Fred P. Durnell (1883-1956), Springfield, MO

Fred P. Durnell was a Jersey breeder and a showman in a class by himself in the opinion of most Jersey herd owners throughout Missouri and the Nation.

Mr. Durnell was born November 11, 1883 at Weaubleau, MO. His parents were Jack and Paulina Durnell. Fred graduated from high school and by 1915 was breeding and showing Jerseys. His farm of 120 acres was located on Highway M. It is now largely a building development. In addition to his dairy interests Mr. Durnell owned a number of beauty shops and barber shops throughout the Midwest.

Fred was married in 1933 to Jewell Piles, who is still living. The couple had five children—three daughters and two sons. One of the daughters is Joan Kunkel of the well know Jo and Jo Farms, Carthage. Joan is an outstanding exhibitor in Jersey circles and also teaches school.

Mr. Durnell in 1932 gained national attention when he bought the cow Lavendar Lady. She had just been named grand champion at the old National Dairy Show and in spite of the “30’s depression” Mr. Durnell paid $3,200 for her. This cow proved to be a great brood matron with five daughters and three sons. Lavendar Lady was a great producer herself and her five daughters had production records ranging from 600 to 835 pounds of butterfat. Her three sons all became herd sires of merit. The progeny of Lavendar Lady provided a foundation for the Durnell herd as a leader in milk production and show ring winnings of national acclaim. This good cow won three National Grand Championships and lived to 18 years of age.

Mr. Durnell encouraged his fellow dairymen to test for production, practice good management and merchandise their cattle. He was particularly interested in young people and often put together a show string of at least one box car load of cattle and included several head from young breeders herds. Fred loved the excitement and challenge of the show ring. He was neat, meticulous and well organized. An able judge of cattle himself, he didn’t exhibit cattle that could not compete for the top. In 1941 the herd won 118 blues, 28 championships and 18 grand champions at major shows. The show string made many west coast shows, particularly California and Oregon and helped to promote Missouri Jerseys. The herd was classified in 1941 with an average score of 87 points. The first 20 cows tested on the old Register of Merit averaged 621 pounds of butterfat.

To know Fred Durnell was to admire him for his ability as a dairymen. Frank Farmer, writing for the Springfield Dairy Leader says it best as follows: “Fred Durnell was a genius, pure and simple. Most men are jealous of those who better them. But Jersey breeders were not jealous of Fred Durnell; they looked upon him in awe.”