Return to the Land

ever since. David O. apparently had a close relationship with Dad because he made a special effort to ensure that his grandson inherited a portion of his land holdings. Adjoining the Nobusiness farm was a parcel of land south to Rush Branch, which he gave to another grandson, Frank E. Wright, the son of my Uncle Willie. John Harvey took care of the farm after his father-in-law died and had my father help in the harvesting of crops and tilling the land. Dad left home to further his education and would then enter World War I. During this time Grandfather Miller paid the taxes and kept the land intact while Dad was away and until he was able to pay the taxes himself. By then the farmland had fallen into a considerable decline. But during the Depression it once again played an important role in my family’s survival.

A westward view of the farm including the Dalton place Originally purchased in 1933

When Mother and Dad came to the farm there was little farming activity. They had no machinery, horses, or cattle. Their primary objective was to build a cabin in which to live until they could find new employment. Destiny would have a slightly different plan for them. Once the home was built the farm began to take on new life. A garden plot was established from which they obtained much of their food. Mother learned farm life the hard way by trial and error. She finally learned how to preserve fruit and vegetables through the canning process and a

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