I have found some names in the Hope Cemetery that I would like to
investigate. The Hope Cemetery is/was the official cemetery for the Grant
County Home, also known as "The Poor Farm". In other words, the Hope
Cemetery is the final home to paupers' graves. The Hope Cemetery has a rich
and interesting history for all students of Grant County history.
One of the interesting but confounding facts is that the paupers buried in
the cemetery did not receive headstones.
A cousin of mine who lives in Marion recently checked with the Marion Public
Library and found that the Library does not have any records pertaining to
the Hope Cemetery.
My cousin then contacted the Grant County Health Department, but found no
records pertaining to the individuals buried in the cemetery. She was told
to contact the "Poor Farm Office".
When she contacted the office she found that there are no "Poor Farm" records.
I am a physician who has dedicated my life to the care of everyone,
regardless of their ability to pay, and especially the poor (I am a physician
at The Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, a Catholic based hospital founded by the
Sisters of Mercy. Care for the poor is one of our values.) The thought that
the indigent of Grant County have been cast off - no grave markers, no
records, no human in that hole in the ground - is abhorrent to me. However,
I do not want to get up on a soap box. I just want some help and direction
in finding information about a particular individual buried in the Hope
Cemetery.
Can anyone on the list direct me to the appropriate office or person who can
help me with records and information?
Thanks,
Larry M. Jones, M.D.