In counties under township organization the overseers of the respective towns shall be ex-officio overseers of the poor.  In towns of more than 4000 inhabitants the county board may appoint an overseer who is a resident of the town.  In counties not under township organization the county board shall designate some suitable  person in each precinct to act as an overseer of the poor.  The overseers have the care of all indigents who are not supported at the county poorhouse; but when such a poorhouse does not exist they may let out the support of the poor by contract.

The county board of any county in which the poor are not supported by the towns thereof has power to establish, maintain , and control county poorhouses. to appoint keepers, a county physician, and a county agent of the poor.  In counties under township organization each town may have its paupers supported in the county poorhouse by paying the fixed rate to the county board.

There are more elaborate provisions to compel under process of law the support of the poor either in whole or part by their relatives according to ability.  for bringing a pauper into a county in which he has no legal residence a fine of $100 may be imposed.

The state board of charities has the duty of inspecting and reporting upon almshouses.