The story of any multi-generation family farm is really nothing more than the story of the families who have labored over the years to produce food and fiber and to build an enduring legacy. This page traces the history of Engelland Farms through five generations of central Kansas farming families.
Jurgen and Anna Engelland
Jurgen Engelland was born to Jacob Engelland and Franke Thode Engelland on 2 Oct 1851 in Hohn, Schleswig-Holstein. Anna Johannsen Engelland was born to Jacob Johannsen and Eva Thuming Johannsen on 13 Nov 1850 in Hamdorf, Schleswig-Holstein. The cities of Hohn and Hamdorf are about 6 miles apart in Southern Schleswig, nearly in the middle of the Jutland Peninsula and just north of the Kiel Canal.
The Schleswig-Holstein designation may require some elaboration for modern readers. Today, Schleswig-Holstein is the northernmost of the sixteen states of Germany, comprising most of the duchy of Holstein (historically a German fief) and the southern part of the former Danish duchy of Schleswig. Anna and Jurgen grew up during a tumultuous period for this region as Denmark’s efforts to reintegrate the Duchy of Schleswig were opposed by Prussia and Austria. The Schleswig-Holstein Question triggered the First Schleswig War (1848-1851) and was eventually resolved by the Second Schleswig War (1864) with Denmark ceding control of the duchies to Prussia and Austria. After World War I, the 1920 Schleswig Plebiscites reunified Northern Schleswig with Denmark, but Southern Schleswig (including the cities of Hohn and Hamdorf) remained German territory.
In 1869, Jurgen and his brother David along with several cousins immigrated to the United States. One can’t help but speculate that their immigration was motivated by the turmoil in Schleswig-Holstein. After a brief sojourn in Illinois, the brothers settled as homesteaders in Rice County, Kansas in 1871.
Jurgen and Anna were married on 2 May 1876. They established a successful farming operation and were blessed with 8 children (4 boys and 4 girls). The photo below shows Jurgen, Anna, and four of their children in front of their Rice County homestead.
Jurgen & Anna Engelland with children (L-R Hattie, Lizzie, Tony, and John) pictured in front of Rice County, KS homestead. Photo date is approximately 1888.
In July 2003 several of John Engelland’s grandchildren viewed this old photo in the Rice County Coronado Quivira Museum where and then visited the Engelland homestead.
Numerous descendants of Jurgen and Anna continue to farm in the Rice County area. This website tells the story of but one of their legacy family farms.
Tony and Mary Alice Engelland
Jacob Anthony (Tony) was born to Jurgen and Anna on 29 Sep. 1878 at the homestead house pictured above. Mary Alice was born to John Jacob Oden and Mary Jane Renollet Oden on 6 Mar. 1883 in Rice County, KS. Tony and Mary Alice were married on 2 Apr. 1902. They are pictured below with their two oldest children.
Tony and Mary Alice with children Ansel and Ethel in front of their farmhouse which is located about 1 mile northeast of Jurgen’s homestead. Photo date is approximately 1909.
Alvin and Evelyn
To be posted.
Alvin and Evelyn’s chapter in this farm family story is covered in the outstanding documentary DVD “On Wings Like Eagles: Stories From My Grandmother” created and produced by Elizabeth G Engelland.
John and Judy Engelland
A portion of John and Judy’s story is told in this newspaper article from 1975.
More to come..
Mark and Sarah Engelland
A portion of Mark and Sarah’s story is told in this newspaper article from 2003.
More to come…
Can I buy a copy of the DVD?
Thanks for creating this – glad the old homestead is still in the family’s hands and doing well!
I suspect that the Juergen/Anna family picture may be mis-labeled. I believe the baby in the picture is George Albert, not Hattie. George was born on January 19, 1885. The baby looks about 8 months old, and if it is George, this would make Lizzie 2 years and eight months old. If George were missing from the picture, and the baby was really Hattie, then Lizzie would have to be about 5 years old at the time of the picture, but she doesn’t look that old.