Reprinted with permission of the Clintonville
Tribune-Gazette, Clintonville, Wisconsin
Joseph N. Kuester, 7 Eighth Street, Clintonville, has been
awarded an honorary life membership in the National Traction Engine
Club of England. He is the first and only honorary life member in
the United States.
Members are awarded honorary memberships in recognition of
outstanding devotion to steam preservation.
The letter of notification states, ‘He becomes one of a
chosen few, not more than a dozen altogether…I am sure there is
no one more devoted…the award is well merited.’
NTEC is a British organization of people interested in the
restoration and preservation of steam-powered tractors. Like their
American counterparts, these enthusiasts hold rallies and
competitions throughout the summer months, and publish a magazine,
‘Steaming’ in which Kuester has been featured.
Kuester has long been active in steam preservation activities in
the Midwest and has been a participant in many Clintonville area
parade.
In addition, Kuester collects cast iron seats and has hundreds
of steam engine and boiler gauges. He owns many steam engines and
is the third generation in his family to operate steam engines.
