In the mid 1800’s as a young girl, Etta Elizabeth Moore moved west from Otswego, New York with her parents Amos and Lovicly Moore and 10 siblings. After several years the family settled in the area around Storm Lake. It was there that Etta met a young farmer and businessman, William L Whitehead.

In 1878, William purchased 40 Acres from the Iowa Falls and Sioux City Railroad for a total cost of $208. He built a house, out buildings, and a towering barn on a foundation of fieldstones he gathered from miles around. This is where William and Etta spent all of their married life together.

The farm that began as a swampy section of unbroken prairie, with flat fields slowly began to grow as did the family. The Whiteheads had 3 children Frank, Mae, and William. It was  Mae and her husband Guy Shannon who farmed during the early 1900's. Their daughter and son-in-law Rafa and Dean Worthan taking over in the 40's.  By 1973 the fourth generation had returned to the farm. Gary and Jan Worthan raised  3 sons  there.  Today, their son, Gabe Worthan continues the family tradition of helping to till the soil.

Over 5 generations have lived in the big white farm house that “old Will” built. Many siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles all shared birthdays, holidays, weddings and funerals there. Memories are abundant. The big old white house was always the heart of the farm and it was always “a place to come home……”

Original House

1950's

Today

Original barn which still stands today.