USA > Ohio > The biographical annals of Ohio, 1906-1907-1908. A handbook of the government and institutions of the state of Ohio. > Part 69
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The walls are dominated by towers at short distances apart, and of which there are eleven. Within the enclosure is a small manufacturing city, comprising the shops of The Columbus Bolt Works, The George B. Sprague Cigar Co .; C. S. Reynolds & Co., The E. B. Lanman Co., The P. Hayden Saddlery Hardware Co., The National Broom Co., The Brown-Hinman & Huntington Co., and the Columbus Hollow Ware Co., all private corporations that contract with the State, through the board of managers, for the labor of prisoners, at specified prices for able bodied and infirm men, respectively, and in many instances paying to the pris- oners certain agreed amounts for all work produced beyond an appointed task. The total amount earned by such overwork and paid in to the ac- count of the men who have earned it averages about $2,500 per year. These contracts employ about 1,000 prisoners. In addition to the labor utilized by these enterprises, the State employs about 700 men in the manufacture of the prisoners' clothing, the care of their sleeping quarters, repairs to buildings, the preparation of food, the management of the gas works, the care of the inside park and other grounds, and in the general administration of the mural city with its sixteen hundred (1,600) popula- tion. A tour of inspection more than repays the visitors, who come in great numbers. The number of visitors is increasing yearly, as the people realize more and more that an interesting development of modern ideas relative to the protection of society and the reformation of the criminal may be seen in its various phases from day to day. Since 1834, when
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Ohio Penitentiary.
the present prison was first occupied-or, rather, that rudimentary por- tion of it that is now known as the West Hall-an army of more than 35,500 prisoners has passed through its portals, as prisoners. The male prisoners, until a few years ago, wore the old regulation striped uniform of the convict. The striped clothing is now used only as a temporary garb of punishment.
The walled city has been swept by pestilence but once in 'its history. In 1849, the cholera raged here, and 121 prisoners died within twelve months, exacting the life of every third man among the prisoners. Now the death rate has fallen from 55 to 36 in one year.
There is a finely appointed and well equipped hospital on the inside grounds, but it is more scantily inhabited than has been the case for years. Since the present administration has assumed control a reform has been introduced into the penitentiary that has lessened the number of patients, halved the death rate, and removed the source of a danger- ous discontent. That improvement is a change in the dietary, which the present directorate of this great institution has adopted and made a suc- cess, showing that economy and humanity go hand in hand. It has saved lives, the cost of medicine, the price of enforced idleness and loss from poor work. It has also contributed much to the improved good feeling and morality of the prisoners.
THE MORAL, RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL WORK
of the prison is carried on through the library, Sunday school, prayer meetings, Bible classes and preaching services, under the care of the Chap- lain, and a night school under the care of a teacher employed from the outside. While the rules of the prison forbid sectarianism, they also provide that a prisoner desiring to have instruction in his particular faith may be accommodated by the Warden. Under this provision Roman Catholic Church services are held by a priest in the Catholic chapel every Sunday morning.
THE PRISON BUILDINGS
are old and inadequate. The cells are of heavy stone walls, that admit but little light and only poor ventilation. What is worse is that the penitentiary is badly located. For several years the subject of disposing of this property, and securing a new site, in a suburb of Columbus, and erecting new and up-to-date buildings, with sanitary features, has been agitated, but nothing done. It is important that a commission should be appointed to take this matter in hand and push it to a con- summation.
906
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Ohio Penitentiary.
ROSTER OF OFFICERS, 1907. BOARD OF MANAGERS.
-
Name.
Residence.
McEldin Dun.
Thompson Burton. D. P. Rowland. E. W. Crayton. John C. Rorick.
Samuel Oldfather, Secretary of Board ..
Bellefontaine. Youngstown. Cincinnati. Newark. Wauseon. ยท Lewisburg.
OFFICERS OF THE PRISON.
Name.
Office.
County.
O. B. Gould
Warden.
G. A. Wood
Deputy Warden .
F. M. Jewell.
Assistant Deputy Warden:
Newton M. Miller
Steward Clerk.
C. B. Shook
R. R. Shaw
Assistant Clerk .
H. B. Robinson.
Superintendent Construction
T. M. Campbell
Superintendent Electric Light Captain Night Watch
D. J. Starr
Chaplain.
W. P. Donohoo
J. M. Thomas.
E. E. Arnold
Assistant Physician (day).
A. G. Helmick.
Assistant Physician (night).
R. H. Lime .. H. M. Fogle
Captain Guard Room (night).
Harry S. Ogle
Superintendent State Shop.
J. E. Davis. .
Superintendent Bertillon.
Geo. M. Betts.
Storekeeper
Chas. Myers .
Postmaster.
M. E. Fornshell.
Superintendent Printing.
J. H. Haddow
Superintendent Piece Price.
J. W. Creeger.
Superintendent Halls. .
L. H. Wells.
Superintendent Yards
O. B. Randall.
Superintendent Schools.
Margaret Wells
Laura V. Rigby
Matron . . Assistant Matron
Jackson, Greene. Summit. Delaware. Franklin. Franklin. Summit. Mahoning. Butler. Hamilton. Highland. Franklin. Fairfield.
I. B. Sims. .
Superintendent Subsistence. Physician.
Captain Guard Room (day)
Pickaway. Wyandot. Belmont. Noble. Franklin. Hamilton. Morrow. Preble. Washington. Darke. Hardin. Jackson. Franklin. Knox.
907
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Ohio Penitentiary.
ROSTER OF WARDENS-1834-1907.
Name.
Term of Service.
Nathaniel Medbury.
1834-1838
W. B. Van Hook.
1838-1841
Richard Stadden.
1841-1843
John Pattison.
1843-1846
Laurin Dewey
1846-1850
Samuel Atkinson
1851
D. W. Brown.
1851-1852
A. G. Dimmock.
1852-1854
Samuel Wilson
1854-1855
J. B. Buttle
1855-1856
John Ewing .
1856-1858
L. G. Van Styke
1858-1860
John A. Prentice.
1860-1862
Nathaniel Merion
1862-1864
John A. Prentice.
1864-1866
Charles C. Walcutt
1866-1869
Raymond Burr
1869-1872
G. S. Innis
1872-1875
John G. Grove. .
1875-1878
J. B. McWhorter.
1878-1879
B. F. Dyer
1879-1880
Noah Thomas.
1880-1884
Isaac Petrie
1884-1886
E. G. Coffin
1886-1890
B. F. Dyer
1890-1892
C. C. James
1892-1896
E. G. Coffin
1896-1900
Wm. N. Darby
1900-1903
Edward A. Hershey
1903-1904
*O. B. Gould
1904
*Incumbent.
-
-
THE OHIO REFORMATORY.
T T HE law creating this institution was enacted April 12, 1884; corner- stone was laid in 1886, Hon. J. B. Foraker, Governor. The west wing and administration departments were not completed for occupancy until September 18, 1896, when 150 prisoners were brought from Columbus.
The object of this institution is |reformatory. Inmates are supposed to be first offenders, are admitted for all crimes except murder in the first degree, between the ages of 16 and 30. Male persons only are ad- mitted. There are three grades; first, second and third. When inmates are admitted they are placed in the second grade; if their conduct justifies at the expiration of six months, they are promoted to the first grade, in which they remain for a second six months, when, if their conduct jus- tifies, they are recommended to the board of managers for parole. With the consent of the board of managers they go out and remain the wards of the State under the supervision of the institution for one year, when, if their conduct justifies, they are fully discharged, and restored to citizen- ship by the Governor. Inmates are reduced to the third grade from either the first or second for punishment for certain misdemeanors.
They receive an indeterminate sentence from the court and the length of time they remain here is governed largely by their conduct, and is ex- clusively in the hands of the superintendent and the board of managers. They can be released at the expiration of the minimum time prescribed by law for the crime committed, or can be retained until the maximum time has expired.
They are required to attend school and learn such trades as it is possible to teach them under the limited conditions now existing. It is expected, however, within the next few years shops will be erected and trades taught to these boys, so that when they go out, they will be able to make an honest living. -
Following is a list of the members of the board of managers since the institution began :
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Ohio Reformatory (Mansfield).
BOARD OF MANAGERS, 1884-1907.
Year.
Name.
County.
1884
F. M. Marriott.
1884
Jno. M. Pugh.
1884
Jno. Q. Smith
1885
F. M. Marriott.
Delaware.
1886
W. R. Phipps.
Hamilton.
1886
B. F. Crawford.
Richland.
1887
Wm. Monaghan.
Miami.
1888
Wm. J. Elliott.
Franklin.
1889
B. F. Crawford.
Richland.
1889
C. L. Poorman.
Belmont.
1890
F. M. Marriott
Delaware.
1890
Wm. B. Burnett
Clark.
1890
L. F. Limbert.
Darke.
1890
E. H. Keiser.
Richland.
1890
Geo. C. Washburn.
Lorain.
1890
F. M. Marriott. B. F. Crawford
Delaware.
1890
Richland.
1891
L. F. Limbert
Darke.
1891
Edgar G. Pocock.
Franklin.
1892
Lee S. Lake .
Licking.
1893
F. M. Marriott.
Delaware.
1894
S. P. Wolcott.
Portage. Ashland.
1896
R. W. C. Gregg
Clermont.
1897
H. Apthorp.
Ashtabula.
1898
R. W. C. Gregg
Clermont.
1898
F. F. Thomas. .
Lorain.
1899
R. W. C. Gregg
Clermont.
1899
H. H. McFadden
Jefferson.
1900
S. P. Wolcott.
Portage.
1900
H. L. Ferneding
Montgomery.
1901
W. A. Korns.
Tuscarawas.
1901
W. S. Rogers
Auglaize.
1901
T. F. Dye.
Meigs. Ross.
1903
H. L. Ferneding
Montgomery.
1904
H. B. Coates
Stark.
1904
Orland H. Bare.
Brown.
1904
Judson Vincent
Knox.
1905
J. W. Dover.
Morgan.
BOARD OF MANAGERS.
Name.
Residence.
W. S. Rogers Judson Vincent
H. L. Ferneding.
O. E. Bare
J. W. Dover.
H. F. Coates ...
F. S. Marquis, Secretary of Board.
Wapakoneta. Mt. Vernon. Dayton. Sardinia. McConnelsville. Alliance. . Mansfield.
1894
J. D. Beaird.
.
1902
G. W. C. Perry
.
Delaware. Franklin. Clinton.
910
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Ohio Reformatory (Mansfield).
STATUTORY OFFICERS.
Name.
Office.
County.
J. A. Leonard. T. H. Kerr
Superintendent
K. G. Parker
Chaplain. Physician.
Mahoning. Meigs. Erie.
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS.
Name.
Office.
County.
H. C. Castor.
T. R. Plummer .
Jacob Reinhardt
J. A. Schumacher
Chief Clerk.
Geo. H. Apple
Storekeeper
O. E. Pfouts.
Mechanical Engineer
H. J. Collar
Field Officer. .
C. W. Rowe
Captain Night Guard.
R. U. Hastings
Superintendent of Schools
J. E. Young.
Chief Engineer ..
O. A. Harbidge,
Assistant Engineer.
W. H. Moore.
Assistant Engineer.
C. N. Crozier
Superintendent Construction
G. M. Baum.
Supt. Manual Training Schools.
W. F. Amrine
Superintendent Contract Shops Superintendent State Shops
Geo. E. Silcott.
Superintendent Printing.
Jno. L. Fidler.
Superintendent Subsistence.
J. W. Spencer.
Superintendent Bakery Superintendent Tailoring ..
J. E. Clark.
Record Clerk ..
C. V. McConnell.
Stenographer and Asst. Clerk.
T. W. Henderson.
Chef.
Nettie E. Leonard.
Matron
Mahoning. Perry. Cuyahoga. Clermont. Richland. Ashland. Morgan. Champaign Richland Fairfield. Mahoning.
GUARDS.
Names.
Office. -
County.
Jas. Anderson J. C. Ague. Charles Bates
Guard. Guard
Guard.
Portage. Auglaize. Athens. Summit.
C. E. Boles.
Guard.
.
Montgomery. Knox. Auglaize. Montgomery. Shelby. Stark. Mahoning. Stark.
Auglaize. Licking.
Wayne. Clinton. Mahoning.
W. B. Dillon
G. W. Nixon
Assistant Superintent .. Second Assistant Superintendent Steward .
r
911
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Ohio Reformatory (Mansfield).
GUARDS-Concluded.
Name.
Office.
County.
C. N. Bonnett
Guard.
Richland.
W. B. Brink.
Guard.
Richland.
W. C. Crow ..
Guard Teacher
Jefferson.
John G. Davis
Guard
Jackson.
W. L. Dunne
Guard
Scioto.
Clyde Forsyth
Guard.
Portage.
E. R. Gregory
Guard ..
Adams.
O. F. Garver
Guard Teacher.
Wayne.
J. Hildebrand.
Guard.
Ashland.
E. W. Hedges
Guard.
Pickaway.
U. S. Henry.
Guard.
Richland.
R. R. Hiatt
Guard.
Clinton.
T. C. Jenkins
Guard Teacher.
Morgan.
D. C. Kline.
Guard ..
Tuscarawas.
W. C. Kuenzli
Guard.
Wyandot.
B. C. Lantz.
Guard.
Richland.
P. A. Lenox.
Guard Teacher
Ross.
Jos. Mayer
Guard
Butler.
R. W. McIlvane
Guard.
Tuscarawas.
J. A. McClure.
Guard Teacher
Pike.
W. A. McFaden.
Guard.
Auglaize.
C. F. Naftzger
Guard.
Wayne.
A. P. Nock.
Guard.
Montgomery.
W. E. Preece
Guard.
Stark.
S. G. Pealer
Guard ..
Knox.
Geo. H. Rickner
Guard ..
Franklin.
J. W. Ryan.
Guard.
Darke.
T. W. Rownd
Guard.
Noble.
E. S. Saylor H. R. Shilliday
Guard.
Portage.
A. N. Shaw.
Guard.
Shelby.
P. E. Thomas ..
Guard Teacher
Allen.
Vance Vanosdol.
Guard ..
Clermont.
J. A. Wierman.
Guard Teacher
Richland.
Arthur Wilford
Guard.
Ashtabula. Summit.
L. W. Woodring
Guard ..
J. A. Weber
Guard. ..
Van Wert.
EMPLOYES.
Name.
Office.
County.
F. A. Schreiber Albert Bellingham A. C. Headley Carl F. Miller.
Catholic Chaplain. Musical Director. Fireman Fireman
Richland. Richland. Richland. Richland.
Guard.
Preble.
OHIO SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' HOME.
T O provide for the establishment of this institution the General As- sembly passed an act April 30, 1886. To carry out the provision of the act, Governor Foraker, in April, 1886, appointed as trus- tees Hon. Isaac F. Mack, R. B. Brown, Thos. F. Dill, Wm. P. Orr and Thos. B. Paxton. The board organized on June 3, and elected I. F. Mack president, and R. B. Brown secretary. During the summer a number of places were visited and carefully looked over. A site three miles from Sandusky was finally selected as the best place to locate the home. H. C. Lindsey, of Zanesville, was chosen architect, and he at once prepared plans for the buildings. Herman Haerline, of Cincinnati, was employed as landscape gardener, and the work of improvement of grounds and con- struction of buildings was at once commenced.
On July II, 1888, the corner stone of the administration' building was laid by Judge O'Neill, Commander of the Department of Ohio Grand Army of the Republic, in the presence of Governor Foraker and a large assemblage of Ohio citizens; in the fall of 1888 the trustees appointed the following officers: General M. F. Force, of Cincinnati, Com- mandant ; Capt. A. M. Anderson, Delaware, O., Adjutant; Col. E. J. Blount, Cincinnati, O., Quartermaster ; Dr. S. C. Rannells, Vinton County, Surgeon ; Mrs. Sarah J. Price, Mansfield, O., Matron, who entered upon . the discharge of their duties in October, and the home was opened on November 19, with seventeen members. The annual report for the year ending November 15, 1889, shows that 716 men had been admitted dur- ing the first year,
In March, 1898, Col. R. B. Brown, after twelve years' continuous service as a member of the board of trustees, resigned the office, and Col. J. W. R. Cline, of Springfield, was appointed to fill the vacancy.
On May 8, 1899, the State and the home sustained a great loss in the death of Gen. M. F. Force, the Commandant. The board of trustees ordered spread upon the minutes the following testimonial on his death :
"This Board will leave to others the task of writing suitable obituary for the distinguished dead, but we desire to preserve on our own records some testimonial of our appreciation of the eminent services rendered by Gen. Force for this institution. He was indeed the father of the Home.
"General Force had achieved renown as a soldier and jurist before being called upon to assume the great responsibility of organizing this Home and placing it as we all desired, first among the soldiers' homes of this nation.
"By unanimous voice of the Board he was tendered the position of Com- mandant before the Home was opened. He accepted the responsibility and came with his devoted wife to prepare for the reception of those who should
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home (Sandusky).
seek the support and protection of the institution, and as he often expressed it, not to make a military camp, but a home for his unfortunate comrades. His high character and intelligent zeal insured success from the first.
"With him charity and kindness went hand in hand with judgment and discipline. He was ever ready to hear the most humble petition, and while keeping up a high moral standard for the Home he loved and encouraged the weak and unfortunate.
"His resourceful mind gave to the Home steady improvement and his spot- less life protected it from scandal. His zeal and devotion were unbounded, and it was a merciful Providence that permitted him to live to see the full fruition of his hopes, and to be comforted by the assurance of the national inspector that the home of which he was Commandant had found first place among the homes of the land.
"We shall miss him at our Board meetings, and wait in vain for him in our councils, but we shall cherish his memory with love and gratitude.
"To Mrs. Force and her son we extend our profound sympathy and assure them that wherever they may go they will bear with them the best wishes of every member of this Board."
At the meeting of the board on May 17, Capt. A. M. Anderson was appointed Commandant, and C. A. Reeser, of Springfield, was appointed Adjutant.
The first of January, 1899, found the new hospital completed, which gives the home the most complete structure of its kind of any institution in the country. Seven trained lady nurses were employed to look after and care for the sick and suffering old men. Two years' experience has shown that these ladies have added wonderfully to the comfort and wel- fare of the sick.
The home started in on the new century with an overcrowded house. Number present, January 15, 1,391 ; on the rolls, 1,621 ; average number present for the year ending November 15, 1900, 1,216; cost per capita for current expense, clothing, officers' salaries and trustees' expenses, $151.15; of which the general government pays $100.00, leaving a cost to the State of only $51.15 per annum to comfortably house, clothe, feed and give medical attention to these old soldiers. Since the home was opened in . November, 1888, forty-eight hundred and eighty-five (4,885) men have been admitted and cared for. The home is largely indebted to the Grand Army of the Republic and the Woman's Relief Corps for generous dona- tions of books, magazines and papers for the library, and hospital sup- plies of jellies, fruits, cushions and other articles.
The entire cost of building and permanent improvements, amounts to $657,863.72.
On April 18, 1901, Gen. A. M. Anderson died of heart failure. He died the death of one beloved by the gods, for it was instantaneous. He was an honest and honorable man, and a conscientious and efficient officer. He had the love and respect of the members of the home.
The board of trustees selected in his place Thomas M. Anderson, a retired general officer of the army, and a Major-General of Volunteers. He is a native of Ohio, and before the war of the Rebellion was prac-
58-B. A.
.
914
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home (Sandusky).
ticing law in Cincinnati. When Sumter was fired on he enlisted as a private in the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Having been transferred to the regular establishment he was made a Major-General in the Span- ish-American war, and commanded a division of the Eighth Army Corps in the Philippine campaigns. He is a Grand Army of the Republic man, a Companion of the Loyal Legion, and has attained the thirty-third degree in the A. & A. S. Rite.
He assumed the duties of Commandant on May 6, 1901. Under his administration a number of improvements have been made by reason of liberal appropriations of the General Assembly. A sewage disposal plant has been constructed on the most approved scientific principles. More methodical methods have been introduced in the management of the home and it is now pronounced by the government inspectors to be the best institution of its kind in the country. .
The officers and board of trustees are tabulated below :
OFFICIAL ROSTER OF THE OHIO STATE SOLDIER'S HOME.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
Name.
Residence.
Col. J. L. Cameron, President.
Gen. W. P. Orr, Secretary. Gen. R. B. Brown. . Capt. A. C. Cummins
Col. J. J. Sullivan
Marysville. Piqua. Zanesville. Mansfield. Cleveland.
OFFICERS OF THE HOME.
Name.
Office.
Gen. J. W. R. Cline
Capt. J. D. Wheeler
Capt. Daniel Dugan Maj. Charles A. Reeser.
Maj. J. T. Haynes. .
Capt. H. A. Greenwald.
Capt. John M. Lee.
Rev. William M. Haynes.
Mrs. Mary Fuller.
Commandant. Adjutant. Quartermaster. Treasurer. Surgeon. 1st Asst. Surgeon. 2d Asst. Surgeon. Chaplain. Matron.
915
THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home (Sandusky).
The average age of the members is 68 years. Among the inmates are eight Mexican war veterans and 18 Spanish-American war soldiers.
The per capita cost of maintenance for the year was $158.08. The expenditure was $203,905.43. Approximately two-thirds of this was from the general government.
General T. M. Anderson resigned as Commandant May 31, 1904, and was succeeded by Col. J. W. R. Cline, of Springfield, Ohio, June I, 1904.
HOME OF THE OHIO SOLDIERS, SAILORS, MARINES, THEIR WIVES, MOTH- ERS AND WIDOWS AND ARMY NURSES.
PRESENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES ..
Name.
Residence.
P. H. Bruck.
A. C. Yengling.
G. F. Robinson
J. H. Crawford
J. C. Winans.
Columbus. Salem. Washington C. H. Norwalk. Lima.
PRESENT OFFICERS.
Name.
Office.
Walter Weber J. Cory Winans Milie Weber J. V. Winans
Superintendent. Steward. Matron. Surgeon.
THE OHIO SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' ORPHANS' HOME.
I N the summer of 1869 the attention of the survivors of the civil war was called to the large number of fatherless children in Ohio, who were made so by the enormous gift of Ohio men to the Union Army. Every hamlet and township possessed its quota of soldiers' orphans, while in the larger cities the number of children rendered fatherless by the war was so great as to be particularly noticeable to the public spirited men and women who, having served in or in behalf of the Union Army when in the field, found themselves unwilling to rest from their labors until every possible step had been taken to heal the wounds of that notable conflict. The members of the Grand Army of the Republic in Ohio took up the matter of providing a home for these orphans, those ex-soldiers who were already prominent in the affairs of the State taking the lead in the agitation of the subject which followed; Chaplain G. W. Collier, Gen. J. Warren Keifer, Gen. Wm. H. Gibson, Hon. Lewis B. Gunckel, Lieut .- Gov. John C. Lee, Hon. John Sherman, Mrs. Lucy Webb Hayes ; Messrs. Millen, McMillen, Lester Arnold, Capt. McDowell, and others of the city of Xenia, being prominently identified with the early days of the Home. In September, 1869, a two-story building in the city of Xenia was rented by the Grand Army officials, and converted by temporary wooden partitions, stairways and halls, into crowded accommodations for possibly fifty children. Funds were raised from public and private sources, principally by Chaplain Collier, who canvassed the Sate and addressed churches, Sunday schools, Grand Army meetings and private individuals, and children were admitted as fast as accommodations for them could be provided. The citizens of Xenia and of Greene County were genuinely interested in the movement, and spared no pains to make it a success. A room in the High School Building, of Xenia, was set apart for the children of the Home by the board of education, thus pro- viding immediate school privileges, and the Court House Park was voted to their use by the city and county officers, thus providing a convenient and well-kept playground. The citizens presented the Home with 100 acres of ground, afterwards increased to about 300 acres by purchase of the State of Ohio, on which the present institution was afterward them could be provided. The citizens of Xenia and of Greene County during that winter, voted six thousand dollars toward the current ex- penses of the Home to prevent the children from feeling the reduced con- dition to which the treasury of the Grand Army had been depleted by the
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF OHIO.
The Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home.
0 expense of opening and operating an institution of such a character. The loyalty and public spirit of the men and women of Greene county during the war was repeated in their efforts in behalf of the orphans of the war. In the winter of 1870, with about 75 children in the Home, an appeal was made to the General Assembly to adopt the children as wards of the State, and to take over the property of the Home and make it a state institution. A committee from the General Assembly visited the children, who were assembled in the City Hall in Xenia, inspected the temporary quarters in town, and the property belonging to the Home just outside the city limits to the southeast, and returned to Columbus in favor of the proposition. The committee was addressed on behalf of the children by a Master Gilkey, who was then a boy twelve years old, having been admitted to the Home from Trumbull County in January of that year.
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