Iron Man Of The Month

By Joe Fahnestock
Published on September 1, 1971
1 / 10
Elmer doffs his hat to the Kitten Engine ''what a beauty!'' he says depending on what he's looking at. Courtesy of Joe Fahnestock, Union City, Indiana 47390.
Elmer doffs his hat to the Kitten Engine ''what a beauty!'' he says depending on what he's looking at. Courtesy of Joe Fahnestock, Union City, Indiana 47390.
2 / 10
Elmer shown with N. T. A. secretary, Lucille Blaker, after his last sermon delivered before the grandstand on Sunday, 1969. Ever since the inception of the National Thresher, Elmer Ritzman was its chaplain, Lucille its secretary. Together they conducted t
Elmer shown with N. T. A. secretary, Lucille Blaker, after his last sermon delivered before the grandstand on Sunday, 1969. Ever since the inception of the National Thresher, Elmer Ritzman was its chaplain, Lucille its secretary. Together they conducted t
3 / 10
Elmer proudly shows me a wooden model of threshing rig which he just bought on grounds of N. T. A. in 1966. Rumor has it that Joe Ernst, Grand Truck engineer, made it for the Korn Krib. Courtesy of Joe Fahnestock, Union City, Indiana 47390.
Elmer proudly shows me a wooden model of threshing rig which he just bought on grounds of N. T. A. in 1966. Rumor has it that Joe Ernst, Grand Truck engineer, made it for the Korn Krib. Courtesy of Joe Fahnestock, Union City, Indiana 47390.
4 / 10
Editor to writer Elmer points out a thing or two in latest issue of IRON-MEN ALBUM to me. Really we should be arguing but we weren't. Courtesy of Joe Fahnestock, Union City, Indiana 47390.
Editor to writer Elmer points out a thing or two in latest issue of IRON-MEN ALBUM to me. Really we should be arguing but we weren't. Courtesy of Joe Fahnestock, Union City, Indiana 47390.
5 / 10
The first time I saw Elmer, he was taking subscriptions for THE FARM ALBUM, at the Blaker Farm National Threshers Reunion, Alvordton, Ohio, back in the forties. Photo by Leo Clark, Washington, Illinois. Courtesy of Joe Fahnestock, Union City, Indiana
The first time I saw Elmer, he was taking subscriptions for THE FARM ALBUM, at the Blaker Farm National Threshers Reunion, Alvordton, Ohio, back in the forties. Photo by Leo Clark, Washington, Illinois. Courtesy of Joe Fahnestock, Union City, Indiana
6 / 10
Elmer grabs a few moments of ''shut-eye'' prior to delivering Sunday morning sermon at 1966 N. T. A. I sneaked past, saw him there, couldn't resist snapping picture. Courtesy of Joe Fahnestock, Union City, Indiana 47390.
Elmer grabs a few moments of ''shut-eye'' prior to delivering Sunday morning sermon at 1966 N. T. A. I sneaked past, saw him there, couldn't resist snapping picture. Courtesy of Joe Fahnestock, Union City, Indiana 47390.
7 / 10
Elmer said the most fitting words, dedicating the big bronze plaque and engine wheel, mounted in front of the Blaker farm home, to commemorate the first organized steam threshermen's reunion in America. I. to r. Elmer Ritzman, Merl Newkirk, LeRoy Blaker,
Elmer said the most fitting words, dedicating the big bronze plaque and engine wheel, mounted in front of the Blaker farm home, to commemorate the first organized steam threshermen's reunion in America. I. to r. Elmer Ritzman, Merl Newkirk, LeRoy Blaker,
8 / 10
Elmer's favorite engine at N.T.A. was the Kitten. Here he gets the ''feel'' of the Kitten throttle to see if it can purrrr. Behind him is Walter Knapp, Monroe, Michigan, owner of the Kitten. Courtesy of Joe Fahnestock, Union City, Indiana 47390.
Elmer's favorite engine at N.T.A. was the Kitten. Here he gets the ''feel'' of the Kitten throttle to see if it can purrrr. Behind him is Walter Knapp, Monroe, Michigan, owner of the Kitten. Courtesy of Joe Fahnestock, Union City, Indiana 47390.
9 / 10
Many friends drop by to chat with Elmer Joe Ernst, Grand Trunk engineer, gives Elmer his old locomotive oil-can to put in his KORN KRIB MUSEUM. Ernst has also made some threshing rigs out of wood for the museum. Courtesy of Joe Fahnestock, Union City, Ind
Many friends drop by to chat with Elmer Joe Ernst, Grand Trunk engineer, gives Elmer his old locomotive oil-can to put in his KORN KRIB MUSEUM. Ernst has also made some threshing rigs out of wood for the museum. Courtesy of Joe Fahnestock, Union City, Ind
10 / 10
Some of Elmer's happiest moments, were relaxing under signs of his children THE IRON-MEN ALBUM and GAS ENGINE MAGAZINE chatting with N. T. A. president, Leroy Blaker. They both were in on the birth of THE FARM ALBUM, forerunner of I. M. A. Courtesy of Joe
Some of Elmer's happiest moments, were relaxing under signs of his children THE IRON-MEN ALBUM and GAS ENGINE MAGAZINE chatting with N. T. A. president, Leroy Blaker. They both were in on the birth of THE FARM ALBUM, forerunner of I. M. A. Courtesy of Joe

UNION CITY, INDIANSA.

Every now and then, but quite rarely, a man struts across the
stage of life, changing all he comes in contact with. And, after
his passing, things aren’t the same again.

Some called him, ‘The Editor’, others, ‘The
Preacher’, or ‘The Reverend still others preferred

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