Honoring Sesquicentennial Farms in DeKalb County
Tindall Farm
City: Kirkland
Township: South Grove
Original Date of Purchase: 1843
Current Owners: Rich & Lyn Tindall, Tyler & Kristen Tindall, Tracy & Eric Keyster and Cheryl Tindall
Acres: 465
Farm History: In 1841, Jesse Tindall came from Michigan to locate on a farm in South Grove near Kirkland, IL. His family lived in a log house until they moved into a new frame house on the farm a few years later.

Jesse received land grants from President James Polk in 1843 to purchase farmland. Today, one of those land grants signed by President Polk hangs proudly in the Richard Tindall home.
The Tindall Farm is registered as one of Illinois’ Sesquicentennial farms. It has been continuously farmed by a Tindall for 179 years.

Jesse’s son, George Monroe, took over the farm and during that time in the early 1900s he served in the state legislature. In 1911, he turned over the farm to his son, Roy. In 1936, Roy retired and the farm was then operated by his sons, George Richards and Harry.
George’s son, Richard, returned home in 1980 and began farming the land. Richard and Lyn raised their four children – Trisha, Tracy, Tiffany and Tyler – on the family farm. As their children grew, they also helped over the years with the day-to-day farming. Rich and Lyn still reside on the family farm.

In 2015, Richard’s son, Tyler, began farming. Tyler is the sixth generation family farmer. Tyler and Kristen have three children – Caleb, Connor and Claire. Their oldest son, Caleb, started actively driving tractors and working in the fields this year. Austin Blassage and Keaton Rauman, Richard’s grandsons, have also been engaged in the farming operation helping their Uncle Tyler.
Tyler purchased some of the original farmland in 2018. Tyler is now an organic farmer raising wheat, oats, corn, soybeans, and popcorn. Tyler uses no fertilizer or chemicals but utilizes crop rotations for weed control. His farming practices relate back to his great-great grandfather’s methods.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Centennial & Sesquicentennial Farms Program honors generations of farmers who have worked to maintain family farms for 100+ years. The DeKalb County Farm Bureau recognizes these local farms and families – the ninth in a series of features. To have your farm featured, contact the Farm Bureau.