Fred W. “F. W. A.” Vesper
When Dick Brooks, of famed Paclamar Farms, purchased Snowboots Wis Milky Way (EX-97) in the early 1960s, his interest in her pedigree, which showed multiple crosses to the “Kansas Triune” bloodline, led him to find Skyway Valla Vista Double. Breeding him to Snowboots produced the legendary Paclamar Bootmaker (EX-94-GM). The bloodline that Brooks wanted so much came from the bull, Fredmar Sir Fobes Triune, bred by F. W. A. Vesper and sold to Kansas where he made his claim to fame. This bull was pictured on the cover of the June 9, 1943 issue of Holstein-Friesian World. His hundreds of sons and grandsons spread the Kansas Triune influence throughout Kansas.
Vesper was born in 1873 in Lawrence, Kansas. His early career began in Topeka, but business interests led him to Kansas City, Minneapolis, and then to St. Louis where he established the Fredmar Dairy Farm near Jefferson Barracks. He also established one of the largest Buick dealerships in the nation.
Exactly when Vesper began to be recognized as an excellent Holstein breeder is uncertain, but the March 21, 1925 issue of Holstein-Friesian World announced that his cow, Rye Hill Korndyke Konigen, set the record for 4-year olds in Missouri of 25,207 lb milk and 726 lb fat which surpassed that of Missouri Chief Josephine set in 1910. This cow was purchased by Vesper after being Grand Champion at the Connecticut State Fair in 1922. The same issue of Holstein-Friesian World focused on Vesper’s announced goal of developing a “Ten Ton Type Herd” with cows producing 20,000 pounds per lactation. By 1931 a Fredmar Farm cow, Pauline Violet Ormsby Piebe, set a new Missouri record by producing 27,653 lb milk and 918 lb fat, a record that stood until 1941. This cow was among 48 females and two bulls donated to the University of Missouri in 1931. A descendent of her became the sire of Robthom Bess Segis, the brood cow extraordinaire for Robert Thomson. Another of these cows was 3rd dam of U-Mo Man-O-War Monarch, foundation sire for Robthom Farm.
During years 1928-30 Fredmar Farms produced four All-American and one Reserve All-American animals. F. W. A., who was president of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce in 1921-22 and director of the National Holstein Association from 1926 to 1935, was instrumental in convincing St. Louis to build a facility to host the National Holstein Show in 1929. Unfortunately the show in St. Louis lasted only until 1935 because of the lack of attendance during the Great Depression.
When type classification was started in 1929, the Fredmar herd was the first in Missouri to be classified. The results: 6 Excellent, 17 Very Good and 17 Good (no Good Plus class at that time).
Much credit for success at Fredmar Farms belongs to manager (1927-1942) Glenn Davis, who was recognized in 1983 as a Pioneer in the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors. Davis held many leadership positions in Missouri Holstein circles and developed his own superior dairy herd.
Vesper served his community in several important positions. He held major offices in the Civic Music League of St. Louis, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Society, the Municipal Theatre Association, the Implement and Equipment Dealer’s Association, and the St. Louis Automobile Manufacturer’s and Dealer’s Association.
- W. A. died in 1946. His wife, Margaret, from whom part of the Fredmar name was derived, died in 1952. They had one daughter, Josephine.