Grayson County TXGenWeb

Joseph Emmet Sammon was appointed superintendent of the county farm late in 1901 and took over the beginning of 1902.
("Wednesday, Nov. 20 - We are glad that Joe Sammons has been appointed superintendent of the poor farm. A better man for the position could not have been picked out in Grayson County..." ("Condensed News." The Sunday Gazetteer, Sunday, November 24, 1901, pg. 4.)

Joe was born January 02, 1862 in Toledo, Ohio to James Sammon and Mary Ann Ryan. He was married in Grayson County, Texas on January 26, 1898 to Katherine Dagnan "Kate". She was born October 21, 1871 in Iowa to James M. Dagnan and Harriett Fox. Both Joe and Kate's parents were of Irish descent.
Kate's niece, Jamie Ann Dagnan, married George Troy Goldston, son of future farm superintendent, Herman Goldston.
Joe remained superintendent until at least 1910 when he is still listed there at that time. He passed away on January 20, 1935, followed by Kate on March 31, 1958. The couple were interred in the Calvary Cemetery in Denison near Joe's father. Kate's parents are buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in Sherman.

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, July 27, 1902
pg.4

The Gazetteer has known Joe Sammon, superintendent of the poor farm, for the past 15 years. He has been an intimate friend of the paper. Many and many a pleasant hour have we spent with Joe wandering in the woods along Smith creek. Joe is a man of most extraordinary common sense, clear as a bell. He is a very humane and sympathetic man, and as long as he is superintendent of the poor farm no brutality to the poor unfortunates will every exist. We reproduce with pleasure the following from the Sherman Register, which shows Joe up in the proper light:

Judge Woods was seen yesterday afternoon on his return from a visit to the county farm, by a Register reporter, and said: "I have been out to the county farm, and am much pleased with the sh ape of things out there. Superintendent Sammon has everything in prime condition. The paupers seem happy and contented, and the health is as good as could be expected. The engine recently purchased for the deep well works splendidly, and is of great service to the farm."

The Denison Daily Herald
Tuesday January 11, 1907
pg 4

PECAN GROVE
Superintendent J.E. Sammon has just finished slaughtering thirty-six hogs for the use of the county farm. It requires 10,000 to 15,000 pounds of pork annually to feed the inmates of the county farm.