By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

GERMANTOWN, Ohio — There are many Century Farms throughout Ohio, but Martie Henry-Mycoff of Germantown has most of them beat - by nearly 100 years.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) recognizes families who have maintained a farm in their family for at least 100 consecutive years. And the Mycoff homestead has been around since 1807.

“I’m the seventh generation to reside on this land,” Martie said proudly. “Being a history buff I know (the ownership) by heart.”
Her great-great-great-great grandfather was Andrew Zeller, who came to the Ohio Valley from Pennsylvania with his family in 1805. Andrew fought in the Revolutionary War. Tobacco was the chief crop for Andrew and his family. Germantown back then was popular for its tobacco and whiskey.

“Andrew was a circuit riding preacher on horseback, and he built a church on the property,” Martie said. “It was the first Church of the United Brethren. And he spoke German. I still have the very chest he owned when he arrived in Ohio in a wagon.”

Andrew’s church has been documented as the first church constructed west of the Allegheny Mountains. It was razed in 1950.
Soon after arriving in Ohio he erected two tobacco barns. Both are still in place, though weather has taken its toll on the structures.
A central barn (date unknown) has withstood the forces of nature. The original hand-hewn beams anchor this structure, which nearly dwarfs the original home.

Andrew’s son, John, was next to occupy the house and the four square miles of land. John was a soldier in the War of 1812.
John’s son, George, was next to occupy this homestead. And his son, Abia, followed his footsteps in this home.

“When Abia returned from the Civil War, he was severely wounded,” Martie said.

“He was speared in the hip by a bayonet during the war - which is why I’m a Civil War re-enactor to this day.”

Abia (Martie’s great grandfather) had a daughter named Addie Mae Zeller. Addie’s son, Zeller Henry (or Martie’s father), inherited the land and home and became the sixth generation at this farm. To this day Martie and Walt raise corn and soybeans on the 148 acres and rent the farmhouse to a couple and their children.

Martie has three children and her brother has one child.
Plans are to preserve the six structures, but divide the land between the two families. A few newer homes have crept up close to the family’s land on Little Twin Road just about three miles north of Germantown, but there is no thought of selling the land or demolishing the old structures.

Families who wish to have their farm recognized by the ODA as a Century Farm must fill out a registration form. Qualifying farms receive a certificate signed by the Governor of Ohio.

For more information about the Century Farms Programs call the ODA at 614-728-6200 or email to agri@agri.ohio.gov