PIERCETON, Ind. – He’s not a mayor, but an Indiana farmer is the head of what some people view as a small town populated entirely by members of his family.

“Everybody calls it Clayville,” said Don Clay Jr.

Clay, 61, is the owner of a 125-acre farm recognized by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture for being in the same family for more than a century.

He lives there with his wife, Vicky, along with his son, daughter, grandchildren and sisters.

They weren’t always together but, eventually, they couldn’t ignore their love for the farm and each other. “There’s three generations living in the farm now,” he said.

After his father passed away in 1991, Clay said he purchased from his sisters their share of the farm, except for two acres. His sisters used the separate parcels to build houses of their own.

Several years ago, Clay said he helped his son and son in-law build houses for their young families on the farm near Pierceton in Kosciusko County.

“We’re all kind of the Clay neighborhood there,” he said.

On April 1, Clay was one of more than 60 recipients of the Centennial Award, Sesquicentennial Award and Bicentennial Award for owning still productive farms that never strayed from their family trees. The awards were presented during a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse.

“It was really interesting,” Clay said.

His great grandparents, Austin and Harriett, started the farm in 1913 by purchasing 60 acres of tillable ground.

Eventually, their son, Harold, added 20 acres by purchasing a farm next to it. His son, Don Clay, later helped his father raise corn and soybeans on the property without modern machinery to plow the soil. They also raised some cattle.

“They were still using horses when he was like seven or eight years old,” he said.

Clay said he’s expanded the farm by another 45 acres since taking ownership. He keeps well over a dozen head of cattle. Six months after birth, the calves are sold to other farms for finishing.

He also raises hay mostly as feed and bedding for the cows. The rest is sold to other farmers. “I sell a little bit but not very much,” he said.

Clay said he and his wife live in one of two original homes on the property while they rent the other residence.

He’s called the farm home ever since he entered the world. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I love it,” he said.

A three-sided barn used to store hay is believed to be an original structure while Clay converted an old tool shed put up by his grandfather into a workshop.

Clay also owns a tree service. His son, Don Clay, III, helps with the farming and the cutting or trimming of trees, along with stump removal. His son also lends a hand with bailing hay and other chores.

Clay said he was thrilled at being recognized for owning what’s considered a piece of Indiana heritage in a state long known for agriculture.

“It’s pretty cool. I like it. It’s awesome,” he said.