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Young's Keeps Historic Jersey
Memories Alive
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June is dairy month and Clark County is rich in dairy history. Dairy on farms actually peaked in 1934. That year 2041 farms in Clark County reported milking a total of 13,514 cows. Most were milked by hand and that's why farms only averaged seven cows per farm. In 1934, there were 793 farms reporting that they churned butter on the farm.
Dairy was the major source of income for Ohio farms through the 1960's. However, this was not the case in Clark County. From 1900 to 1960 dairy was always second to hogs in Clark County. In fact, these two farm commodities exceed all the other combined, including greenhouse and nursery. Today, dairy ranks sixth, hogs fifth and greenhouse-nursery first. My grandfather's farm was a day's drive back in the 1950's. Since my Dad was the only florist in the county, we seldom ventured anywhere for fear of someone dying and needing flowers. In fact, the first vacation my family ever had was when they dropped me off my freshman year at the University of Kentucky and the other four proceded on to the Smoky Mountains for a week without me. I guess the motel rooms only had room for four, and I was number five. Since we only visited Grandpa's farm every two or three years, my early farm experience came from the dairy-tobacco farm of my best friend, Eddie Elliott. This farm milked seven Jersey cows and ever since then I have had a great appreciation for the dairy industry. In fact, my hobby is collecting milk bottles from Clark County dairies. The dairy industry has been big business in Clark County for over 100 years. I have researched dairies in Clark County and I have found 100 dairies that have bottled and sold milk in the past century. I personally own milk bottles from 36 Clark County dairies but there are others who far exceeds my collection. One of them is Andy Marshall and I am just amazed with all his knowledge of the local dairy history. When he comes into my office, I make time to see him because he is a fountain of knowledge on the local dairy history. Today, only Reiter bottles and sells milk in Clark County. Nationally, Springfield was famous for Jersey Cattle. There are five major breeds of dairy cattle, but almost all are Holstein or Jersey. No other place in the country had a richer Jersey influence than the Springfield, Ohio area. Thanks to my good friend, Carl Gravenkemper, I am able to share with you some Jersey history. I guess I owe Carl twice since his daughter was one of the best 4-H Summer Assistants we ever had in the Extension Office. From available data, the late William Garrison, near Springfield brought the first Jersey to the Miami Valley during the year 1880. In 1902, Mr. Garrison imported bull calves, which were from the most famous bull known at that time, Golden Lad. Along with whose bulls Chalmer C. Folck selected four imported cows for the Gwynglen Farm. These imported cattle mated with local Jerseys showed remarkable improvement, thus propelling Springfield into national prominence for Jersey Cattle. The American Polled Jersey Cattle Club was organized in 1900 at Springfield, Ohio, which continued to be the headquarters throughout its existence. In 1902, the first 4-H Club was founded by A.B. Graham. The club's charter president was J. Lynn Gower, who became a prominent local Jersey Breeder. In 1983, Mr. Gower was inducted into the Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame. The Springfield Jersey Cattle Club was organized in 1920. Carl gave me two pictures of the club. One was in the summer of 1921, when the Springfield Jersey Club sponsored a two-day tour to all Jersey farms in the area. The picture was in front of Judge Kunkle's home on his Jersey Farm, which bottled milk from 1936 to 1942. Hugh Kunkle still farms today, but there are no dairy cows around the place. The other picture was taken in 1950. It was at the club's 30th anniversary banquet and the charter officers were Chester Folck, President, Albert Kunkle, Secretary and Edwin Lohnes, Treasurer. Ed Lohnes, raised on an Enon Jersey Farm became President of M&M Federal Savings and Loan. Chester Folck was a genius at marketing Jersey Cattle. In 1927, he conceived the idea of an "Annual Sale", captioned by the phrase: "Jerseys With A Future". This sale became the longest continuous sale of all dairy breeds, lasting over fifty years. The revival of the All-American was due to his efforts, along with the late A.G. Samuelson. It can be safely stated that more Jerseys have been shipped from Springfield, Ohio than from any other city in America. The slogan "Jersey Center of America" was never challenged and stood for many years. Springfield's dominance showed at the National All-American Jersey Shows 1958 to 1964 when six of the seven years was won by a Clark County Farm. They were H.F. Hupman & Son, Don Brewer & Son, M.L. Baird and Sons, Folck and Sons, Elmer Brewer and Son and Keifer Brothers. This month the American Jersey Cattle Association will hold its national meeting June 25-28 in Columbus, Ohio. I will be one of the tour leaders of Jersey farms in Ohio. Times change and the tour will be in Wayne County, which is number one now in Jersey farms. However, I told them I would only serve if I could tell the audience about the rich Clark County Jersey History. Today, Jersey Cattle are found on few Clark County farms. Thanks to Young's Jersey Dairy we are still nationally known. This rich history still lives on in many of our hearts. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Admin. and Director, OSU Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868 Updated: June 2003 |