The Spiker Family Gathering Place

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Written 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 100^th 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 100^th!!!

(For more detailed info about the land patents, disputes and deeds, see Spiker Farm History - Union District, Ritchie County, West Virginia written by Mike Spiker.)

♦  Submitted by Barbara Stroud-Thrush

     This picture is from Cole & Kylie's wedding on December 2, 2017 in Ouray, CO. They are currently living in Dalhart, TX where Cole is a farm manager for Agri-Vision and Kylie is a case manager for Cal Farley Boys Ranch.