Carlton family farm stands the test of time

Submitted photos-- Roy and Pearl Carlton, the second owners of the Carlton farm.

The 2004 Old Settlers Picnic in Sheldon saw the University of Missouri's Century Farm Award presented to Elizabeth Brown. The farm was founded in 1902 by her grandparents Oliver and Mollie Carlton. They purchased 160 acres for $1,600, which was located 4 miles west of Sheldon. Pleasant Run creek runs through the farm.

The history that can be traced to the owners of this farm throughout its time is priceless. Relatives dating back to 1842 have owned land and even slaves. Elizabeth's great-grandfather owned 200 acres in Alabama where Auburn University now sits. Mollie's father helped throw a printing press in the Kansas River in Lawrence during the Civil War. The family also could be traced to Jesse James.

With all the history, Oliver and Mollie lived a very quiet life, simply visiting with neighbors, going to church on Sunday's and could be counted on to vote (Democrat) each and every election. They had two children, Roy and Emma. Emma lived to the age of three and Roy went on to inherited the farm in 1950 after his mother and father had passed away. Oliver in 1937 and Mollie in 1950.

Roy married Pearl Orem in 1920, with Elizabeth coming along in 1921. Roy bought 40 acres that joined his fathers 160 acres. Roy and Pearl led just as quiet lives and did Oliver and Mollie. They attended the Avola Community church, went to Nevada every Saturday so that Roy could go to Weltey's Sale Barn and Pearl and Elizabeth could shop at the Square.

One a year in the fall, they went to Kansas City to attend the American Royal. Roy loved his 1951 Dodge pickup which his grandson has restored. Pearl passed away in 1983 and Roy lived to 1985, passing away at almost 99 years old.

Being an only child, Elizabeth inherited the farm in 1985, thus maintaining the same family ownership to qualify it for the award. She married Alvin (Jack) Brown in 1940, having six children. Jack and Elizabeth bought a farm two miles north of Sheldon in 1952 which she still owns today. A tornado destroyed the house and outbuildings on the Carlton place in 1982, so just the pasture land is left.

The land is leased out today and the 160 acres will remain in the family. In 2004 Jack passed away not being able to see the farm presented it's award. Jack's love other than his family were his Charolais cattle.

Jack baled hay and tended to his cattle but always had other jobs. Farming was almost a hobby and love than a job to him.

Elizabeth moved to Nevada where she currently resides and their farm is rented out. Elizabeth said, "God has been good to us, we have good memories of both farms."