May 2018

One Hundred Years at the Spiker Family Farm

Construction of the Spiker family's home was completed in 1918. Here's a little history.

By Bobbi Spiker-Conley

Quilly Manley Zinn (1814-1867) was the first settler on what is now known as the Spiker Farm, a 55± acre tract of land at the mouth of Bear Run where it enters Middle Fork of Hughes River. According to Bradford Zinn Spiker, the first dwelling - a log cabin - was built sometime during 1840-1841. The second dwelling - the large wood home pictured below - was built at the same location around 1860-70. Quilly Manley and wife, Lucy Ann (Wilson) Zinn (1825-1880) raised 11 children on this land.

The 1860-70 House

After their deaths, the property was deeded to son Marion Bukey Zinn (1846-1927.) He and wife, Alice (Bush) Zinn (1851-1927,) raised seven children in this house, one of which was our Grandmother Gay. 

On April 14, 1907, Missouri Gay Zinn (1884-1967) married Jacob Spiker (1881-1956) at the home. And it was there that they raised five of their seven children before it burned to the ground in 1917. The third dwelling - the existing house where the youngest children, Kitty and Bob, were born - was built on the same spot. Construction of the Spiker Family Farm House was completed in 1918.

The 1917-1918 House

As we celebrate our family home’s 100th year, we naturally wonder what life was like for our grandparents back then. A few notable events that occurred in 1918:

  • The first Tarzan film, “Tarzan of the Apes,” premiered at Broadway Theater.
  • The Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, the deadliest in history, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide - about one-third of the planet’s population - and killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million.
  • The U.S. Congress established Time Zones.
  • Daylight Saving Time was approved.
  • The United States Post Office Department (later renamed United States Postal Service) began the first regular airmail service in the world.
  • The Boston Red Sox defeated the Chicago Cubs for the 1918 Wold Series championship (their last World Series win until 2004.)
  • The Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, was shot down and killed.
  • World War I (aka, the Great War) ended on November 11.

Happy 100th!!!