Pictured with the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award plaque from left in back are Eric and Andrea (Peters) Hunnicutt and their three daughters (in front), Aubrey, Everly, and Kennedy; Gordon and Lisa Peters and Jaylen Peters. photo by Aurora News-Register – Ron Burtz
Reprinted from Henderson News
The Gordon Peters family of Aurora was presented with a plaque at the Hamilton County Fair honoring them as the owners of a farm that has been in their family for more than 100 years.
The award is presented by the Aksarben Foundation, in partnership with the Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers, which honors families that have held the same family ownership of land for 100 (Pioneer Award) and 150 (Heritage Award) years.
A documentation of the ownership of the Peters farm is for four generations.
In 1923, the plat map showed ownership of a quarter of land belonging to Cornelius D. Peters (Gordon’s great-grandfather). The family story begins with Cornelius owning 80 acres of ground for each of his 16 children to inherit.
In 1937, the plat map showed ownership of a quarter of land belonging to LC “Leonard” Peters (Gordon’s grandfather). The family story is that during the depression, Leonard felt unable to “make it” and tried to give the farm back to the bank. The bank didn’t want the farm back and encouraged him to “stick with it” and make his payments.
In 2010, the plat map showed the quarter owned by Levi and Leanna Peters (Gordon’s parents).
In 2023, Gordon and Lisa Peters purchased the quarter from the Estate of Levi and Leanna Peters.
However, through more research, it was discovered that Gordon’s great-grandfather, Cornelius D. Peters, purchased the farm in 1917, making the ownership of the ground longer than 100 years to date.
