Can anyone tell me what the ALM HOUSE in Pea Ridge Twp. Schuyler County, Illinois is. I have found in 1920 .

Question

I have finally found stuff on Perry Clarke Giddings in 1860 ,1870, Census he is listed with his Parents, in 1880 he is Living with his father Samuel N. Giddings and his Wife Rebeca Jane Moore. But I can not find a 1900 or 1910 Census. But in 1920 he is listed as Widow and IS a Inmate at this Alms House. I have recieved some Newspaper clippings about Rebeca she supposedly committed suicide ion May 3, 1911 from drinking Lewis Lye. But the police and Coroner were called and an Inquest was done and a Trial was held. Sound rather funny to my sister and I. We had also been told by family that Rebeca's mother had committed suicide when she was young and a trial was also held then and her father went Looney and was in a House for the Insane. This happened in Clayton, Adams County Illinois around 1873 to 1875. But the family was so secretive anytime we asked questions when we were growing up we were slapped in the mouth and told it was none of our Business. But I am unable to find out what this place is.

Answer 1

Your underlying question is far too specific for anyone but a well-informed local historian to answer, but as a general thing, an alms house  (sometimes called a poor house or a work house) was an institution for the destitute. I assume the person was impoverished. I am not familiar with Illinois, but in other states such facilities were usually run either by the county or by some private "charity" to care for people unable to feed and house themselves. In alms houses adults were sometimes insane and thus unable to provide for themselves. There was a stigma being consigned to the alms house but less than being sent to an insane asylum. The alms house was usually a rather awful place as inhabitants had to work very hard for a meager subsistence. It was a place of last resort and those who could left as soon as possible, encouraged by staff to do so (often encouraged to leave the area as well).

Beyond that some suggestions: contact the county clerk in Schuyler County as there may be country records of residents in the alms house and there are likely to be records from the inquest and trial. Those may be kept by the county or they may have been transferred to a state facility. The county library would also be a good place because they might have an employee who knows county history or who can direct you to someone who does. Local newspapers from the era may be available and could be searched, though that is time consuming.

Good luck.