Mexico Orphan's Home

Philanthropy of our GG Grandfather Levi Miller

Orphans and Widows Home 

Becomes large modern nursing residence "Timbercrest"

About 1889 Levi P. Miller, one of the early settlers of Jefferson 
township and a devout member of the German Baptist church, donated 
a site and erected a building near Mexico for an "Old Folks' and 
Orphan Children's Home," on condition that the churches of his 
denomination in what is known as the Middle District of Indiana sup- 
port the institution. When the home was first opened the old folks 
and children were kept together, but it was soon discovered that the 
playfulness of the young ones was sometimes annoying to the elder 
inmates, or that the sedateness of the old served to check the natural 
tendency of the children to amuse themselves. Other buildings were 
therefore erected so that the homes are kept separate, though under the 
same management. Orphans are received from a number of counties 
in central and northern Indiana and are well cared for at the home, at 
a charge of twenty-five cents per day for each child, until suitable 
homes can be found for them. The institution is under the control of 
a board of five directors, selected by the German Baptist church, and 
for a number of years Rev. Frank Fisher has held the position of 
superintendent. Mr. Fisher publishes a paper called The Orphan, 
which has a large circulation in Indiana and adjoining states. Although 
the home is not, strictly speaking, a charitable institution in the sense 
that it dispenses alms or aid in a general way, it has done a great work 
in finding homes for orphan children and in caring for old people, who 
might otherwise have become a charge upon the county.

MEXICO ORPHANS HOME [Mexico, Miami County]
The editor of the Macy Monitor recently visited the orphans' home at Mexico which is conducted by Rev. Frank Fisher. He was favorably impressed with the excellent management everywhere manifest. The Monitor says: "He has children there from almost everywhere, and is fortunate in finding them homes. The work that is being done there stands at the head of philanthropic enterprises and is justified from a business standpoint by the fact that it is self-supporting. The home was started by the munificence of Levi Miller, a well-to-do farmer who lives in that neighborhood, and contains sixteen acres. There has been added since, fifteen acres, which gives work to all the children during the summer. It is an ideal place for children who are left alone in the world. At present there are forty children. there."
[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, October 30, 1900]

NEWS OF THE DAY
The Mexico Orphans Home reports the following Fulton County children in the Home: Daisy Kershner; Alfred, Fern, Burdell and Fred Gray; and Clara and Fred White.
[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, May 16, 1907]

MEXICO ORPHANS' HOME NOW FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE
Peru, Ind., Nov. 12 - The Mexico Welfare Home, operated by the Church of the Brethren for more than 50 years, will no longer care for orphaned children and in the future will be used only as a home for elderly persons. This change was made effective today and more than 25 orphans who were in the institution were placed in private homes in Miami and adjoining counties.
The welfare law enacted by the state legislature several years ago makes provisions for the support of homeless children. Since the law went into effect more children are being placed in private homes and there has been a large decrease in the number of applicants at orphan homes thruout the state.
The Mexico institution was founded in 1888 by Levi P. Miller, and a few years later an Old Folks Home was established there. As many as 175 children have been enrolled at the orphan Home. Miss Mary South is the present superintendent.
Rev. Frank Fisher, 85, who was superintendent of the Welfare Home for 35 years, now is a resident there, having his own cottage.
The News-Sentinel, Thursday, November 12, 1942] Mexico Welfare Home, Mexico, Indiana and Timbercrest Retirement Community, North Manchester, Indiana: In 1889, Levi P. Miller donated land and a building near Mexico, IN for the purpose of establishing a home for the aged. The district agreed to assume direction. Seventeen residents were admitted during the first year. A parallel concern for orphans was soon raised and was cared for by Miller again, who built a second building at his own expense in 1892 for use as an orphange. By 1917 over 1,500 children had been admitted and in 1936 the name was changed to the Mexico Welfare Home. The orphanage was discontinued in 1943 and the home for the aged was remodeled and enlarged. By 1951 both the northern and southern districts of Indiana had joined in sponsoring the institution. The Mexico home was closed in 1968 and remaining residents were transferred to the newly built retirement home in North Manchester that was called Timbercrest. TImbercrest was considered a continuation of the Mexico Welfare Home. Excerpted from The Brethren Encyclopedia