Farm & family

The beginning of our story starts in the 1800’s in Saxony, Germany. Long ago, this area was a hotbed of the revolutionaries who took part of the May Uprising in Dresden. During this time, in 1844 the East Tennessee Colonization Company promoted land sales in the Cumberland region. During this time, they targeted immigrants from the kingdom of Saxony who were attempting to flee poor economic conditions. During this time Christian F. and Johanna Heidle immigrated across the Atlantic Ocean on a small boat for three months to come to America. 

The Heidle’s settled on a large piece of property in what is now Eastern Tennessee. The family had eight children. In July 1845, the largest contingent tracts were located at the southwest end of Bird Mountain on a minor plateau between Crooked Fork Creek and Emory river. This plot of land was owned by the Heidle family. There Guenther established a center of a settlement with the popular German name “Wartburg” in memories from the mountain fortress in Wartburg, Germany. 

The Heidle's had a son named Ed Heidle, he is the grandfather of Love Heidle. Love Heidle is the father of Margaret Heidle who married James Howard Gibson. Love practiced many types of farming but mainly specialized in meat processing, dairy, and operating saw mills. Love farmed the property and took care of the land on Liberty Road for years. The house that Margaret Heidle was born in still stands to this day, Love built the house from lumber he cut and saw milled on the property for his family. Years later, Margaret and her sons Mark and James Gibson would care for their family and the property. After retiring from a long career in iron fabrication, Mark returned to the property to reintroduce farming principles to the land. Mark, "Paw" is known for his ability to fix anything. 

James Daniel Gibson, went on to coach college football and then returned home to care for his family. After living on the property, he grew up on, he decided with the help of Paw and brother Roger they would rebuild the farm to what it once was. With two girls by his side,  James decided it was time to fence in the property and do what needed to be done. Alivia Faith, the spunky six-year-old helper would take care of the goats and help walk the fence. Madison Grace, the sweet teenager helps with feed and taking care of the sick goats.  

This is the beginning of the Crooked Fork Farm Family as we know it, as history began and all the potential it holds in store.