The Wildman family moved to the country to find
peace, to enjoy the scenery, and to be near their roots. And they did. The
Wildmans also found something they did not expect or anticipate, for with
their move they discovered country neighbors — a network of new friends
willing to help others.
Austin Wildman makes a living as a lawyer in a major law firm.
Some years ago, he lived in a plush suburb at the edge of Columbus. For many,
this is the good life. However, Wildman craved something else. He had a desire
to go back to a place he visited often as a youth.
As a youngster, Wildman remembers his family traveling to a special
countryside hill on many a Sunday afternoon. He never forgot the bird's eye
view from that particular hill in Clark County. He recalls the spectacular
sight as a coal burning steam engine appeared on the horizon at dusk. This
hill that he so vividly remembers has served as a part of Austin Wildman's
ancestry, his youth, and is still a part of his life today.
More than 200 years ago, a log house near that hill was occupied
by ancestors of Wildman. The home as the first residence built on a 1600-acre
land grant was given to a Wildman who had served as a chaplain in the Revolutionary
Army. Wildman and his wife, Sarah, and their sons, Eben and Max, now own that
same log house.
"Our family has deep roots in this community, said Wildman.
My grandfather was born in a nearby big brick house that was the third and
final residence built on the 1600-acre tract. My great-grandfather was also
born near here." Much of the 1600 acres are still owned by Wildmans.
The wildlife on this farm fascinates Austin. He has watched ten
to fifteen deer come into the woods most every night during the fall. His
Columbus friends ask, "Why did you give up a beautiful house in the suburbs
to live way out in the country?" After these friends visit the Wildman farm,
they often ask another question: "Why do we live in the suburbs - it's so
beautiful and peaceful out here in the country."
Austin said, "When we bought the farm, we originally planned to
use it as a weekend retreat. At the time the woods were overgrown. It looked
like a jungle. The farm had been out of production for about 40 years and
multiflora rose had taken over. It took a bulldozer to get rid of it. And
the log cabin had cattle and sheep walking through it. I wanted to bulldoze
the house."
Sarah, however, saw potential in the log cabin
where everybody else saw a mess. "I saw what it could be, " she said. "We
were courting at the time so he was tolerant and indulged my ideas. The cabin
is part of the family history. I couldn't see destroying it." The Wildmans
decided to rescue the cabin.
Although the Wildmans initially wanted the place because of the
scenery and peaceful surrounding, they found the people they encounter in
the community is the reason they stay.
"The total experience of living in a rural area with a network
of new friends all willing to help one another has made this a rewarding experience,"
said Austin. "The neighbors do what they can to help.
Since clearing the land, Wildman has planted more hardwood trees
in the forest area. He wants to perpetuate the walnut grove his father started
when he was a boy. "I don't expect to see results, he said, "But my sons and
future generations will see the results."