The Rugged Individualists of America

Sometimes I think the old iron community would be more aptly named the Society of Rugged Individualists. Many in this hobby are highly capable in multiple ways, and just as many are rarely intimidated by what others might regard as an obstacle. In fact, the word stubborn often applies (but in a good way!).

To support my argument, I offer up this issue of Farm Collector. In these pages, Josephine Roberts has written about a young Irishman who is carving out a livelihood from using horses in traditional farm practices. I’ll not spoil Josephine’s story, but William O’Sullivan is committed to the old ways, and he’s bending them to work to his advantage in a new world.

Then there’s Tim and Sandy VerHage, featured in an article by Fred Hendricks, who have run their dairy operation for decades using antique tractors. Tim’s not wanting to return to the horse-drawn era, but he has found that using antique tractors – especially when they’re carefully maintained – is a good way to preserve family heritage while getting the job done.

And who among us hasn’t dreamed of completing a collection? We practically trip over the easy finds but invariably that final piece of the puzzle proves elusive. JR Pearson was undeterred in his quest to complete his set of John Deere collectibles. Writer Loretta Sorensen traces the process in an article in this issue and provides historical background to boot.

The beat just keeps going on in this issue. You’ll read about an early blacksmith who had a better idea that made a difference in the logging industry. You’ll learn about a fellow who looked ahead, not back, to build a 4×4 articulated electric tractor from scratch and displayed it this past summer. And then there are the two young men who solved the problem of a rough ride on the scale-model tractor they’d built by, oh, just whipping up a scale-model truck and trailer to haul the problematic piece.

There’s plenty of negativity to go around these days. Some of it, maybe, is deserved. But don’t let anyone suggest that good old-fashioned ingenuity is a thing of the past. It is alive and well in the old iron community!