Aug 1910 Left to care for self
Voigt, Ferdinand 15 Nov 1927 71 M German Woodville Jim Legget 17 Sept 1934taken to hospital
Wittman, Louis H. 26 Dec 1911 80 Man American Washington,NYColumbus Adam Smith 5 Mar 1912 Left to care for self
Wilson, Victor A. 22 Nov 1916 92 Man Swede Sweden Humphrey Fred Shure 30 Jul 1917 Left by request
Weisenfluh, Mike 30 Oct 1933 65 M Swiss Swiss Columbus Otto Rudat 4 Apr 1934 Left to care for self
Willey, Othel 31 Dec 1935 64 M American American Columbus Walter Loseke 5 Mar 1936 Left to care for self
Weisenfluh, Mike 9 Jun 1936 68 M Swiss Switzerland Columbus Otto Rudat 1 Aug 1936 Left to care for self
Zeniba, Paul 5 Mar 1929 45 M Polish Poland Shell Creek Dr. Ball 10 Mar 1929 Columbus Hospital
Zeniba, Paul 9 Jun 1931 57 M Polish Poland Shell Creek Mrs. E. W. Johnson 12 Jun 1931 Taken to hospital
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