In searching a part of my family tree, I came across a census record that perplexes me and hope someone here can help me understand some information it contains. In the 1860 Federal Census for Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa, Page 2, I show John D. Yerington with an illness of "Religious Excitement - Insane". There are several other "Insane" references within a few people listed on this census. This seems unusual to me. I have noticed other references to "Insane" in other census records...but not so many on one page or within 2 or 3 pages of each other. It should be noted that John is not living with his wife, Sarah (Wade), who is listed in another township in the same county, with their 3 children. Ultimately, by the 1870 census John is back living with his wife and they now have 7 children. He is not listed as "insane" in this census or in the subsequent 1880 census. It appears he died after the 1880 census...and Sarah remarried to Abraham Christian for a short time because by the 1900 census he is also deceased and Sarah is found living with her son, Dan W Yerington in Cedar County.

I would appreciate any help to understand the dynamics of this family. If John had a "nervous breakdown" and was institutionalized, then I would just like to know that for my records. Thank you for any help you can provide.