Frank Kleinheinz (Madison, Wisconsin)
“First Shepherd at the University of Wisconsin–Madison”
From: Who Knew? March 12, 2002
The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s first shepherd was hired sometime around 1910. Five have held the title of shepherd, but the first was Frank Kleinheinz, the son of a German farmer, who had a solid understanding of sheep herding and care. Soon after he came to Madison in the early 1900s, he started hanging around the agriculture campus. Impressed with his knowledge, faculty hired him and eventually bestowed Kleinheinz, who had no formal college education, with the title “professor of animal husbandry.”
Kleinheinz went on to write “Sheep Management, Breeds and Judging.” Rule No. 1: “Most of the failures in sheep husbandry may be attributed directly to carelessness on the part of the shepherd. For no breed of sheep will do well under the management of a shiftless man.”
Biographical Information, Incomplete
Born: 13 Sep 1855 / Germany
Died: 17 Oct 1928 / Madison, Wisconsin
Occupation in 1900 Census: Shepherd
Wife: Kunigunda “Cora” Kleinheinz Kleinheinz
Born: 18 Dec 1855 / Germany
Died: 15 Dec 1934 / Madison, Wisconsin
Parents were Conrad Kleinheinz and Margaretha Mueller.
Married Frank (Francis) 24 Nov 1885 in Madison
Among their children is Frank A. Kleinheinz (son)
Born: 11 Mar 1899 / Madison, Wisconsin
Died: 17 Apr 1987 / Madison, Wisconsin
According to the 1920 Census, Frank A. Kleinheinz, age 20,
had no occupation.
From: The Badger (UW–Madison Yearbook), 1914:
Frank Kleinzheinz, Animal Husbandry.
Affiliated with Faculty, 1890
Known Writings
Humphrey, Geo C. (George Colvin), Kleinheinz, Frank. Fitting Yearling Wethers and Lambs for Exhibition. Madison, Wis.: University of Wisconsin, Agricultural Experiment Station, 1913.
Kleinheinz, Frank. How to Handle Sheep for Profit. Chicago: Clay, Robinson & Company, 1913.
Kleinheinz, Frank. Minerals for Breeding Ewes. Thesis (M.S.)—Iowa State College, 1924. 75 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm
[Connection unknown.]
Kleinheinz, Frank. Sheep Management, Breeds and Judging: A Textbook for the Shepherd and Student. Madison, Wis.: The author, (1916–1920).
Kleinheinz, Frank. Sheep Management: A Handbook for the Shepherd and Student. Madison, Wis.: The author, 1911–1912.
Kleinheinz, Frank. Sheep Raising in Wisconsin. Madison, Wis.: Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Wisconsin, 1916.