The History Of Leveldale Farms
The Mathers name has been associated with Shorthorns for over 75 years, and in 1975, the Bruce Family joined Leveldale, and our involvement with the Limousin breed began. We bring all of our history and experience with Shorthorns to the Limousin arena, and we now have two fine herds at Leveldale. We hope you enjoy our history, and we hope that if you are ever in the area you will be able to stop by and visit us in person. 1852
John H. Mathers and his wife Elizabeth journeyed from Ohio to Illinois, and settled on a parcel of land 6 miles west of Mason City, adjoining the village of Teheran, to found a farm which would eventually be known as Leveldale. John was a bit of a blacksmith, and he was successful with both smithing and farming. He eventually acquired 2000 acres of rich Illinois land, as well as producing 6 fine children.
Upon John's passing, his eldest son Eugene inherited the original homestead of 320 acres. Eugene also farmed, but he preferred to feed his produce to the animals he was breeding and developing. He had an uncanny eye for purchasing animals at conservative prices, and turning them into profitable good looking stock.
1889
Manley B Mathers was born, followed by his brother Leslie Eugene (L.E.) in 1890. The two brothers grew up together, played together, worked together, and together it was said, could overcome almost any foe.
1913
Manley B and L.E. graduated from the U of I. Manley B entered the Chicago Veterinary College, gained his degree in just 2 years, and from that point on would be known as Doc. L.E. took a job working for Hay Brown at Haylands Farm near Sharpsburg IL. It was during his first year with Hay that L.E. discovered that the life of a cattleman could be quite harsh. During an extended draught, the water supply at Haylands was exhausted and water had to be hauled from 5 miles away, quite a distance at the time. L.E. of course rose to the challenge, and the herd was saved. During one buying trip, Hay returned with 22 purebred Shorthorns among a couple of hundred other cattle. This was L.E.'s first experience with purebred cattle, and he quickly noticed that the 22 head did much better on the same amount of feed than the other stock. It was then and there that L.E.'s commitment to purebreds and Shorthorns began and he and Hay directed much of their attention to the purebreds. Read the Leveldale Farms entry from the book Red White And Roan by Alvin Sanders: page 1 - page 2 - page 3
1917
Hay took over management of a large farm near Auburn, IL and asked L.E. to enter into a partnership. L.E. agreed, and by 1919 they had a flourishing herd of Shorthorns. The herd consisted of choice females from the best bloodlines that were mated to the first really spectacular animal L.E. had experience with, Cudham Dreadnaught. Cudham Dreadnaught was a great white bull purchased from Scotland for the amazing sum of $19,500, a fortune in 1919. At the same time, L.E. and Manley B. began forming a herd at the farm near Mason City that their Grandfather John had founded so many years before. Once the Auburn farm was organized, L.E. also went on to manage another farm with Hay.
1921
Doc took the first young animals to the Illinois State Fair and Dreadnaught's Bride, sired by Cudham Dreadnaught, won second as a junior heifer calf. Dreadnaught's Bride would be the foundress of the great Bridal Day strain. His other stock was also well within the money when the judging was completed.
1922
Hay and L.E. dissolve the second farm, and L.E. and Manley B. acquired 6 choice heifers sired by, or bred to Cudham Dreadnaught, for their operation. L.E. continued on as manager of Haylands Farm. L.E.'s purchases at the dissolution of the second farm enlarged the Mathers herd to an even dozen, and L.E. and Doc began to enter the ring continuously. In their first 10 shows, L.E. and Manley B. did well, and at the Indiana State Fair, Dreadnaught's Bride became the Mathers brothers first grand champion. Following the tour, Doc returned home with a substantial purse of prize money won by the high quality herd L.E. and he had established. Nearly every animal taken on the circuit placed in the top at one or more shows, including Dreadnaught Earl, sired by Cudham Dreadnaught. Another animal destined to be one of the greats of Leveldale came into L.E.'s possession in a peculiar manner this year. A rancher from Kentucky sent a heifer, Bon-Bon, to Haylands for breeding to Cudham Dreadnaught. When Bon-Bon dropped a beautiful white calf, the rancher could not be reached for weeks. Finally he sent word that he was getting out of the cattle business and wanted to sell Bon-Bon and her calf. L.E. snapped up the bargain for the paltry sum of $125. Thus, the calf, then known as Belle O` Leveldale came home.
It was a lean year for the brothers, most of the animals showing poorly on the circuit, until a newcomer, calved in April, headed 23 junior bull calves at the Illinois State Fair. That bull was Dreadnaught Clansman , who went on to become one of the greatest show and breeding bulls of all time.
1925
L.E. decided to move to he and Manley Bs operation near Mason City and dissolve the partnership with Hay. It was the dissolution of their partnership that spawned a very unique auction, one attended only by L.E. and Hay. The auction was held in quite peaceful surroundings, both men seated in comfortable chairs. At the mention of an animals name, the bidding began until one or the other reached their limit. L.E. acquired many of the best animals, but Hay did not let them go cheaply. It was also in 1925 that Dreadnaught's Bride , failing to breed, was sold in the ring, and ended her career as a top quality show animal. This was also the first year of Belle O` Leveldales show career, and it would be a career few could compete with. In her first year, Belle defeated every summer yearling heifer she met.
