Farmer Barney (right) in the ring.

Farmer Barney was born Bohuslav Votypka on the lower east side of Manhattan, New York City.  (The name Bohuslav means “Glory to God” or “Beloved One” in Czech.) His family was originally from Prague, Czech Republic, and moved to Hicksville, Long Island when he was young.

Mild mannered Bohuslav worked as a farmer by day and wrestled as “Farmer Barney” at night. He was Hicksville Athletic Club’s heavyweight champion for many years, and wrestled other champions from all over the world.

Farmer Barney  was a real fighter who practiced wrestling and grappling that is more akin to the mixed martial arts of today, although at times it could be even more brutal.