150 years strong: Chesnut family receive Heritage Farm award

By: 
Bethany Carson

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The Barry and Daria Chesnut farm in rural Clarksville was one of 148 farms recognized as a Heritage Farm at the Iowa State Fair this year for keeping at least 40 acres (in their case, 80 acres) in the family for 150 years.
     Many family members joined on stage during the fair to receive the award. Barry and Daria were joined by siblings, cousins and extended family. They enjoyed the great program, and 50 friends and family gathered afterward for a dinner party to celebrate.
     The original 160 acres were purchased by Chesnut’s great grandfather John Burroughs and his brother Samuel Burroughs on Sept. 9, 1868 for $1500.
     The Burroughs harked from Illinois. John and Samuel both served the Union in the Civil War, and had saved up the money they earned in the service to purchase the farm. $1500 was quite a bit of money at the time—nine dollars an acre.
 
Read more in the September 20 edition of the STAR.

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