BSHS Hall of Fame 2024
2024 Pioneer Award
Ira Inman (1868-1954)
If you are looking for one person that provided the leadership instrumental in the recognition of Brown Swiss as a major dairy breed in the US, that would be Ira Inman. Ira was not only Executive Secretary for the Association for 32 years, but he was a breeder as well and an inspiration to all Brown Swiss breeders.
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Ira Inman
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Breeder: Ira’s interest in Brown Swiss cattle began when in 1886 his older brother Tom, or T.H. Inman, brought the first Brown Swiss into Wisconsin with four cows and a bull purchased from J. B. Eldredge of Middle Falls, NY, one of the original importers of cattle from Switzerland. Ira worked for his brother taking care of the cattle, making the show circuit and by 1890 he started developing his own herd.
Ira married Susie Taylor on June 8, 1898, and established their home on a farm near Orfordville, Wisconsin, and later moved to a Beloit farm. Ira started many herds in the area and was instrumental in exporting Brown Swiss to Japan, Chile, Argentina, Cuba, South Africa, Mexico, and the Hawaiian Islands.
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Illini Nellie
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The best-known animals bred by Ira were McJohn’s Nellie M 17455 and her daughter, Illini Nellie 26578. Nellie M was sold to the University of Illinois carrying Illini Nellie. And we all know the Illini Nellie story of producing a record of 29,569 pounds of milk and 1200 pounds of fat which stood as a breed record from 1937 to 1949.
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Breed Leader: Due to his enthusiasm for the Brown Swiss breed and his leadership ability, Ira was elected as Secretary of the Brown Swiss Association in January 1911. He established its office in a small basement room in his farmhouse on Riverside Drive, north of Beloit. (That farm area was later developed into housing known as Garden Village in the 1960’s, where Roger & Jean Neitzel have lived for the past 45 years. The area where his house stood is now Riverside Terrace Assisted Living. At the end of Inman Parkway are Inman buildings with an Inman Turkey sign.)
When Ira became secretary, the Association owed a sizable printing bill for Volume 1 of the Herd Book. When he retired, the association had an investment fund of over $36,000 and a checking account balance of almost $18,000. In Ira’s first year, the association registered 574 animals and the number grew to 12,819 in Ira’s final year. Here is Ira and his staff in the 1930’s.
The following are important events during Ira's tenure:
- May 1911 – The Register of Production Testing Program was adopted.
- July 1922 – The first issue of the Brown Swiss Bulletin was published.
- 1925 – The Association was incorporated.
- 1932 – The Herd Testing Program was established.
- 1933 – Brown Swiss were included in the Collegiate Dairy Judging Contest at the Dairy Cattle Congress.
- 1936 – The permanent home for the Association at 800 Pleasant Street in Beloit was purchased and the building was remodeled for office needs. Built in 1856, the office is still the Association home today.
- 1938 – A Breed Extension Program was established. Fred Idtse was hired as the first field representative covering the entire US.
- 1938 – The first Parade of Champions was held at the National Dairy Show.
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On July 29, 1941, Ira was honored in recognition of 30 years of service as Secretary and a plaque was unveiled which remains located near the cornerstone of the office building.
Community Leader: Ira served as assemblyman in the Wisconsin legislature from 1932 to 1936. He was appointed to the State Board of Agriculture in 1938, serving as Vice-chairman until 1942 when he became Chairman of the Board until 1951.
Acknowledgement:
In the first issue of the larger-size Bulletin in July 1946, Secretary Fred Idtse paid tribute to Ira as the man who had probably contributed more than any other single individual to the Brown Swiss breed’s progress. His sound planning and wise counsel have influenced Association policies in the many years since. (Ira passed away on December 1, 1954).
Honor: Today we recognize Ira Inman as a Pioneer in the Brown Swiss Historical Society Hall of Fame. (We were unable to locate a relative to accept this award.)