Family Life on the Farm

By the mid-twentieth century, more Americans were dwelling in cities than in rural farming areas, but the United States was originally mostly agrarian. Our ancestors grew up working the land. It was a hard life, but richly rewarding. People had large families. Husbands and wives loved each other, remaining faithful throughout their lives together and children were obedient and respectful. When there was work to be done, the entire family pitched in, cooperating together, until the task was completed. Families ate together, prayed over meals together and were generally close.

Accidents happened regularly and too often, children were the victims. Women died in childbirth and men died in accidents. Many died from disease. Tragedy was a part of life; yet, people remained grateful for the good times, the warm meals, kinship and friendship. They thanked God for small blessings, like a roof that didn’t leak or shoes without holes in them. Animals were a big part of farm life. Our forefathers plowed the fields with mules, used the family buckboard, pulled by one or two horses, for trips into town and kept cattle, laying hens and other livestock for milk, eggs and meat.

Farm families raised their own food and were self-sufficient in all respects. Neighbors helped one another through rough times. Until the 1940s, it was a rare for a farm to have electricity. They manually dug wells for water, using a hand pump and dug another hole out back for an outhouse. Women sewed and mended their family’s clothing and they washed everything by hand, drying them outside on a clothesline. They baked their own bread, canned fruits, vegetables and meat and made soap from lard. They were constantly busy with housecleaning and other chores.