Jimmy Dean released the song “BIG JOHN” in the fall of 1961 near the time I first met “Big John Perkins”. If there were ever a song written about a man whose title fit to a tee it was “Big John."


Big John receives a showmanship trophy.

 

 In Junior College I had the opportunity to be a trainer for a National Champion Basketball team and also did some work with the football team and knew several players that went on to play major college and pro ball. I have yet to meet a stronger human being than Big John Perkins. Everybody looks tall to me but John was tall and not an ounce of fat on him. A very shy man who loved to smile and would blush at the drop of a hat, John could and did the work of three mortals. Born in Southern Indiana “Big John” was not only a great worker he was also great with the cows. 

In later years at Heaven Hill John would be at the controls of his favorite Browny’s Masterman Jester (Maggie) and guided him to 3 of his 5 National Championships.


Browny's Masterman Jester winning the Jug

 Heaven Hill cattle were all dreams to lead and that would be much to the credit of “Big John.”  Usually just their name being announced by John would bring even the toughest of Jersey bulls to submission. A crack of the horn file or a direct hit to the noggin by John’s fist would make a yearling heifer forget any worries she had except for the head ache she just incurred. 

Stories of Big John’s strength are still the talk of the barns whenever the old timers get together. Ask Chuck Luchsinger about the gentleman that poked the bull once too often at the New York State Fair. Lloyd would say that when John “Hit him” his eyes rolled and he lay on the cement and bellowed like a calf. Or ask Ron Mosser about Big John lifting the doors off the hinges during the fire at Columbus, one handed while holding “Maggie” the bull with the other hand. According to Mosser they had been trying to open the door all week and couldn’t get it to budge. John ripped it off with one pull. 

To me John was my buddy and was always so patient and so understanding with all the questions I would raise. I have said before there were people I wished I had met. Big John was one that I am so glad I had the opportunity to be around and call him a friend. Nowadays they have an award called the Duncan McKenzie award. If they had it when John was in his hay day it would have and should have been his.


Lloyd and John winning the herdsman award at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

At “Big John’s” side was Lloyd Fanjoy . Lloyd grew up in an orphanage in New Brunswick that kept a herd of Jerseys. Lloyd went to Campbell McKay's Kinghurst herd at Rothsay, NB., where he was spotted by Heaven Hill at the Royal Winter Fair and would be a valuable addition to the great Heaven Hill show herds for near twenty years   Mrs. Uhlein was particularly fond of Lloyd and bought sweaters for him like a son. Lloyd loved the rose garden there and the opportunity to park the big cars at Heaven Hill parties.

Life was tough for Lloyd with a multitude of medical problems but his love for his job and his cows was un-wavering.



Lloyd holding Sprice Avenue Margs Cyntthia with Governor Rockafeller, Stanley Chittenden and Max Gordon

I quote Heather Kinkaid from here on, “Although Lloyd had every reason to be angry with all that life had dealt him, he always saw his cup as half full, not half empty. He was exceedingly grateful for even the smallest kindness extended to him. His innate instincts for all kinds of animals and his expertise at fitting and caring for prize animals were unique to one Lloyd.”

 It would be hard to find a person more dedicated to his job and his cows than Lloyd. Lloyd’s strong suits were his hand milking ability and many of the big records made at Heaven Hill were done with Lloyd doing the milking.


Lloyd showing the Jr. Champion bull at Columbus. 

Lloyd was also the master of polishing horns and would spend hours with a file and emery cloth working the horns of the Heaven Hill champions.    The word sympathy was not in Lloyd’s vocabulary and he would have none of it. (I want to thank Heather for her help with this piece on Lloyd)   A trophy in Lloyd’s name is given for showmanship at the Royal Winter fair and it is most coveted. Lloyd would pass away in 1983 at the age of 45 years.

 

Albert Talbot was also a valued member of the crew and his ability to make a bedding pack with an edge as straight as a ruler and not a straw out of place was second to none. Albert always had a fork or broom in his hand and when not milking, feeding, watering or brushing, he would be sweeping or straightening the bedding pack. 

Three men, 35 head, plus or minus, in a show string that would accumulate show records that to this date have not been duplicated. “Maggie” 5 times National Champion bull. Champions at Waterloo (Wallflower, Jim Babe, Cosmo Leaf, Banjo, ) Columbus Champions including “Faith,”  “Bairn,” “Do,t” and Etta’s Master Babe. Royal Champions “Pinn,” “Faith,” “Bairn,” “Wallflower,” “Surprise,” and of course Chicago winners as well as a bevy of winners at New York, Eastern States and more.

 

Winning Dairy Herd: From Left: Banjo, Faith, Wallflower and Jim Babe.  Three of the four were grand at Waterloo.

A record number, to this date, of Jersey Jug winning banners and over 40 Premier Breeder & Exhibitor Banners at Major shows to their credit.    What a group of cattle with four of the greatest cow people to ever wear pants.

I would like to thank Kim Billman the editor of the Jersey Journal for all of her help doing this article.  The Jersey breed is blessed to have her as the editor of one of the greatest breed publications going.  Thanks Kim!