Valley View Over the Years...

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An Over View of a Texas Century Farm

In 1893, George A. Knudson purchased approximately a half section of land from the H. N. Smith Estate and the Harry White Cattle Co. The first house on the place was an old two-room dwelling bought from Ben Ammons. George used a yoke of oxen to drag the house from Mustang Creek to the present house site.

Two sons and four daughters were born to George and Olena. All were born on this farm except the oldest, Conrad, who was born near the Norse Community in 1893. In 1905, the two-story house was built and the barn added in 1908. Olena died of complications from the birth of their sixth child in 1909, leaving George with all six children to care for.

In 1914, Conrad and Sadie Grimland were married in Saint Olaf Lutheran (Rock) Church. They began their married life with a ready-made family. George’s children grew to adulthood here while Conrad and Sadie began their own family.

Tirah was born in 1915, and A. C. was born in 1917. The 1919 influenza epidemic brought tragedy again with the death of A. C. Tirah was extremely ill, but regained her health. From 1920 to 1933, four sons (Wade, Carroll, Milburn, and Gene) were born. During the years of World Wars and Depression, Conrad and Sadie continued to farm, raise their family, be faithful Christians in Saint Olaf’s congregation, and participate in community events.

One year, at the closing of Mustang School, individuals were asked to advertise their farms/businesses in order to raise money for a curtain for the auditorium. When Conrad was asked what to put on the curtain… he said, “Valley View.” That name has been used off and on over the years.

George continued to live with Conrad and Sadie until his death in June 1957.

In the early 1960s, all of Conrad and Sadie’s sons agreed that their sister Tirah and J. M. should purchase Valley View Farm for retirement. J. M. and Tirah owned this farm from 1964 until 1989. During that time, a change was made from farming and raising cattle to leasing out land for farming and grazing cattle. Sheep and goats were still raised. Conrad lived here until his death in 1978, and, in 1980, Sadie moved to Sunset Home in Clifton where she lived until her death in 1992.

When J. M. and Tirah gave this farm to their children in 1989, Barbara Epley and Diana Hodde (Bob’s widow) agreed to each sell her one-third portion to Mark.

Nineteen-ninety-three marked one hundred years for family ownership of this farm. Mark was the last person born here June 17, 1939, and J. M.’s wish to die here became a reality December 26, 1991.

Tirah continued to live here, where she was born, until April 2000. Then she moved to Tyssen Hall at Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home. We moved here permanently in June 2000—retiring after thirty-seven years in education. The transition was pleasant since this place has always been part of Mark’s life and then our married life. It was good coming home to Bosque County.

Matt, Miriam, Jake, and Morgan continue to bring happiness to this hundred-year-old house since they moved here in 2003. We all worked diligently on a new building here through the spring, summer and fall of 2004 and they moved into their new home and workplace in October. Before she died November 4, 2004, Tirah was excited about their ministries being carried on at the farm. Six generations have touched others’ lives from Grandpa George through Mark to Morgan and Jake.

A great many events have occurred on this land. Many lives have been affected by simply being here. We welcome you and hope your stay is pleasant and that you will return…

Mark & Jan Wallace