Follow us as we take a look at the history of the Wisconsin Brown Swiss...
1869 First Brown Swiss imported to United States from Switzerland by Henry M. Clark, Belmont, Massachusetts
September 8, 1880 Worcester, Massachusetts, National Brown Swiss Association is formed.
March 15, 1886 First registered Brown Swiss in WI. T.H. Inman, Hanover, purchases 4 females and one bull from J.B. Eldredge, Middle Falls, NY. Females were: Nannie Haab 299; Ilda 297; Duchess of Geneva 286; and Jennie Burgi 269 plus one heifer in dam. The bull was Donald G. Burgi 195.
January 3, 1887 The first bull registered from Wisconsin was Badger Boy 316, born this day. His dam was Jennie Burgi 269. His sire Donald G. Burgi 195, bred and owned by T. H. Inman.
March 16, 1887 Nanie Haab calved on this date with Badger Girl 438, being the first bred and owned calf registered in Wisconsin.
1888 Inman purchases 11 females including Eva Burgi 248, an imported animal and dam of Jennie Burgi, purchased earlier. “Eva Burgi 248 was later sold to Dietrich Freitag, Monticello.”
October 5, 1888 The first Wisconsin transfer was from Inman to L.R. Edgerton, Spring Prairie.
February 8, 1891 Ira Inman, younger brother of Tom (T.H.) first registered Swiss, Lazette 743, is born.
June 4, 1892 Jacob Voegeli, Monticello, purchases Plymouth Rose 806 and a bull, Young John 503, from T.H. Inman, thus begins Voegeli Farm known then as Valley Grove Swiss. The V. B. stands for Voegeli Brothers. June, 1895
November 11, 1895
Inman purchases 5 animals from F.A. Squires, Blue Earth, MN. John Ingold, Monroe, purchases the bull Ronaldo 719 from T.H. Inman.
November, 1897 Inman purchases 6 animals from Miss Hannah E. Cooper, Blue Earth, MN.
June 9, 1898 Ira Inman purchases the W.T. Fleharty herd, New Madison, IL.
1900 John Ingold, Monroe, purchases his first Brown Swiss.
February 5, 1905 Jacob Voegeli registers his first Swiss, Helvetia V 3088, born this day. Dam is Ruth Mc 2223, bred by H.W. Ayres, Honey Creek, WI.
1907 The first National Show held that included Brown Swiss. Folie 1552 was the first Champion, owned by F.R. Hazard, NY, and later purchased by Allynhurst Farm, Delavan.
1908 Cuma, owned by H.W. Ayres, Honey Creek, becomes the second Grand Champion cow at the National Dairy Show. The first National Champion from WI. Mr. Ayers introduced Brown Swiss into 2 state colleges. In 1909 he loaned the UW the cow Merney 2859. She proved to be the most economical producer. Merney made the greatest net profit in a herd of 35 of the different breeds for the year! In 1919 his herd was slaughtered due to tuberculosis. Undaunted, he set out to purchase cattle of his breeding to restock. After the death of Patrick Cudahy, Milwaukee, Mr. Ayers was able to buy 8 cows from the Cudahy estate to build his second herd. Due to his illness, the herd of 42 good “Sweitzers” sold in Feb. 1924 for an average of $175. 2016 buying power would be at $2392.
1911 Ira Inman, Beloit is elected Secretary of the Brown Swiss Association, a position he holds until he retired on Jan. 1, 1942.
1911 Zell 2512, owned by H.W. Ayres, Honey Creek, is National Show Champion Bull.
1911 Betty of Allynhurst 4539, is the 5th National Show Champion, owned by J.P Allyn, Allynhurst Farm, Delevan.
1912-1914 Allynhurst Farm has National Show Champion cows with My One Baby 3378 (1912); Belle of Gratton 5144 (1913); and Arlene 2769 (1914). 1869 - 1914 3