A24-Lancttt*r Farming, Saturday, April 10, 1993 Lutz Family (Continued from Pago A 1) 89 acres, of which 30 are tillable, and the rest woodland or open grassland. Lutz said he has lived on the farm all but 10 years of his life (for a short while, in Kempton). He loves the land, which is evident in all the time he spends taking care of it, including his favorite part, the orchard. The orchard, according to Lutz, has many different varieties of fruit, including 16 varieties of apple, eight of peach, eight of plum, seven of pecan, four of apri cot, four of English walnut, two of black walnut, two of hickory, and one of almond. He has also planted cherry trees, many of which still exist, in addition to four varieties of grapes. Finding time away from full time work at the freight company has left him little time to manage Lutz, who has spent a great deal of time sorting through old documents and digging up information, recalled how fragile the old deeds were you had to be careful not to easily tear pages because they had become so brittle sr l 'f, gi9c. ft ft Ht. A Fraktur details the Lutz family hist This recent aerial photo shows the farmstead. The white building in foreground was once used as a milkhouse. Enjoys Life the varieties, however. About the varieties, he said, “I have the best bloodlines, but that doesn’t do you any good. You can have the best encyclopedia on the shelf, but unless that knowledge is used Lutz said the orchard “has been an interesting experiment,” and for the time off, “it’s better than silling around the house watching television." Much of that philosophy dates from when Lutz used to listen to his father, who, like many early residents of the valley, struggled to make a living. Lutz said his father “had a saying, It’s better to wear out than to rust out.” Purchased In 1858 The farm was purchased in 1858 by his great great grandparents. Issac and Sybilla Lutz. “They were using English money at the v s s * Tvl- X? Vtfciti > «&rm &v* ■VS*"* if • ‘ . ; : ;V t - ” Lester Lutz said he lives in the “Switzerland of northern Berks.” On one side lie what countians refer to as “The Pinnacle” and, on the other, the majestic Blue Moun tain. The Lutz Farm recently honored as a Century Farm, with more than a 100 years in the family sits In the lush valley. Photo by Andy Andrews. lime the transactions were recorded,” said Lutz. “Not in dol lars and cents, but pounds.” Lutz, who has spent a great deal of time sorting through old docu ments and digging up information, recalled how fragile the old deeds were you had to be careful not to easily tear pages because they had become so brittle. Many docu ments show that, on the deeds, often the names are used with dif ferent spellings. His great grand father’s name, “Alanius” on the deed, was spelled “Lenius” on the tombstone. “Sybilla” was often called “Sybia.” In fact. Lutz has kept a careful family tree, noting births, mar riages, and deaths of the entire family. Logs on the family name are kept in Frakturs and on an extensive, typed out family tree, wound up in a scroll which Lutz handles with great care. The one-time fanner has kept an entire library on the Lutz family history, noting important events. One event was a model bam con struction demonstration he pre sented at the 1972 Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Festival at Kutztown, published, with his photo, in the April 1973 issue of National Geographic. But his love rests with the nearly The one-time farmer has kept an entire library on the Lutz family history, noting Important events. 90 fruit trees that line the hill near est the homestead. He said they are in need of upkeep now, and as soon as fair weather arrives. Lutz said he’ll be tending to them. He’ll also be planting more trees. Of the trees, Lutz said, “They j name are. ipt on an extensive, typed out family tree, wound up In a scroll which Lutz handles with great care. were fun to take care of when they were little puppies. My wife said, who is going to take care of them when they’re fully grown? Well, they’re fully grown.”
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers