Mary Ellen Venable

Chamber Announces Pioneer Farm Family

When Peter Luginbyhl came to Northwest Arkansas from Germany in 1866, he had no way of knowing that he would become so established here that his children, granddaughter and great grand­daughters would be born not only on the same homestead but in the same house. The family has even attended the same church, Liberty Baptist Church, for over 100 years.

This kind of tradition of establishing a family's roots and maintaning a family farm is the tradition honored each year as the Chamber of Commerce and the Washington County Farm Bureau select the Washington County Pioneeer Farm Family of the Year. Families qualifying must have owned and operated their farm for a minimum of 100 years.

This year, Edward and Mary Ellen Brogdon of Lincoln are our Pioneer Farm Family. Mary Ellen's great grand father, Peter Luginbyhl (now spelled Luginbuel). purchased 80 acres near Dutch Mills just outside Lincoln, adding 40 more acres ot the farm in 1890. His son, E.W., purchased all his brothers and sisters portons of the farm in 1911 following the death of his pareents.

E.W.'s only daughter Anna was born on the family farm. Later she and her husband William Gibson "Bill" Venable, lived there, in rooms adjoining the original farmhouse. Bill and Anna, along with their two daughters, Mary Ellen and Anna Ruth, continued to operate the family farm, with Anna inheriting the farm in 1953.

Anna lived on the farm, in the same home in which she was born, until her death earlier this year. Her daughter, Mary Ellen, and Mary Ellen's husband, Edward Brogdon, continue to raise cattle and hay on the 120-acre homestead.

"This began as a family farm," Mary Ellen explained. "Peter came from Germany via Switzerland, eventually settling near Dutch Mills. In the tradition of arms a hundred years ago, they seem to have had a little bit of everything they needed for their own use. "Stories in a historical records indicate the family had "some hogs, goats and sold extra grain, "however mainstay of hte Luginbuel farm was and still is cattle.

Chickens, ducks and horses also abound, but these are for Mary Ellen's enjoyment. Although not raised on a cattle farm, Ed seems quite at home bringing in hay, re­ pairing tractors and "collecting things."

"We are so pleased to have been selected for this award," Mary Ellen said. "My only regret is that my mother isn't alive to receive it. Life herfe is pretty easy now. They lived here during the hard times when things weren't easy. My mother loved history. This award wouldf have meant a lot to here.