J & J Ranch
Austin County, Seven miles west of Sealy Between Hillboldt Road and FM 2187
Founder in: 1888
Founder: Fritz Doernbrack
Current Owners: Luella Hillboldt and Janis Class
Luella Doernbrack Hillboldt was born on the property. When she was a little girl she rode a hors to school about four miles from home. Growing up on the farm, she hd tto pick cotton, milk cows, cut tops off the corn then pull the corn by hand. She also had to help her mother with cooking, canning and cleaning. Most everthing had to be done by hand a there was no elecctricity.
Hillboldt is 91 years-old and lives alone in the house that she and her husband bought when they got maried in January 1938. Her daughter and son-in-law have lived on the property since May 1973. They raise cattle and kieep up the fences and all other things that need to be done on the place.
Acres in original parcel: 200
Crops or livestock raised: 1888 - cattle, chickens, corn, cotton, hay, hogs and peanuts; 2011 - Cattle.
As told by Luella Doernbrack Hillboldt, great granddaughter of the founder.
(She died 23 Dec. 2010.)
Family Land Heritage 100 year honoree
