Oh I started with nothing alright. Gas royalties checks didn't come until I was 47 years old. I still have a day job.
5 generations? I am a descendant of Peyton Bland. He was driving cattle from Texas to New Orleans way before the cattle drives started going north out of Texas. Every generation thereafter ran cattle. Times are different now and there are new tools and new ways. Being 8 generations into this in Texas never had me looking at the info Cypress's furnished in this original thread and the discussions thereto. I got perspectives from some who have been at this for over 40 years.
At one time I had read every post dun ever made. Add to that msscamp, caustic and others. It is too bad my brain cannot remember all that info.
Yes I have now inherited some land too. I would trade it all back to have my Dad and grandad here.
When I bought my original place no bank would even loan me the money to punch a water well. I had to go to family to borrow it. It took 3 years to repay the loan.