The History Of Leveldale Farms Page 3
Sheik of Leveldale was proclaimed outstanding bull of the year, and was a grand champion everywhere.
Leveldale continued in the 1940s winning show after show with Leveldale Foray, son of Leveldale Commondor, and Goldspur's Baronet 2nd as well as Sheiks Jubilee, offspring of Dreadnaught Jubilee and Calara Augusta 3rd,
View one of the 1939 and 40 champions, Leveldale Manifest
View Best 10 Head from the 1941 American Royal
View some winners from the 1942 Ft. Worth show
View a picture of Divide Patience 51st and Leveldale Foray
1947 - 1958
Gene bought into Leveldale, and would eventually become a 50% partner.
In the years after the war, L.E. & Gene continued to show the herd extensively, and coined the phrase, "You invest your money for good shorthorns, you spend it for poor ones", as well as naming Leveldale, "Headquarters for Herd Bulls". It was at this point that a classic problem of all great livestock breeders was encountered, where to go for outcross breeding. L.E. decided to turn to Scotland, and over the coming years Gene & L.E. would make no less that 17 trips to Scotland. When Gene was still in the army in Europe he met L.E. Sr. in Perth. It was then that they first bought Shorthorns from Scotland. Les or Gene went to Perth every year until the mid 60's, and showed at all the major shows until the late 60's. L.E. estimated that 150 bulls and 300 females were brought over to Leveldale. This marked an era when many champions would be sired by imported bloodlines, such as the 1952 International Reserve Grand Champion Leveldale Custodian. Glassingall Research, imported in dam, would sire over $100,000 worth of cattle at Leveldale. Aldie Mainliner, mated to Pittodrie Laura Blossom, would result in the birth of Leveldale Basis, who would go on to be considered the most influential shorthorn bull of his time. View the pedigree of Leveldale Basis
Leveldale Basis was mated with Crocus Cow, and resulted in Leveldale Critic who was Grand Champion at numerous 1955 shows. Sons and daughters of Critic won many shows in the late 50s. In 1951 Leveldale's scorecard for 12 shows was 119 firsts, 51 seconds, 12 grands, and 10 reserves.
View Leveldale's 1950 show record
View Leveldale's 1951 show record
View Leveldale's 1952 show record
View Leveldale's 1953 show record
Their success was no accident. L.E. "Gene" Mathers Jr. had returned home after WWII and purchased half interest in the cattle herd and acquired additional farm land. His knowledge of cattle and his marketing skills complimented the program, making it all that much more difficult for the competition to keep up with the Leveldale team.
Gene judged many shows and had a great eye for cattle. He was the driving force behind promoting and advertising Shorthorn cattle. He was also a director of the Shorthorn Association, and was President in 1960 and 1961.
1965 Gene, his wife Mary, his son Les, and his daughter Laura moved to New Mexico and "retired". He went on to sell and feed livestock in the southwest, start the still active business of Mathers Realty, and teach real estate and appraisal classes at New Mexico State University. During the mid 60's, Leveldale sold approximately half of the cow herd to longtime friends and partners in Leveldale Basis, the John Alexander & Sons Melbourne Farms. From approximately 1969 through the present the livestock operation has run as a commercial operation, culling out all but the best individuals, and emphasizing reproducible traits such as rapid growth, structure, and low maintenance.
Norman Bruce joins Leveldale
Norman Bruce, a teacher at the local high school, moved onto the "west place" in 1969, and a few years later he had given up his teaching career for what would turn out to be a long career with Leveldale. He was instrumental in starting the Limousin herd, and in the 1980s he would begin actively developing chemical free farming at Leveldale. Norm has led strict performance testing at Leveldale for more than 25 years. Norm has an agriculture degree from Illinois State University where he was a member of the ISU Livestock Judging Team, and a masters in agriculture education from the University of Illinois. Norm was not only a teacher, he also served as president of the Easton Unit School District, Easton Park District, and Easton Optimist Club. Norm was also president of the Illinois Limousin Breeders Association, founding member and chairman of the Illinois Beef Expo from 1995 to 1997, and Chairman of the Illinois Purebred Council from 1995 to 1997.
Norm was married to his wife Jane in 1968. Jane is employed at a bank in Mason City, and is and active member of the Easton United Methodist Church along with the rest of her family. Norm's daughter Jodi married Corey Stone, and had 2 lovely grandchildren, Haylie, and Alison. Norm's other daughter Kristi is married to Doug Johnson.
Rob Bruce, Norms son, is actively involved at Leveldale. He will graduate from Lincoln Land Community College in May of 1999 and go on to attend Western Illinois University. Rob is in charge of all show and sale cattle at Leveldale.
Mother's Day at Leveldale
Father's Day at Leveldale
The real pride and joy of Leveldale!
Norm's son-in-law Doug & kids
Norm's son-in-law Corey & kids
Jane, Kristi, and grandkids
Rob with a new litter of puppies
