Bio: Selz Family Farm - John, William and Edward

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Selz

----Source: Greenwood Public Library, original copy owned by Jean Rolstad

Selz Farm, Inc.

Selz Farm, Inc., located on Highway 12, north of Humbird, in southwestern Clark county is a family corporation farm owned and operated by three brothers, John, William, and Edward Selz. This farm earned the reputation of being among the top Registered Holstein breeding establishments in Wisconsin. For nine consecutive years, they have received the Progressive Breeders Registry award, the highest recognition obtainable from the Holstein Friesian Association of America. This high producing herd currently includes several state production leaders and includes six 1,000-pound butterfat cows. It is believed no other Wisconsin herd can currently boast this achievement.

This outstanding purebred herd of today had its beginning in 1923, when Herman Selz, father of the three Selz brothers, started dairying with a few purchased Registered Holsteins. A then high-priced purebred heifer became the ancestor of over 80% of the present herd which now numbers over 200 registered animals. The farm too, has grown from its original 80 acres to 380 acres. All of the original buildings have been replaced and modern dairy barn additions since 1964 have made it possible to handle 100 milk cows and in excess of 120 head of young stock.

In the beginning, the Selz farm was a typical diversifie d central Wisconsin dairy farm, including hogs, poultry, strawberries, potatoes, canning crops, etc. As the Selz children grew up and went to college and various careers, several enterprises were discontinued. By 1959, the three brothers, John, William, and Edward took over, and the farm was reduced to dairying and a completely automated 75,000 bird broiler operation. The broiler enterprise was dropped in 1958 in favor of expanding the remaining Registered Holstein dairy operation.

The Selz Farm continues to specialize in dairying with Registered Holsteins, striving with all efforts toward a happy and rewarding life, enjoying the personal satisfaction of owning and operating a successful business.

Family Notes

1940 Federal Census, Humbird, Mentor Town, Clark, Wisconsin, United States, enumeration district number: 10-28, family 86, line 30

John Selz, white, single male
titles & terms:
event: Census
event year: 1940
event place:
gender: Male
age: 5
marital status: Single
race (original):
race (standardized): White
relationship to head of household (original):
relationship to head of household (standardized): Son
birthplace: Wisconsin
estimated birth year: 1935
residence in 1935:

Household Members
head Herman Selz M 47 Michigan
wife Justine Selz F 47 Wisconsin
son Herman Selz M 21 Wisconsin
son Wm Selz M 18 Wisconsin
son Werner Selz M 17 Wisconsin
daughter Philemene Selz F 15 Wisconsin
daughter Mary Selz F 13 Wisconsin
daughter Jermaine Selz F 11 Wisconsin
daughter Ilene Selz F 9 Wisconsin
daughter Claudia Selz F 8 Wisconsin
daughter Josaphine Selz F 6 Wisconsin
son John Selz M 5 Wisconsin
daughter Margaret Selz F 3 Wisconsin
son Edward Selz M 2 Wisconsin