The History of Beyer Family Farm

The History of Beyer Family Farm: A Legacy of Quality Beef Since 1874

Beyer Family Farm, located just north of Appleton, Wisconsin, stands as a living tribute to five generations of resilience, tradition, and care for the land. Established in 1874 by German immigrants Frederich and Wilhelmina Beyer, this family farm has weathered centuries of change while holding fast to the values of faith, hard work, and stewardship.

1874: A Goose Tender’s Dream

Frederich Beyer was born on December 15, 1839, in Pommern, Germany. As a young man, he worked as a humble goose tender, but he harbored greater dreams—he longed for land of his own. At age 34, Frederich and his wife, Wilhelmina (Schwautz) Beyer, set out for America with hope in their hearts and hardship ahead. In 1874, they purchased 40 acres of heavily wooded land in the Town of Center from Michael and Mary Ann Rogers for $400.

With oxen and hand tools, Frederich cleared the land, built a log cabin, and established a working homestead. That modest 40-acre beginning—cleared with sweat and prayer—became the foundation of the Beyer legacy.

By 1876, Frederich had acquired a second 40-acre parcel, building a new house and barn on what would become the Beyer Homestead on Rock Road, Section 13. There, he and Wilhelmina raised six sons: August, Albert, Friedrick Jr., Gustav, Ernst, and Wilhelm.

The Builders: Albert and Bertha Beyer

In 1909, at the age of 70, Frederich sold the farm to his son Albert and daughter-in-law Bertha (Stapel) Beyer. Albert had grown up on the homestead and, like his father, took pride in hard work. He modernized the farm, introduced the family’s first tractor, and raised three children: Emma, Leona, and Clarence. Albert worked the land for over three decades before passing it on to his son Clarence in 1942.

Clarence and Claire Beyer: Faith, Family, and Forward Thinking

Clarence Beyer married Claire Voight in 1939, and together they raised six children while continuing to grow the farm. Clarence expanded operations and kept the farm in step with evolving agricultural practices. He was among the first in the area to install DeLaval milking systems and pipeline milking.

The homestead under Clarence became a place not only of production but of deep family roots and Christian values. He served on the local school board, the Outagamie County Farm Bureau, and the Town Board of Center. His children fondly recall summers riding on tractors, attending St. John Lutheran Church, and learning discipline through farm chores.

Mark and Maria Beyer: From Dairy to Beef

In 1985, Clarence and Claire’s youngest son, Mark Beyer, and his wife Maria took over operations. Mark had helped on the farm his entire life and eventually became the fourth-generation owner. Together, Mark and Maria raised four children—Matthew, Melissa, Andrew, and Benjamin (Ben)—on the same land that Frederich cleared more than 100 years prior.

After decades of dairy farming, Mark and Maria transitioned the farm into a cow-calf beef operation, shifting focus to sustainable meat production. Despite setbacks like a devastating barn fire in 2000, they persevered—rebuilding, expanding, and purchasing back neighboring land that had once been in the family. Through faith, grit, and love for the land, they carried the Beyer legacy forward.

Benjamin and Haley Beyer: Building the Future

Today, the farm’s future lies with the fifth generation—Ben Beyer and his wife, Haley. Though Ben pursued education, military service, and a professional career beyond farming, the land called him back. He and Haley are now growing the family’s beef business under the name Beyer Family Farm, offering locally raised, premium-quality beef direct to consumers.

Ben’s vision is clear: honor the past, grow sustainably, and preserve the farm’s legacy for future generations. The family has created the Beyer Family Trust to protect the farm and ensure it remains within the family line, with hopes that the sixth generation—Ben and Matt’s sons—will someday take the reins.

A Wisconsin Legacy

From a goose tender’s dream to a modern beef operation, Beyer Family Farm represents more than land and livestock—it is a story of immigration, sacrifice, perseverance, and family. Each generation has faced unique challenges, yet the commitment to caring for the land and feeding the community has never wavered.

Whether you’re a longtime customer or discovering Beyer Family Farm for the first time, you are not just buying beef—you’re becoming part of a legacy that began in 1874 and lives on today.