St Joseph's Retreat
Dearborn, Michigan
June 29, 1900


From Mike Long



The St Joseph's Retreat was established in 1860 as the Michigan State Retreat. This was Michigan's first Private Mental Institution. It was started by the Daughter's of Charity of St Vincent's de Paul.
In 1855 the Sister's of St Mary's Hospital began to care for the Mentally ill, who had formerly been confined to prisons or The County Poor House. In 1860, they opened a seperate facility named the Michigan State Retreat, which was incorporated in 1883 as St Joseph's Retreat. The original Building stood on 140 acres over looking the Rouge River. It was later enlarged to house 400 patients. At first these were Civil War Veterans, and later, alcoholics and drug addicts, and other "incurables" who were re-habed.
In 1889 the first telephone installed in Dearborn, was at the Retreat.

Dearborn High School was built on land that formerly belonged to the Retreat. A Historic Marker stands at the corners of Michigan Avenue and Outer Drive, marking the site.

Democratic State Legislature of Florida and U.S. Senator, Charles Wm. Jones (1834 - 1897) died here on October 11, 1897.

Below are the Employees and Residents of St Joseph's Retreat on June 29, 1900. The census taker was Lewis W. Howe. This is an index of the census, for full details view 1900 Wayne County, Dearborn, Michigan Census Enumeration District 180 beginning Page 26B. There may be some spelling errors due to transcribing the hand writing of the census taker.

Last Name First Name Age Employee or Marital Status Occupation Birthplace
Borqua Sister M. 59 Sister of Charity Staff Supervisor Ireland
"Sister" Teresa 33 Sister of Charity Attendant Scotland
"Sister" Caroline 54 Sister of Charity Attendant Germany
"Sister" Margaret 26 Sister of Charity Attendant Pennsylvania
"Sister" Ursula 32 Sister of Charity Attendant Ohio
"Sister" Angela 68 Sister of Charity Attendant New York
"Sister" Julianna 22 Sister of Charity Attendant Pennsylvania
"Sister" Angeline 50 Sister of Charity Attendant Illinois
"Sister" Rewigina 39 Sister of Charity Attendant Massachusetts
"Sister" Gatiana 29 Sister of Charity Attendant New York
"Sister" Lydia 77 Sister of Charity Attendant Pennsylvania
"Sister" Melanie 32 Sister of Charity Attendant Ireland
"Sister" DeChantal 24 Sister of Charity Attendant Canada
"Sister" Donata 31 Sister of Charity Attendant Ireland
"Sister" M. Alice 53 Sister of Charity Attendant Pennsylvania
"Sister" Sienna 35 Sister of Charity Attendant Missouri
"Sister" M. Teresa 30 Sister of Charity Attendant Massachusetts
"Sister" Marceana 28 Sister of Charity Attendant New York
"Sister" Calista 30 Sister of Charity Attendant New York
"Sister" M. Ann 58 Sister of Charity Attendant Ireland
"Sister" Josepha 23 Sister of Charity Attendant Ireland
"Sister" Camilla 37 Sister of Charity Attendant Ireland
"Sister" M. Ellen 23 Sister of Charity Attendant Ireland
"Sister" Dorothy 32 Sister of Charity Attendant Ireland
"Sister" Lucia 24 Sister of Charity Attendant Massachusetts
"Sister" M. Joseph 57 Sister of Charity Attendant Mississippi
"Sister" Amelia 39 Sister of Charity Attendant New York
Koppins George 21 Single Fireman England
Walsh John 40 Single Farm Labor New York
McDonnell George 23 Single Farm Labor Ireland
Mann William 60 Single Farm Labor Illinois
Brownson Ernest 24 Single Watchman Michigan
Schloff Matthew 14 Single Farm Labor Ireland
Ryan John 35 Single Attendant Michigan
Welch Henry 29 Single Attendant Michigan
Crich Sidney R. 33 Single Attendant Michigan
O'Connor Edmond J. 35 Single Attendant Michigan
Kerr Annie 30 Single Nurse Canada
Stewart Mary H. 34 Single Nurse New York
Williams Ida 40 Married Nurse D.C.
Williams Agnes 15 Single at School Maryland
Henderson Mary 27 Single Servant Wisconsin
Knaetgberg Lonior 25 Single Servant Germany
Grace Nettie 22 Single Servant Michigan
Eresta Mannie 26 Single Servant Michigan
Mingarton Emma 48 Married Servant Germany
McCue Mary J. 24 Single Patient Canada
O'Brien Michel 70 Widow Patient Ireland
Krenane ? Mary 68 Widow Patient Ireland
Evans Catherine 28 Single Patient Ohio
Burkart Mary 47 Widow Patient Michigan
Miller Charles S. 28 Married Patient Michigan
Kreuger Henry 33 Married Patient Michigan
Clark Annie 37 Single Patient Connecticutt
O'Brien Mary 44 Single Patient Canada
Hurbner William 18 Single Patient Michigan
Carr Daniel 70 Single Patient Ireland
Kernahan Hannah 62 Single Patient Ireland
Ford Mary 65 Single Patient Ireland
Chaffer Elizabeth 69 Single Patient Michigan
Gafney Annie 41 Single Patient Illinois
Custigan Grace 47 Single Patient Ireland
Higgins Mary 58 Single Patient Michigan
Brand Bridget 65 Single Patient Ireland
Carroll Eliza 59 Single Patient Ireland
Slater Mary 49 Married Patient Kentucky
Loore Eli 49 Single Patient Ohio
Carey Timothy 64 Single Patient Ireland
Watson Frank 55 Single Patient Michigan
Collins John 52 Single Patient Ireland
Uchr Mary 46 Married Patient France
Rose Josephine 59 Married Patient Unknown
Hammer Catherine 49 Single Patient Germany
McKay Johanna 43 Single Patient Michigan
Reinildio Rose 59 Single Patient Germany
McArdle Bridget 64 Single Patient Ireland
Huser Catherine 65 Widow Patient Germany
Simington Frank 43 Single Patient Wisconsin
Thompson Ann 48 Married Patient New York
Rooney James 51 Single Patient Ireland
Hockley Catherine 37 Single Patient Ohio
Schmitz Mary 46 Married Patient Michigan
Clark Mary 60 Single Patient Ireland
Blair Amanda 73 Widow Patient New York
Hennesey Ellen 44 Single Patient Illinois
Such Catherine 61 Single Patient Germany
Warner Margaret 57 Single Patient Michigan
Doyle Hannah 58 Married Patient Ireland
Corse Judith 54 Single Patient Bohemia
Lambeck Mary S. 64 Single Patient Germany
Lomax Johanna 52 Single Patient Indiana
Hemins Fanny 68 Married Patient Michigan
Neiseer Lizzie 46 Married Patient Maryland
Endure Mary A. 53 Single Patient Germany
Burks Danice 63 Married Patient Michigan
Reagan Margorie 55 Single Patient Ireland
Rabyt Mary 48 Single Patient Michigan
Hurley Hannah 53 Single Patient Ireland
Sullivan Mary H. 55 Married Patient Wisconsin
Holly Margaret 39 Single Patient Ireland
Mechan Mary 55 Single Patient Illinois
Crofton Victoria 56 Single Patient Ireland
Patton James 44 Single Patient Ireland
McCormick Ann 61 Widow Patient Ireland
Clark Rose 49 Single Patient Ireland
Deweny Thomas 56 Single Patient Ireland
O'Flynn Louise 50 Single Patient Michigan
Kelly Maggie 56 Single Patient Michigan
Margeson Lizzie 41 Single Patient Ohio
Beador Eugenia 41 Single Patient Michigan
Merritt Ellen 71 Widow Patient England
Frochlich Barbara 60 Single Patient Germany
Hanrahan Julia 50 Single Patient Iowa
Malone Bridget 51 Single Patient Ireland
Rowan Annie 39 Single Patient Iowa
Tooney Thomas 55 Single Patient Ireland
Griner Andrew 34 Single Patient Michigan
Fitzgerald William 34 Single Patient Nebraska
Deyett Emma 56 Single Patient Ohio
Quinn Alicia 39 Single Patient Vermont
Plunkett Lizzie 51 Single Patient Ireland
Gartner Lucinda C. 55 Single Patient Michigan
Martin William 31 Single Patient Michigan
Connell Margaret 60 Married Patient Connecticutt
Comin Matilda 45 Married Patient New York
Hickey John 32 Single Patient Michigan
Ryan Nora 38 Married Patient Illinois
McName Thomas 47 Single Patient Ohio
Ritten Wilhemina 33 Single Patient Germany
Havey Mary 29 Single Patient Massachusetts
McGuigan Nellie 27 Single Patient Canada
Briger Martin 55 Single Patient Ohio
Marx Anton 49 Single Patient Germany
Gancy Margaret 56 Single Patient Ireland
Sullivan Ellen 40 Married Patient Canada
Brillant Isabelle 50 Married Patient Michigan
O'Briene James 72 Single Patient New York
Cahill Patrick 79 Widow Patient Ireland
Metzger Mary 35 Single Patient Germany
Gallagher Ellen 49 Single Patient Pennsylvania
Beird David 38 Single Patient Canada
Richard Charlotte 58 Married Patient Michigan
Kaiser Hildegard 40 Single Patient Ohio
Crow Alice 40 Single Patient Pennsylvania
Irwin Michael 84 Widow Patient Ireland
Keyte George S. 63 Single Patient New York
Harper Mary J. 62 Widow Patient Canada
Knox Deborah 40 Single Patient Michigan
Cable Bessie 25 Single Patient Michigan
O'Sullivan Ellen 55 Single Patient Ireland
Bergan Corneluis 76 Single Patient Ireland
Zeigler Annie 49 Single Patient Ohio
Dec Margaret 40 Single Patient England
Welfare Catherine 59 Married Patient Ireland
Cook Rocarina 50 Single Patient Michigan
Sirman Christine 51 Single Patient Germany
Downs Margaret 54 Single Patient Ireland
Kincey Rachel 44 Single Patient Ohio
McDermett Margaret 32 Single Patient Ohio
Cronkin Mary 46 Single Patient Wisconsin
Mylott Sebina 51 Married Patient Ireland
Gardy Murray 23 Single Patient Canada
Schultz Martin 66 Married Patient Germany
Ryan John 35 Single Patient Indiana
Garvin Mary 55 Married Patient Ireland
Butler Michael 23 Single Patient Michigan
Butzel Fannie 31 Single Patient Michigan
Kennedy Catherine 74 Widow Patient Ireland
Ryan Maria 43 Married Patient Michigan
Shilling Laura 32 Single Patient Michigan
Murphy Sarah E. 32 Single Patient Michigan
Riley Mary 36 Married Patient Ireland
Gulet ? Emily 37 Married Patient Canada
Story Arthur 72 Married Patient New Hampshire
King Ada M. 36 Single Patient New York
Rattiman Frank 44 Widow Patient New York
High Grace E. 14 Single Patient Michigan
Clark Olwin H. 40 Single Patient Pennsylvania
McKinney Ellen 73 Single Patient Ireland
LaBounty Michael 43 Married Patient Michigan
Burns Mary 50 Married Patient Connecticutt
Graham Ann 40 Married Patient Ireland
O'Neil Edward 44 Married Patient Michigan
Campbell Harriet E. 55 Widow Patient Michigan
McDonough Thomas 33 Single Patient Ireland
Damon Thomas 33 Single Patient Ohio
Standard Eunice D. 36 Single Patient Michigan
Kreiger Mary 45 Married Patient New York
Kinne Florence S. 52 Married Patient Michigan
Heinrichsdorf Mary 34 Married Patient England
Demody Mary 70 Widow Patient Ireland
White Carry 31 Single Patient Michigan
Sullivan Thomas 27 Single Patient Ohio
Laughlin Edward 25 Single Patient Michigan
Sullivan Benjamin 17 Single Patient Michigan
Perry Marshall 56 Single Patient Michigan
Madden Elizabeth 34 Single Patient Ireland
Forger Louis 26 Single Patient Michigan
DeLoonce Stephen 40 Widow Patient Canada
O'Donnell Bridget 57 Single Patient New York
Lyons Catherine 44 Married Patient Michigan
Haman Dominita 35 Single Patient Wisconsin
McInerry Catherine 40 Single Patient Michigan
Bingham Reuben 38 Married Patient England
Cowen William 16 Single Patient Michigan
Loomis Vernon 23 Single Patient Michigan
Cobb Albert W. 46 Widow Patient Wisconsin
Burke Bridget 70 Married Patient Ireland
Higgins Agnes 31 Single Patient Michigan
Kelly Michael 32 Single Patient New York
Birnell Flora 56 Divorced Patient Canada
Jorae Joseph 46 Single Patient Michigan
Sheak Mary 26 Single Patient Michigan
McInery Ellen 64 Widow Patient Ireland
St Aubin Abbie 41 Married Patient Michigan
Hume Florentine 22 Single Patient Ohio
Chalifor Lucy 78 Widow Patient Canada
McGingan Catherine 44 Single Patient Pennsylvania
McCarthy John 66 Single Patient Ireland
Gait Sarah 49 Married Patient Canada
Johnston William P. 66 Widow Patient Scotland
Newman Bessie 30 Single Patient Germany
Donovan Catherine 75 Widow Patient Ireland
Callahan Hanora 79 Widow Patient Ireland
Campbell Nellie 50 Married Patient Ireland
Bonnot Nellie 27 Single Patient Pennsylvania
Joslen Max 26 Single Patient Michigan
Coyne Sarah 53 Single Patient New York
Carroll Mary 17 Single Patient Michigan
Groner Mary R. 57 Single Patient Kentucky
Kirchner Annie 42 Widow Patient Germany
Finch Francis M. 67 Married Patient Ohio
Smith Mary 47 Single Patient Michigan
Harvey Edward 40 Widow Patient Ireland
Mahoney Ellen 67 Single Patient Ireland
Carrigan Thomas 59 Single Patient Michigan
Katty Elizabeth 24 Single Patient Michigan
Schoen Bertha 42 Single Patient Germany
Jaworski Helena 60 Single Patient Poland
O'Lary Catherine 21 Single Patient Michigan
Decker Helen 78 Widow Patient Germany
Oddos Emery R. 53 Single Patient France
Salonde Emma 12 Single Patient Michigan
Corriga Catherine 57 Single Patient Ireland
Biglow Catherine L. 38 Single Patient California
Hooen Ella 57 Married Patient Ireland
Honghter Verland A. 25 Single Patient New York
Layden Lauretta 17 Single Patient Michigan
Gone Ellen 82 Widow Patient Massachusetts
Friend Anna 42 Single Patient Minnesota
Christin Mary 56 Single Patient Ohio
Sullivan John 43 Single Patient Michigan
Cavanaugh Edward 34 Single Patient Michigan
Hodges Rachael 34 Married Patient Michigan
Elwell Susan G. 37 Single Patient New York
Keal George 84 Married Patient England
McGregory Ada H. 35 Single Patient England


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