The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin

Compiled and Published Under the Direction of

J. D. Beck, Commissioner of Labor and Industrial Statistics

©1907 Democratic Printing Company, State Printer, Madison [WI]

Part V. State Institutions - Wisconsin Veteran's Home

[pp. 807-809]


BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

BENJAMIN F. BRYANT, La Crosse ................................................................................................................ President
O. F. CHASE, Ohskosh ............................................................................................................................. Vice President
C. H. HENRY, Eau Claire .................................................................................................................................. Secretary
D. G. JAMES, Richland Center .................................................................................................................................... ---
J. P. RUNDLE, Milwaukee .......................................................................................................................................... ---
J. C. MARTIN, Mineral Point .......................................................................................................................... Dept. Com.

OFFICERS.

Col. J. H. WOODNORTH .......................................................................................................................... Commandant
Maj. T. L. JEFFERS ........................................................................................................................................... Adjutant
Maj. BARTH-BANTLY ...................................................................................................................................... Surgeon
Capt. A. G. DINSMORE ........................................................................................................................... Quartermaster
Rev. W. R. BROWN .......................................................................................................................................... Chaplain
Father WM. MORTELL ..................................................................................................................................... Chaplain
The Wisconsin Veteran's Home was founded by the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Wisconsin, Nov. 16,
1887, to care for honorably discharged indigent soldiers, sailors or marines of the war of the Rebellion, who cannot be received into any national home for disabled volunteer soldiers, and for their indigent wives or widows, for whom no provision is made at the National Homes, and who previously had been separated, the wife to go to the poor house, the husband going to the National Home. The Wisconsin Home was built on what is known as the cottage plan, each cottage being for two persons, in every
instance, man and wife. The cooking was done in a large, centrally located, two-story building, the Widow's dormitory being overhead. meals were served in a commodious dining room in connection with a kitchen. The Home soon outgrew the calculations of its founders and it became necessary to proved large buildings in lieu of
building more cottages. Fairchild Hall, Jerry Rusk Hall and Marston Hall were all built for the accommodation of men and wives; three buildings for single men were also provided. The buildings for men and wives each have a dining room and kitchen attached. The single men, the occupants of cottages and the widows who occupy the widow's dormitory, all take their meals in the main dining hall. During 1890 many extensive improvements were carried out in order that the urgent demands upon the institution from
all parts of the state could be met. A large hospital building was provided after the most approved plan. This building is pronounced by the government inspector, who visits the home frequently, the finest hospital connected with any National or State Home in the country. It is now filled to its utmost capacity. A new system for heating and lighting all of the new buildings was put in and has proved itself a great success. An entire
new sewerage system had become a necessity, as the State Board of Health had condemned the old system, which had become a menace to the health of the people. A new brick power house equipped with boilers adapted to burn coal was provided, as wood had become too expensive to be longer used. A new brick pump house, equipped with a modern electric pump, was also provided to meet the increased demands of the institution. The large sink hole in which had been deposited for many years the sewage, was filled up, and about ten acres of ground fully reclaimed and all danger of contagion removed. The property is now owned by the state but is controlled by a board of trustees elected by the department of the G.A.R.
It is supported by an appropriation of $3.00 per week for each enrolled member and employee, made by the state for maintenance of these people, based on actual time cared for, all absences from any cause deducted. An alphabetical list of members and employees is sent to the secretary of state each month allowing the number of days that each individual has been maintained during that month. This report is attested by the Board of Trustees. The State Board of Control visit the Home frequently and have full power under the law to investigate the management in every particular. Every official and employee of the institution is required by law to furnish the State Board of Control with any and all information asked for. The visits of the Board of Control are much appreciated by the management and any suggestions made by them are
given careful consideration. The Home is situated on the shores of a chain of sixteen beautiful lakes near the city of Waupaca, and is unsurpassed for
its healthfulness and for its beautiful scenery and surroundings. The Woman's Relief Corps, the Grand Army of the Republic, and many generous citizens of our state have expended in
buildings and furnishings at the Home over $50,000 and are justly proud of the institution. The state receives from the government the sum of one hundred dollars per annum for every male inmate housed upon
the actual time he is cared for by the Home. Up to June 30, 1904, the state has received from this source $291,776.81. There is still due the state on account of deficiency in funds for the June quarter of 1904, $2,165.82. This money is paid directly to the state, none of it being received by the Home. The liberal appropriations made by the state have made it competent for the trustees to make this one of the best institutions of its kind in the United States. The home comprises 90 acres of land upon which there are 75 buildings, all in good condition. It has the appearance of
a flourishing village instead of an institution. During 1904, a steel water tank was constructed and an additional water system of eight-inch water mains was put in,
which gives proper fire protection to all buildings. Nearly all buildings were painted and urgent repairs were made. A heavy stone wall was built on the lake front, and a cement walk in place of the old wood sidewalk. An additional boiler has been added to the equipment of the power house to meet the demands on that department. The demand for admission has been so great the past year that it has become necessary to convert several sitting rooms in the various buildings into sleeping rooms. The increased age and decrepitude of many veterans has made it impossible for them to support themselves longer, and they have been compelled to seek the shelter of the Home. During the year 1905 all wooden sidewalks were replaced by cement walks at a cost of $3,070.32. The Amusement
Hall was enlarged at a cost of $759,26. R. N. Roberts Hall was completed and furnished at a cost of $6,647.23. During the year 1906 Griffin Hall was completed and furnished at a cost of $6,532.65. Fairchild Hall addition was
completed and furnished at a cost of $6,502.06. An excellent root-cellar was completed at a cost of $1,075.50. A new morgue was built at a cost of $748.50. These buildings are constructed of brick and stone with metal roofs and were needed properly to care for our members. A new Corliss engine, 150 horse power, costing $5,180, was installed this year, as the capacity of the old engine was
not sufficient to furnish the electric current necessary for use. All of the above mentioned improvements and buildings were made without calling for an appropriation from the state. The sum of $13,418.13 was expended during the last two years for repairs on the various buildings, and a number of
minor improvements. A large portion of this amount was paid from the annual appropriation of 1893 for contingencies and repairs.

WISCONSIN VETERANS' HOME.

Statement Showing Membership, Deaths, Cost of Maintenance, Amount Paid to State by United States, and Net Cost to State from Opening of Home to December 31, 1906.
Year Membership Deaths during year Total cost to maintain Paid to state by U.S. Net cost to the state Men Women Total 1888 55 15 70 4 $5,330.58 ----- $5,330.58 1889 105 23 128 8 16,041.01 $4,279.89 11,761.12 1890 143 73 216 10 19,843.27 5,731.81 14,111.46 1891 146 68 214 4 25,745.85 9,900.00 15,845.58 1892 171 83 254 10 28,834.28 11,925.00 16,909.28 1893 207 81 288 19 34,758.45 13,911.90 20,846.55 1894 219 92 311 14 41,496.41 17,291.31 24,205.10 1895 230 109 339 25 43,872.84 18,178.86 25,693.98 1896 240 124 364 28 47,617.99 18,706.77 28,911.22 1897 309 157 466 14 55,953.03 18,886.71 37,066.32 1898 312 193 535 17 68,787.41 24,410.31 41,377.10 1899 337 207 544 25 69,758.98 27,291.65 42,467.33 1900 403 277 680 43 79,754.97 19,625.39 60,129.58 1901 421 295 716 39 87,317.14 23,099.72 64,247.42 1902 397 306 703 34 81,136.66 26,737.25 54,399.41 1903 412 321 733 41 91,171.68 24,277.56 66,894.12 1904 390 310 700 49 98,402.97 27,522.68 70,880.29 1905 388 312 700 50 100,945.97 34,675.00 66,270.97 1906 369 323 692 56 104,550.09 *32,029.73 72,520.36 Total ---- ---- ---- 490 1,101,349.31 358,481.54 742,867.77
*A deficiency of $2,775.00, due on quarter ending June 30, 1906, will be paid as soon as Congress shall have made the necessary appropriation.

Return to Chapter 5.
Return to the 1907 WI Blue Book main page.

Year	Membership			Deaths during year	Total cost to maintain	Paid to state by U.S.	Net cost to the state
Year	Men	Women	Total	Deaths during year	Total cost to maintain	Paid to state by U.S.	Net cost to the state
1888	55	15	70	4	$5,330.58	-----	$5,330.58
1889	105	23	128	8	16,041.01	$4,279.89	11,761.12
1890	143	73	216	10	19,843.27	5,731.81	14,111.46
1891	146	68	214	4	25,745.85	9,900.00	15,845.58
1892	171	83	254	10	28,834.28	11,925.00	16,909.28
1893	207	81	288	19	34,758.45	13,911.90	20,846.55
1894	219	92	311	14	41,496.41	17,291.31	24,205.10
1895	230	109	339	25	43,872.84	18,178.86	25,693.98
1896	240	124	364	28	47,617.99	18,706.77	28,911.22
1897	309	157	466	14	55,953.03	18,886.71	37,066.32
1898	312	193	535	17	68,787.41	24,410.31	41,377.10
1899	337	207	544	25	69,758.98	27,291.65	42,467.33
1900	403	277	680	43	79,754.97	19,625.39	60,129.58
1901	421	295	716	39	87,317.14	23,099.72	64,247.42
1902	397	306	703	34	81,136.66	26,737.25	54,399.41
1903	412	321	733	41	91,171.68	24,277.56	66,894.12
1904	390	310	700	49	98,402.97	27,522.68	70,880.29
1905	388	312	700	50	100,945.97	34,675.00	66,270.97
1906	369	323	692	56	104,550.09	*32,029.73	72,520.36
Total	----	----	----	490	1,101,349.31	358,481.54	742,867.77