The year was 1830 when the Young family, driven by courage and the promise of fertile Indiana soil, settled along the banks of what was then known as Muskrat Creek. Like so many early pioneers, they faced the harsh realities of frontier life—dense woods to clear, wild game to hunt, and the constant labor of carving a home from the wilderness. The creek that once bore the name of muskrats who dwelled along its muddy banks would, over time, come to be known as Little Sugar Creek. The farm that grew around it became more than just a homestead; it was a gathering place, a safe haven, and a symbol of perseverance. Generation after generation of Youngs called Little Sugar Creek Farm home. Through the years, the land remained a touchstone—anchoring the family in a legacy of hard work and heartfelt tradition. Barns were raised with the help of neighbors. Crops were planted by hand and harvested with hope. Meals were shared at long wooden tables, stories passed down over cornbread and cider.

And today, as Boone County continues to grow and evolve, the memory of those who first broke ground along the creek is still alive—etched into the fields, whispered through the trees, and carried in the hearts of their descendants. What follows is a brief history of the Young family farm.

The Young family farm was founded on December 17, 1829, by pioneer William Young. He was born on Christmas Eve in 1790 in Rogersville, Tennessee,to parents John Young and Margaret Galbraith. As a young adult, William married Jane Rutledge on December 14, 1814. Jane was born in Wythe County, Virginia. In 1829, on horseback, William and Jane moved to Boone County, settling in Jefferson Township where they purchased 1,200 acres of land that bordered the Montgomery County line. It is important to note that William’s brother, Claibourne, accompanied William and Jane to Boone County and lived on the property as well. Initially, they lived in tents until two rudimentary log cabins were built. During the time of these log cabins, some of the first organized religious services in Boone County were held by Claibourne, a prominent Presbyterian leader of the time. Claibourne is also known to be the founder of both the Shannondale and Thorntown Presbyterian churches. William and Jane had four children: Eliza Ann (1817), William Carroll (1819), Margaret Jane (1823) and Robert Finley (1827). Tragically, Jane died on September 4, 1830, just one year after their move to Boone County. She was the first to be interred in the Shannondale Cemetery. Not much is known about the children after the death of Jane. However, we do know that their daughter, Margaret Jane, lived to be 100 years old, dying on August 24, 1924. Just five years after Jane’s death, William remarried Mary “Polly” Van Nice on January 13, 1835. Polly and William had two sons: John Van Nice (1836) and George Thomas (1841). On May 13, 1857, Polly died at the age of 56. By 1866, William had completed the construction of the beautiful brick home that is featured as the face of what is now known as Little Sugar Creek Farm. In the September 1886 issue of the Lebanon Pioneer, the farm was described as “one of the finest locations in Boone County, with green pastures, roaming cattle—a young “Eden” of a place.” The house is a magnificent two-story brick farmhouse, with the bricks being manufactured on the property. The house had beautiful paned windows surrounding every room in the house. Each window was adorned on the outside by tall handcrafted wood shutters. The front door was encased by a small covered porch with grand stairs that led to a sprawling yard where a variety of trees were planted. The yard was encased in a wrought iron fence, complete with a decorative gate. Just outside the gate was a hitching post for friends and neighbors to tie up their horses while visiting. Two chimney stacks rose up from the pitched roof of the house. A third chimney could be seen on a smaller section of the house protruding off the back, likely the kitchen. This portion of the house also had a back entrance. Just outside of this entrance, a large bell stood tall, ready to ring and get the attention of all that lived and worked on the farm. Regrettably, William only got to enjoy life in the house for three years before he passed on Halloween of 1869 at the age of 78. Upon his death, the home and all of his property were inherited by his son, John V. Young.

John V. Young married Elizabeth A. Caldwell on May 11, 1857 (just two days before the death of his mother). John V. Young and Sarah (Elizabeth) were neighbors growing up. As evidenced by the land parcel map included below, we can see “W.M. Caldwell” in parcel 19 just north of land owned by J.V. Young. It is unknown how W.M. Caldwell is related to Sarah, as her parents were Robert and Sibba. John and Sarah were blessed with six children, four of whom lived to adulthood. They were: Alonzo Arthur, Omer B., Edward C., and William Lee. The two deceased were named Louise T. and Addison. Included below is a touching tribute to Louise “Louie” Young in the Daily Journal, written by her Sunday School teacher. Louie was 27 when she passed.

John V. Young was not only a farmer but a renowned livestock owner. It is noted that some of his horses were among the best bred in the county. He was also a devoted Jacksonian Democrat who served as both a justice of the peace and township trustee. Additionally, it is noted that John devoted both his time and wealth to various educational and church happenings. Thirty-one years after their marriage, John tried to divorce Elizabeth citing insanity as the reason. The case was brought before a judge in November of 1888, where she was found to be of unsound mind. In the 1900 census, Elizabeth is not listed as a member of the household, only John and his son Lee as well as a servant. John V. Young passed away on November 4, 1921 at the ripe old age of 85.

After John V. passed, ownership of the farm changed hands from the Young family to the Loveless family. There is some discrepancy about how this exchange happened. Some reports say that the bank took ownership of the farm at the beginning of the Great Depression, and other accounts say that the Loveless family purchased the farm directly from the Young family. We do know that during this time frame, indoor plumbing and electricity were added to the house. Unfortunately, there is no documentation to definitively determine exactly how the exchange happened. In the 1950 census, William Loveless, 42, is listed as the head of household with other family members including his wife Mary and his 18-year-old son Byron. The farm remained in the possession of the Loveless family until 2024, when it was purchased by Lisa and Nathan Truitt.

While Nathan Truitt is a lifelong resident of Boone County, he and his wife, Lisa, have both come to deeply appreciate the community they call home. Together, they are excited to preserve the history and legacy of the Young family farm. They plan to make changes to the house in order to restore it to what it would have looked like during the time that it was owned by the Youngs. They are adding the wood shutters back to the outside of the house as well as a door and window that have been bricked over. They also plan to replace the bell that once stood outside the back of the house. They have many other plans for the property, most notable being to turn the farm into a venue where Boone County residents can gather together as a community and enjoy the legacy that is now Little Sugar Creek Farm.

If you have stories, photographs, or details about Little Sugar Creek Farm or the families that lived here, we would love to hear from you. Every piece of history helps keep the legacy alive!