Introduction

Background of Fr. Timmerman
Scope and Content Note: Born May 8, 1909, in Jamestown Township, Grant County, near Sinsinawa. Family very religious in area heavily populated with Catholics. Recalls that Fr. Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli important to history of Sinsinawa area.

Timmerman's Education
Scope and Content Note: Parents strongly encouraged elementary education at St. Joseph's school; high school and college at Loras Academy and College, Dubuque. M.A. degree in 1930.

Interest of Timmerman's Father in Improving Farm and Dairy Herd
Scope and Content Note: As early as 1915, Timmerman's father had begun to improve herd, which eventually would be comprised completely of pure-bred Guernseys.

Occupations of Timmerman's Brothers and Sisters

Neighborhood Cheese Factory on Timmerman Farm
Scope and Content Note: Father important in helping establish Fair Play Cheese Factory, a neighborhood farmers' cooperative.

Reasons Parents Encouraged Education Among Children
Scope and Content Note: One hundred sixty-acre farm too small to divide among eight children. Fr. Timmerman went to Kenrick Seminary at Webster Groves, near St. Louis. Ordained in 1934.

Early Church Appointments
Scope and Content Note: First appointed in 1934 to St. Michael's Orphanage and St. James parish at La Crosse; 1934-1936 served at St. Charles parish, Genoa; then transferred to Sacred Heart parish, Cashton.

Beginning of Acquaintance with Fr. Urban Baer
Scope and Content Note: Became acquainted with Fr. Baer while Timmerman served at Cashton and Baer was at nearby St. Mary's. In 1938, Timmerman and Baer exchanged parishes, partly to enable Baer time to write a book, Farmers of Tomorrow.

What Influenced Timmerman to Become a Priest
Scope and Content Note: Major influences included background of prayer at home and living in religious community; Fr. Louis Brudermanns, pastor at St. Joseph's, Sinsinawa; teachers at Loras (about one-third of Loras graduates attended seminaries); death of very pious father in 1930.

Anecdote on Father's Piety

Bishop Mcgavick of La Crosse Recommends Timmerman to Kenrick Seminary

Timmerman's Parish At Genoa
Scope and Content Note: While there over two years, not much contact with Italian-Americans who were not good farmers and worked on Mississippi River dam. Germans farmed in hills near Genoa, but Timmerman felt, too young and inexperienced to approach them about farming.

Cashton Parish
Scope and Content Note: Mostly German and Irish in area. Germans usually farmed ridges; Irish the valleys. Ninety-nine percent Germans on St. Mary's Ridge. Far less Irish in Cashton area today because of small Irish families and Irish migration.

Rural Conditions at St. Mary's Ridge,
Scope and Content Note: Low prices for farm products, 1938-1940. Many farmers cut wood for school and church to economize on fuel as for parish contribution. Conditions improved after 1942.

Why Catholic Priests get Involved in Rural Affairs During 1930s
Scope and Content Note: Many priests became involved in rural affairs during 1930's because of farm conditions. Fr. Baer worked with Farmers' Union and marketing cooperatives and advocated new agricultural legislation.

Work by Timmerman with Farmers and Farmers' Organizations
Scope and Content Note: Worked with parishioners on farm and in farmers' organizations; recalls especially such influential community leaders as the Feldebrugge brothers.

End of Tape 1, Side 1

Introduction

Parishioners Especially Active in Farmers' Organizations
Scope and Content Note: Recalls those most active in both church and community affairs.

Why Fr. Baer Began to Speak for Farmers
Scope and Content Note: Baer, known as the “farmers' priest,” spoke for farmers who were reluctant to speak for themselves.

Why Fr. Baer Involved with Farmers' Union
Scope and Content Note: Farmers' Union locals well established in Monroe County before Baer's arrival there.

Background of Fr. Baer
Scope and Content Note: Born near Marshfield; first parish near Athens, in Marathon County.

How Frs. Baer and Timmerman Helped Farmers
Scope and Content Note: Worked with county soil conservation and federal government officials to bring about such reforms as contour farming and dams. Recalls outstanding examples of contour farming in St. Mary's area. Timmerman acted as “handshaker” who introduced farmers to state and federal officials and helped ease farmers' suspicions. Farmers reluctant at first to change to strip and contour cropping since it required change in farming methods and long range planning. Recalls names of first farmers to try contour farming.

Influence of Women on Farmers Adopting Contour Farming Methods
Scope and Content Note: Farm wives very influential; much more conscious of aesthetics.

Objectives of National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC)
Scope and Content Note: Attempted to promote reforms spiritually in economic and political organizations. Good relationship between NCRLC and farmers' organizations, especially the Farmers' Union.

Timmerman's Role in Farmers' Organizations
Scope and Content Note: Secretary of Farmers' Union local; delegate to several state Farmers' Union conventions.

Comments on Kenneth Hones, President of Wisconsin Farmers' Union
Scope and Content Note: Strong leader, but ambitious and bombastic. Attitude resulted in conflicts within state organization. Good board of directors prevented Hones from manipulating conventions.

Discussions at Farmers' Union Conventions
Scope and Content Note: Heated, enthusiastic, but controlled discussions at state conventions. Atmosphere motivated members to improve the organization. Farmers spoke up at conventions because of confidence gained in public speaking at local meetings.

Comment on Jim Patton, President of National Farmers' Union
Scope and Content Note: A “gentleman and a scholar” who had “a good hold over the enthusiasm of Ken Hones.” “Jim Patton, in my mind, was the greatest farm leader around in this whole nation.”

Support for Kenneth Hones Among St. Mary's Ridge Farmers
Scope and Content Note: Hones appeared honest and enthusiastic and retained support, although “there wasn't much of a choice.”

Hones Accused of Agreeing with Communists
Scope and Content Note: Accused of sympathizing with communistic ideas and organizations.

End of Tape 1, Side 2

Introduction

Newsweek Magazine Accuses Farmers' Union of Communist Ties
Scope and Content Note: Recalls that Newsweek in 1946 accused Farmers' Union of ties with communists. Timmerman brought article to attention of Hones; Hones responded angrily, but board of directors had thorough investigation and “cleared the slate of the Farmers' Union in the state of Wisconsin.”

Timmerman Attends Last Farmers' Union Local Meeting in
Scope and Content Note: Transferred in 1949 from St. Mary's to Waumandee, in Buffalo County, where Farm Bureau was strong.

Comparison of Farmers' Union and Farm Bureau
Scope and Content Note: Farm Bureau organized through county agents, while Farmers' Union used more of a “grass roots” approach among farmers. Timmerman frequently argued with Farm Bureau members over advantages of Farmers' Union structure.

More Comparisons
Scope and Content Note: Recalls names of prominent Farm Bureau members in Waumandee-Cochrane areas; overall more prosperous than farmers around St. Mary's. Legislative emphasis reflected difference in economic status: Farmers' Union worked for soil conservation programs; Farm Bureau concerned more with price supports. More influential farm leaders at local, county and state levels tended to support Farm Bureau.

Type of Farming in Waumandee Area
Scope and Content Note: More emphasis on fattening livestock instead of dairying.

Acceptance of Timmerman by Farm Bureau Members and Non-Catholics
Scope and Content Note: Accepted as individual concerned with farm production and preservation of farm people.

Involvement of Other Religious Faiths in Farmers' Organizations
Scope and Content Note: Not heavily involved in communities where Timmerman had parishes.

Remembrances of Fr. Urban Baer
Scope and Content Note: Five feet six inches tall, about 175 pounds; always wore overcoat and boots and carried red handkerchief. Enjoyed chewing cigars, playing sheepshead, and teasing parishioners. Modest, fluent speaker, good fund-raiser, read extensively, remembered names well. Chaplain for Women's Army Corps (WACs) for two years. Timmerman, called “L.H.” by Baer, chauffeured Baer on long trips. Recalls Baer first met Msgr. Liguitti while in Green Bay.

Organizing Meeting of NCRLC at La Crosse
Scope and Content Note: Fr. Baer co-chairman with Alba Groves, Viroqua-area farmer; Timmerman secretary-treasurer. Recalls names of church and lay people involved in planning meeting, including Bishop Treacy, Msgr. George Hammes, and Fr. Joseph Steinhauser of Auburndale. Fr. Baer began raising funds and inviting participants a year in advance of the conference.

End of Tape 2, Side 1

Introduction

Comments on Msgr. Liguitti, NCRLC Executive Secretary
Scope and Content Note: Nationally and internationally known for expertise on farm programs. Personal friend of Pope Pius XII. Liguitti's first parish at Granger, Iowa.

Meaning of NCRLC Conventions to Parish Priests
Scope and Content Note: Inspirational. Well organized thanks to Fr. Baer. Msgr. Liguitti famous; ideal person to stand up for rural people and the family-sized farm.

More Comments on Msgr. Liguitti
Scope and Content Note: Large, colorful, respected; in the old Italian way got along well.

Participation by Blacks at NCRLC Convention at Jefferson City, Missouri
Scope and Content Note: Recalls convention held in black neighborhood where black college students presented cultural program. Demonstrative of Msgr. Liguitti's inspiration to blacks, also.

Loss of NCRLC Activity as Corporate Farming Becomes More Pervasive
Scope and Content Note: Regrets NCRLC has not continued its previous level of activity with individual farmers and farmers' organizations. Farming today a “big business proposition” instead of “companionship between God and man.” Corporations take from the soil and return nothing.

Successful Cooperatives Resemble Large Privately-Owned Corporations
Scope and Content Note: Has resulted in alienation of farmers from the cooperative idea.

Fr. Timmerman Supports National Farmers' Organization (NFO)
Scope and Content Note: Feels NFO attempting to revive cooperative spirit with emphasis on marketing cooperatives. Timmerman family from Cuba City (Grant County) area very active in NFO.

Fr. Timmerman's Work with Paper Mill Workers in Nekoosa (Wood County)
Scope and Content Note: Assisted paper mill workers for two years' work for semi-annual family wage, based on need, not what worker produces, which “industry has a social obligation” to provide.

Working with Migrant Workers While Assigned at Marshfield
Scope and Content Note: In early 1960's, volunteered to teach religion to children of migrant workers in Marshfield and Waupaca areas. Became concerned about housing conditions; attended hearings at Madison. Helped convince potato growers that workers in all phases of production should be organized. Priests not always welcomed by younger Mexican-Americans.

Assignment to Sacred Heart Parish, Eau Claire
Scope and Content Note: Accustomed to rural communities, Timmerman uncomfortable in city the size of Eau Claire.

Farmers Poorly Organized in Crawford County
Scope and Content Note: Next assigned to Prairie du Chien, where he observed that farmers' organizations in Crawford County failed to fulfill farmers' needs. At same time, 4-H Clubs first organized around Eastman by Fr. Baer remain strong.

End of Tape 2, Side 2

Introduction

Importance of Rural Youth Organizations to Future of Farming
Scope and Content Note: Youth organizations emphasizing such things as soil conservation and love of farms very important to rural areas. Mentions school at Wyalusing State Park as example of good program.

Fr. Timmerman's Assignment to Sparta in
Scope and Content Note: Not involved with farmers' organizations or trade unions.

More on Relatives of Fr. Timmerman Who Operate Successful Farms in Cuba City Area
Scope and Content Note: Relatives active in NFO and breeders' associations.

Importance of Today's Farmers Organizing and Cooperating

End of Interview Session of June 8, 1976

Introduction

Apostolate for Migrant Workers Established
Scope and Content Note: In 1960-1961, while Timmerman was pastor at Sacred Heart parish in Marshfield, Apostolate for Migrant Workers established. Extended from Stevens Point south to Waushara County in Buena Vista-Almond area. Idea to send young people during summers to instruct migrants on religious subjects and economic conditions.

Meetings with Fr. George Wykes
Scope and Content Note: Met with Fr. Wykes, pastor of St. Joseph's parish in Wautoma for some 40 years, who helped begin program of two-three weekly visits to migrant workers.

How Young People Become Involved in Program
Scope and Content Note: Columbus high school in Marshfield encouraged its students to become involved. Three students from Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse the most important student recruiters.

Program Activities
Scope and Content Note: Often began by discussing with migrants working conditions, then religion; sometimes played music. Particular attention paid to parents of grade-school children.

Problem of Language Barrier
Scope and Content Note: Few instructors spoke Spanish; many migrants spoke English, but teenagers often refused to talk when subject was religion.

Annual Day of Accomplishment
Scope and Content Note: Fr. Wykes held annual Day of Accomplishment, usually about August 15, for confirmation and communion. Migrants, instructors, priests and nuns attended, as did Frs. Mark Schmidt and Mark Shomer. Bishop of Green Bay sometimes spoke in Spanish.

Priests Help Workers Obtain Baptismal Records
Scope and Content Note: Frs. Wykes and Shomer often sent to Texas and Mexico for migrants' baptismal records, without which church would not permit confirmation or communion. If no records, children occasionally baptized with parents' consent.

Timmerman Attends Hearing on Migrant Housing
Scope and Content Note: Housing conditions often “abominable” in old sheds and granaries. Timmerman attended hearing in Madison in 1962 but did not testify. Although investigation did not condemn owners, they began to provide improved housing after federal legislation passed.

Timmerman's Feelings on Migrant Housing
Scope and Content Note: Pitied migrant conditions and efforts to maintain family life. Poverty first shocked him but saw it as correctable. Felt farmers very concerned with conditions, but many farms themselves not very modern. Owners not hostile to migrants except when portrayal of housing conditions exaggerated at hearings.

Church Takes No Position in Housing Situation
Scope and Content Note: Church exerted little influence to improve housing. Recalls that one community built apartments for migrants.

Child Labor
Scope and Content Note: Child labor sometimes had to be overlooked as children accompanied parents to fields or would be left alone. Children loved to work in fields. Difficult issue of family versus humanitarianism.

Attempts to Organize Migrant Workers
Scope and Content Note: In mid-1960's, Manuel and Jesus Salas began efforts to organize potato workers. Bishop Treacy requested Timmerman examine and report on conditions for promoting and discouraging unionization; talked with Salas brothers and Burns brothers, potato growers. Found Burnses did not oppose union, as long as it included all production workers, including drivers and sorters, as well as field workers.

Local Workers Oppose Union
Scope and Content Note: Local workers around Heffron, especially drivers, afraid to jeopardize jobs and had high respect for Burns brothers. Local workers voted against unionization; alienated by Salas' attention to migrant field workers.

End of Tape 4, Side 1

Introduction

Fr. Freking Tells Timmerman of Bishop Treacy's Wish for Investigation of Basis for Union Organizing Activity
Scope and Content Note: Timmerman asked to meet with Salas and Burns brothers; later recommended against unionization limited only to migrant workers. [Frederick W. Freking became bishop of La Crosse in early 1965, several months after the death of John P. Treacy.]

Fr. Wykes' Attitude Toward Migrant Worker Issues
Scope and Content Note: Interest mainly spiritual; not involved in economic or political conditions. Goal to include people in community; encouraged migrants to settle permanently in Wautoma area.

Timmerman's Greatest Accomplishments and Disappointments in Working with Migrants
Scope and Content Note: Greatest achievement was joining with Fr. Wykes for annual Day of Accomplishment. Language barrier and lack of adequate meeting place the main disappointments.

Effect of Migrant Conditions on Volunteer Instructors
Scope and Content Note: Conditions taught instructors to appreciate their education and other advantages; motivated them to help migrants. Learned people won't discuss religion while hungry.

Others Who Work with Migrants
Scope and Content Note: Fr. Joseph Follmar of St. Steven's parish at Stevens Point encouraged young people there to get involved shortly after Fr. Timmerman left Marshfield. Apostolate for Migrant Workers at La Crosse now under direction of Fr. Emmett Faber who spent many years in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Reemphasizes the importance of Fr. Wykes.

End of Interview Session of May 25, 1977 and End of Interview