The Ziegenhorn ancestors came to America in 1865 by ship from Germany to Peoria, Illinois. They moved to Fairbury, Illinois, in 1868 and became tenant farmers. Aaron Ziegenhorn was one of 12 children and his wife, Nettie, was one of 11 children born in the 1880’s.
Aaron farmed as a tenant farmer from 1914 to 1929, when he quit farming and started working for Walton’s Department Store selling John Deere equipment. In 1939, Aaron purchased the John Deere dealership, and in 1946 he purchased the Ziegenhorn Farm — 180 tillable acres and 65 acres of timber and pasture land.
Ziegenhorn and Sons was run by Aaron and his sons Cliff, John, and Robert. The family prospered in Fairbury in the John Deere business, serving the farmers of Illinois for 53 years until the business was closed in 1992.
In 1998, the Ziegenhorn Farm went to public auction, where it was purchased by Steve Ziegenhorn, one of Aaron’s grandchildren. Steve was not interested in farming the land, so the tillable acres were sold to neighboring farmers and he kept the 65 acres of timberland. Fairbury residents have enjoyed Ziegenhorn’s Timber for fishing, camping, and family outings for over 60 years.
From 1998 until today, the property has been developed with the idea of opening the timber as a business — giving everyone the opportunity to experience the beauty of Ziegenhorn’s Timber through tent camping, cabin rentals, weddings, and other special events.
