MinonkTalkNews and History for Minonk, IL

Skip Navigation Links

The Baumann Family Farm

The Beginning | 2nd Generation | 4th Generation | Charts and Graphs | Family Tree

The Third Generation

Click to print pdf version of web page

Newlyweds Alfred and Berneice Baumann
Alfred Baumann and his wife Berneice controlled the Baumann farm from 1937 to 1970.  During his life, he planted soybeans, a new crop that created more revenue. Gradually, the number of livestock decreased for hogs, ducks, geese, and chickens were no longer used because many were produced at large livestock farms.

The widely-used tractor revolutionized farming and production. The tractor pulled the steel plow to plow the land. The tractor also pulled the reaper (now called a combine) to harvest the corn (corn stalks are shown below) and soybeans starting after World War II. Hence, horses were no longer needed. Oats stopped being planted since horses were not used for farming. Clover and alfalfa were still planted to feed the cattle. Chemical fertilizer replaced manure, and hybrid corn and insecticides were used. With the addition of more powerful and versatile tractors, chemical fertilizer, hybrid corn, and insecticides, production skyrocketed as shown in Figures A and .

From 1930 to 1970, the production of corn rose from 25 bushels per acre to 75 bushels an acre and continues to increase to this day. With this increase in production and change in technology, the average size of American farms also increased from 160 acres in 1930 to 400 acres in 1970. However, the Baumann farm remained at 160 acres. As in Figure C, farmers in the labor force continued to decrease at a constant rate. Yet, the Baumann's still remained on their farm.


Alfred "Bill" Baumann brings in the cows for their nightly milking.


Berneice Baumann in a corn field
The Baumann farmstead remained the same until the end of Alfred's generation when many buildings and trees ceased to exist. The picture below shows the entire Baumann farm circa 1950, when there were still many buildings and trees.  The picture below shows the windmill and an automobile.  But there were nevertheless some changes in the beginning of this third generation. The five-acre pasture became a three-acre pasture. There were fewer orchard trees and smaller gardens in response to the presence of grocery stores. Alfred and his family had a car, radio, and a television. Of course, the farm had electricity, for it now had lights.


Alfred "Bill" Baumann pours milk into a milk can

Baumann Family Farm Circa 1950

Click here to continue

Back to previous page