“Girl’s Favorite” is the name of the quilt depicted on the barn at the Merry Water Farm, which is located at N1240 Hillside Road in the town of Linn.

The 1857 plat map shows that this farm was owned by L. Traver and T. Ledger. The Traver name is well known in this area. Judson Traver, who owned 40 acres surrounding the school, came to the township in 1839. He was a carpenter by trade, as was his father.

Judson’s father and family came to the area from New York. Judson had one of the first threshing machines and self- binders in the area.

His son, William, was superintendent of the Farmer’s Creamery and operated stores in Springfield and Lake Geneva. He organized the Lakeside Tea Co. and later had the Ford and Dodge agencies in Lake Geneva. Later he operated the Traver Hotel ... now the Metropolitan Church Association on Broad Street.

The 1873 and 1907 plat books show the owner of this property in Section 23 as Thomas Ledger. The 1930 book indicates the owner as A. Ledger. Then in 1966, the owner was Walter York. From 1977 to 1982, the owner is listed as the Walter York Estate. The farm is still in the York family.

Thomas Ledger came from England to this area in 1852 and worked on this farm. He went back to England to marry Fannie Shephard and returned to the farm. He bought the farm in 1856. The farm has been in the family since then. He died in April 1908.

His son, Walter, took over on the farm. Walter had two sons, Walter Jr. and Edward, and two daughters, Eunice and Mrs. Aspinall. Edward stayed on the family farm.

Lawrence York married Eunice Ledger. Lawrence was the son of William and Nellie Ford York. Lawrence and Eunice had three sons -- James, Walter and Ellis -- and two daughters, Ardith and Margaret.

Lawrence was a charter member of Linn 4-H, the first 4-H club in the state of Wisconsin. That club will be celebrating its centennial next year. He was also a charter member of the Linn Farmers Fair. Lawrence died in May 1987. Eunice died in August 2003.