General Information

Birth
3 DEC 1939

Notes

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.

Parents

William Bill Gibson Venable
- Father
1915 - 1989
Birth
26 JUL 1915
Summers, Washington County, Arkansas
Death
9 JUL 1989
Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas
Burial
Dutch Mills Cemetery, Washington County, Arkansas
Anna Wahneeta Luginbuel
- Mother
1907 - 1994
Birth
29 SEP 1907
Dutch Mills, Washington County, Arkansas
Death
19 JAN 1994
Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas
Burial
21 JAN 1994
Dutch Mills Cemetery, Washington County, Arkansas

Spouses

John Gilbert Kimmer
- Husband
1925 - 1980
Birth
8 AUG 1925
Married
6 OCT 1963
Death
20 JAN 1980
Edward N. Brogdon
- Husband
1934 - 2020
Birth
15 DEC 1934
Charlotte, Arkansas
Married
2 JUL 1987
Death
5 OCT 2020
Fayettevile, Washington County, Arkansas
Burial
10 OCT 2020
Memorial Gardens, Kennett, Missouri

Children

Lorie Ann Kimmer
- Daughter
Birth
24 JUL 1966