In the 1840’s my great-great grandparents forged their way from Germany to Texas to escape oppression. I picture my Great-great grandfather finding this location, plunking up a handful of rich soil and saying “Das ist Gut” (this is good). It was here, in the Texas Hill Country, where they homesteaded.
My maternal grandfather bought the property – over 350 acres – from his siblings. My grandparents lived here for forty years of their marriage but sold it to a cousin when age made farm life too difficult. Then, the cousin lost it when he divorced.
Thirty years later, we got the homestead back in the family. Although we only own 4 acres, we benefit from our neighbor who owns the surrounding farmland.
It is quiet, peaceful and brings us back to our roots. It is our Heritage.
My grandfather was born in the original log cabin. My mother was born in the main house where the plaque above the door reads “1889”- the year the main house was built.
If only this 4-500 year-old oak could talk.
But the sunsets speak for themselves.
We go there when we can and, each time, our souls are renewed.
Carolyn Dennis-Willingham 
My dad told me a story about our ancestors, no telling if it’s true or not, but when the two Engler brothers came over from Germany in the 1880s, they got in a quarrel that resulted in one of them thunking an axe down into a stump and proclaiming that they’d go back to Germany for a bit, and, if the axe was still there when they returned, then they would take it as a sign to stay in Michigan. As you can guess, the axe was still there when they got back, and that farmland is still in our family. My dad currently farms it now. We’re not sure who will take over when he’s no longer able to farm, but time will tell. I’m pretty sure neither my brothers or myself want to see it in any hands but Engler hands, as it’s been for over 100 years.
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I know! A history like that is hard to let go of! I’m glad it’s still in your family. I wonder how they made it all the way up to Michigan. Mine sailed to Galveston and made it to the Fredericksburg, TX area. Those Germans were hard workers. Can’t say that about me. I’m only 1/2 🙂
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Happy you still own it, even if it’s only part of it. 😀
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Thank you, Valentina! Yes, I feel very fortunate. Thank you for you response!
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