yesterday's tennessee

WEST TENNESSEE'S FARM HERITAGE EVIDENT IN POPE CENTURY FARM

by Bob Sugg*

THE WEST TENNESSEE FARM

Marvin Downing, Editor
Published by The University of Tennessee at Martin, 1979

A Tennessee Century Farm in West Tennessee is in "good hands" because of two significant factors: proud parentage and progressive farming operations. In August of 1976 a portion of the Pope Farms was singled out as one of Tennessee's Century Farms and honored "for 100 years or more of continuous ownership and operations as a family agricultural enterprise." The farm is located 1.5 miles south of Yorkville in Gibson County on the Nebo Road. Miss Anne Pope and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Pope are the owners, are sister and brother and are the great grandchildren of William M. Bradley who purchased some 246 acres in the fall of 1866. (Picture A)

  The second generation heirs of the property were Sally A. Bradley, John Bradley, Sam Bradley and Will Bradley — children of William M. Bradley and his wife, Martha (Berkley) Bradley. Sally A. Bradley and William M. Pope were married in November of 1889 and 46 acres of land were deeded to her on December 1, 1890. The Popes raised corn, small grain and cotton, but they also invested in cattle, hogs, and poultry. (Picture B) They had two sons, Bradley Wilkes (who died during early childhood), and Opie B. and one daughter, Amma Joyce (Pope) Zarecor. These children represented the third generation. Opie B. remained on the farm and continued the farming tradition. He married Juanita Baker of Yorkville in 1913 and later a dairy business became part of the farming operation. He is fondly remembered in the area for his work in the Artificial Breeders Association and his capable assistance in the outstanding Jersey Cattle Shows held in Yorkville. Front page coverage in the Memphis Press-Scimitar was given to one of the shows in the August 26, 1933 edition. These shows were mainly directed by the late Will Jones (father of Congressman Ed Jones), Frank Vaughan (father of Wilbur Vaughan of Martin), and Opie B. Pope. (Picture C) In memory of his untiring efforts to the Yorkville Jersey Cattle Club and to the community, a special tribute was given Mr. Pope at the 31st Annual Show. (Picture D)

  Opie B. and Juanita's two children, Anne and Joe, are the fourth generation owners of the 1976 Century Farm. Miss Anne, since 1960, has been a teacher at UTM and is currently serving as an Associate Professor in the School of Economics. Prior to this she taught 9 years at Springhill. Anne vividly recalls on one occasion, when Joe was in the hospital, the cows decided that the fence was a bit too confining. So, at three o'clock in the morning Anne participated in a fence mending chore. Although Anne has a residence in Martin, she lives during the weekends, holidays and summer sessions in the old home place that was built in 1920. (Picture E)

  Joe, Anne's brother, has his own home on the farm and is presently continuing the farming operation. He married Carolyn Dunagan and their children, Carol Anne and Joe Franklin, are the fifth generation of Bradley decendants to live on the land. For a number of years Joe, who earned his B.S. degree in Agriculture from UTK, assisted his father in the dairy industry and farming operation. In 1973 Joe discontinued his dairy farming and started raising beef cattle. (Picture F) In addition he raises corn and soybeans. Carol Anne attended UTM her freshman year and later transfered to UTK where she finished in the top 5% of her graduating class. Her earned degree was a B.S. in Marketing. Today she is applying her skills with Cargill Company and lives in Memphis. Joe Franklin is a senior at UTM and will graduate this spring with a B.S. degree in Agriculture. Both Carol Anne and Franklin are horse enthusiasts. Franklin is a member of UTM's rodeo team. With a sense of pride, Franklin (a 5th generation descendent) plans to return to the farm and assist his dad in the farming operation.

  Yes, family pride and progressive farming operations characterize the people of the Pope Farms. Who knows for sure, but possibly in 2066 this farm could be honored for 200 years of "continuous ownership and operation as a family agricultural enterprise."

  *Mr. Bob Sugg lived on a farm for many years and now teaches in the English Department of the University of Tennessee at Martin.

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