The Antique Engine and Tractor Association held its annual show
September 15, 16, 1979, at the Ivan Wildermuth Farm, near Geneseo,
Illinois. Many area residents and engine enthusiasts turned out to
take in the numerous exhibits at the show and to enjoy the
beautiful late summer weather that weekend.
Steam engines are always popular with the public and there were
John Laue brought his 22 HP Wood Brothers, and his 19 HP
Keck-Gonnerman steam engines. These engines are in fine condition
and have also been displayed at the Stephenson County Antique
Engine Club Show at Free-port, Illinois. Milo Mathews, of Cameron,
Illinois, showed his dandy little 10 HP Advance, which was the
oldest engine displayed. Milo hauls this engine on a triple axle
trailer behind his pickup, which is something most steam engine
owners cannot do.
A good variety of gas tractors were also on hand, ranging from
the unusual, such as a 40-65 Reeves, 15-25 Fairbanks-Morse, 14-28
Oil Pull, and 12-24 Russell, to the later and more common models of
such well-known companies as John Deere, Case, International, etc.
Some of the larger tractors took their turn at threshing or running
the Baker Fan, while others kept busy moving around the grounds
doing various hauling chores or giving rides to interested
spectators.
The high point of the day for many youngsters was the ride on a
tractor ‘just like the one grandpa had!’
A large gas engine display was set up in a grove at the edge of
the show grounds. The products of a good variety of engine
manufacturers were represented in ‘Gas Engine Row.’ Many
exhibitors had their favorite engines belted to early day machines
as they were when in use on farms in the days before rural
electrification.
Threshing of stacked oat bundles was featured throughout both
days with the separator powered by both steam engines and gas
tractors. Bill Sievert of Princeton, Illinois, was in charge of the
threshing and kept things running smoothly.
Food was available on the grounds from facilities operated by
the club. Joe McCosh was chief cook and bottle washer of this
operation when he wasn’t engineering his Fairbanks-Morse
tractor.
The 1980 show will be held on September 13 and 14, again at the
Wildermuth Farm, four miles east of Geneseo, Illinois, on Highway
6. In addition to the show this year, there will also be a
Consignment Sale of engines, tractors, parts, and many other
related items. The sale is set for Saturday, September 13,
1980.’
