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Residents object to proposed Poor Farm Cemetery sign; landowners say they maintain site
Summary
Members of the Probyn family told the board they own and maintain the land where a proposed County Poor Farm Cemetery sign would be placed and expressed concerns about size, timing, and prior interactions with Pat Sloan; Pat Sloan later presented historical research saying 12 people were buried there and that the last burial was in 1943.
Several members of the Probyn family spoke during public comment on March 12 about a proposed sign marking the County Poor Farm Cemetery. Justin Probyn told the board his family owns the ground and "maintain[s] the piece better than some other abandoned cemeteries," and said he did not know the proposed sign's size and noted potential issues with the road district and maintenance if the sign is placed on the property.
Terry Probyn said he had given permission for a sign but was unhappy about it, referenced past issues with Pat Sloan and said "all the stones are laying flat when the stumps were removed and have been taken care of." He added he will not agree to fence, flowers, nor trees. Later in the meeting Pat Sloan, a former county board member (1992–2012), summarized research about the site, saying there had been a school and cemetery on the former County Poor Farm property, that "the last person was buried in 1943" and that there were 12 burials; he said the Marshall County Peacemakers purchased a sign and the Steuben Township Highway Commissioner gave permission to place it.
