The nation’s largest barn quilt trail in Shawano County continues to grow with the addition of its 401st quilt. It is on a barn owned by Sheldon and Merissa Cannon at W3896 County Road BE, Bonduel.
The Cannons just moved to their new home a few months ago. They plan to grow sunflowers, fruits and vegetables and raise beef cattle. Thus, their quilt pattern, which combines the two, is called “Beef and Blooms.” It was painted by the Shawano County barn quilt committee.
Sheldon Cannon grew up working on farms in the Bonduel and Cecil areas, and both he and Merissa had wanted to have their own place. When this one came up for sale, they purchased 2.5 acres of the property, which includes the barn and house.
The farm was homesteaded by John Luebker and his wife in 1869 when they moved to the area from Dodge County. They built a log cabin on the property in 1870 and added onto the house and built the barn in 1900.
Theodor and Alma (Luebker) Kupsky owned the farm for a number of years, until it was purchased by Ted and Marian (Westphal) Kupsky in 1958. They sold the last piece of the farm land in 2008. The farm was an active dairy farm from 1900 to 1987 and went through several owners after Ted and Marian moved out. Formerly known as the Luebker Family Homestead, it is now the Cannon Family Farm.
“We really like our quilt and are very happy to be part of Shawano County’s barn quilt trail,” Merissa Cannon said.
The barn quilt was put on display by LeRoy Raddant and his son, Keith, who owns Raddant Electric in Shawano.
Barn quilt combines cattle with flowers
