The Ron and Sheila Patten family have been farming at Edson for a long—some might say a very long time.
Started in 1872, the multi-generation farm family was recognized Aug. 6 at the Wisconsin State Fair for having a 150 year old or ‘sesquicentennial’ farm, to use the fancier term. Started by David and Hattie Patten, the farm with deed signed by Ulysses S. Grant sits on Highway MM south of Boyd, just down the road from pioneer farmer Edson Chubb’s farm and the Edson Town Hall.
The history of the Patten farm is long, retold in a family history kept in the home.
“In the years 1872, David A. Patten acquired the first 80 acres of the Patten farm for $700,” the chronicle begins. “A few years later another 40 acres was purchased for $285.”
With this initial land purchase, the now sesquicentennial Patten Farm was born. David had been born in Boston the son of Alexander Patten, moving to Edson with his family in the 1860s. David lived on their farm west of Edson Center before buying the present site.
With David marrying Hattie Mansur on January 26, 1884, the couple would go on to have 16 children, including one that died at birth. The other 15 were raised on the family farm. Oxen were used for heavy work in the early years, while horses were used for things that were considered light work, as well as riding.
In the early days stories were told of Indians coming buy to warm up on winter trips, David giving food to help out.
At the same time and with a large family to feed, David worked as a foreman in early logging camps, using oxen to pull out wagons and sleighs that became stuck while pulled by horses. David also did river log drives when younger, with Hattie and the children doing much of the farm work as he sought additional income.
In those days the Patten farm had seven or eight cows, along with pigs, sheep, and chickens. Crops of “corn, wheat, buckwheat, oats, barley, and hay” were also grown. Each fall David loaded the lumber wagon and went to Dells Mills in Augusta to have wheat and buckwheat made into flour, while the corn was made into corn meal. Physical labor was a given in they early days, with crops harvested by hand and animals watered either from a spring (the cattle) or else pumping water by hand for them.
In 1903 there was a setback, as a barn near the house burned down after some of the older boys decided to play with matches. Fought by necessity with yard pump and bucket, the fire resulted in a total loss.
A new barn was built in 1904, with lumber cut from the farm. The clearing of trees allowed more land for farming, with planting increased and milk cows added.
In 1916 Hattie died and in 1922 David followed, with the farm passing to Earl Patten, who bought it from the estate for $7,000. Personal property was bought for $2,310. At the time Earl bought it the farm consisted of “12 cows, some young stock, pigs, sheep, chicken, and three draft horses,” along with some farm machinery. Earl ran the farm with the help of his older sister Maime and others until November 7, 1928, when he married Olive Bolling. Olive had been a school teacher, with Maime staying on the farm to help with chores and raising of Earl and Olive’s two children, Erla Jean and Robert.
Money for improvements to the farm was realized through raising sheep, pigs, and chickens, along with 18 cows milked by hand. Eggs were sold for grocery money, with peas raised in the summer months for additional income.
In 1935 the first tractor was purchased and electricity came towards the end of the 1930s, installed from 1938 to 1939. A new machine shed was built. In time Robert grew up and got married to Carol Wruck, living on the farm for a year before purchasing one near Stanley. Maime died during the 1960s after helping ensure the farm would continue by her help. Additions were made to the farm including a barn basement and silos. Earl’s grandson Ron started with the farm March 3, 1973, renting the farm and machinery from Earl and Olive. He also purchased some of the cows. As 1979 came and went the farm had 36 cows, milked in an updated facility. Ron became an EMT and joined the Boyd-Edson-Delmar Volunteer Ambulance Service in 1979. Come 1980, high winds felled 500 to 600 trees in the Patten farm woods, these being white pine and turned into lumber.
On November 6, 1982 Ron married Sheila Schuebel, who became an EMT with the Boyd-Edson-Delmar Rural Fire Department.
From Earl and Olive Patten the farm passed to Ron and Sheila, who went on to raise three boys: Alex, Steven, and David, bringing the story full circle.
Of the three, Alex is most involved in the farm on a day to day basis, being an agronomist by trade and involved with a farm the family owns at Stanley.
With 152 years behind it, the tradition now looks to enter a new generation. Previously involved in dairy, the Patten family is now involved in other farm ventures, including beef cattle, corn, and soybeans. Having outside income is one thing that has kept them going.
“We’ve always had something outside,” Ron says of the farm and outside work.