Port Huron, Advance, Minneapolis Brands Among Steam Engines in Our Mail

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A Minnepolis threshing machine sitting in a field in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Dave Brown is seeking information on the machine.
A Minnepolis threshing machine sitting in a field in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Dave Brown is seeking information on the machine.
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A 30 HP Advance owned by Dave Kemler on the on the separator. Larry G. Mix shared the photo with us, to keep us abreast of the events at Dave Kemler's Threshing Day, held near Stanton, Mich.
A 30 HP Advance owned by Dave Kemler on the on the separator. Larry G. Mix shared the photo with us, to keep us abreast of the events at Dave Kemler's Threshing Day, held near Stanton, Mich.
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A 21 HP Port Huron owned by Dave Kemler on the separator, threshing oats. Larry G. Mix shared the photo with us, to keep us abreast on the events at Dave Kemler's Threshing Day, held on his farm near Stanton, Mich. 
A 21 HP Port Huron owned by Dave Kemler on the separator, threshing oats. Larry G. Mix shared the photo with us, to keep us abreast on the events at Dave Kemler's Threshing Day, held on his farm near Stanton, Mich. 
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The Minneapolis threshing machine, no. 21232 bears this nameplate. Dave Brown is seeking information on the machine.
The Minneapolis threshing machine, no. 21232 bears this nameplate. Dave Brown is seeking information on the machine.
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The gang that was present for Dave Kemler's Threshing Day, held near Stanton, Mich. Larry G. Mix shared the photo with us, to keep us abreast of the events at Dave Kemler's.
The gang that was present for Dave Kemler's Threshing Day, held near Stanton, Mich. Larry G. Mix shared the photo with us, to keep us abreast of the events at Dave Kemler's.
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The 16 HP Advance straw burner, seen from another vantage point, offers more artistic flourishes, courtesy of the hand of owner Dave Kemler. He chose the water tank and fuel bunker as his canvas.
The 16 HP Advance straw burner, seen from another vantage point, offers more artistic flourishes, courtesy of the hand of owner Dave Kemler. He chose the water tank and fuel bunker as his canvas.
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The 16 HP Advance straw burner Dave Kemler owns features Dave's handiwork on the water tanker and fuel bunkers. Larry G. Mix, who submitted the photo, thinks that Dave is a real artist.
The 16 HP Advance straw burner Dave Kemler owns features Dave's handiwork on the water tanker and fuel bunkers. Larry G. Mix, who submitted the photo, thinks that Dave is a real artist.
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A Messinger 35 thresher, built in Pennsylvania. A reader named Nick shared the photo wifh us. He would like more information on the thresher.
A Messinger 35 thresher, built in Pennsylvania. A reader named Nick shared the photo wifh us. He would like more information on the thresher.
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A Messinger 35 thresher, built in Pennsylvania. The photo was sent to us by a reader named Nick, who hasn't had much luck finding information about the thresher. 
A Messinger 35 thresher, built in Pennsylvania. The photo was sent to us by a reader named Nick, who hasn't had much luck finding information about the thresher. 
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Part of a steam engine at Angels Camp Museum in Angels Camp, Calif., can be seen in this photo sent in by Arthur Clarke. He is looking for information on the engine.
Part of a steam engine at Angels Camp Museum in Angels Camp, Calif., can be seen in this photo sent in by Arthur Clarke. He is looking for information on the engine.
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A Reeves engine owned by the Atzinger family gets its flues cleaned by two women in the clan.
A Reeves engine owned by the Atzinger family gets its flues cleaned by two women in the clan.
12 / 26
Steam engine row at the 2006 Pioneer Engineers 58th Reunion in Rushville, Ind. Brian Vaughn shared this photo of the show event with us. 
Steam engine row at the 2006 Pioneer Engineers 58th Reunion in Rushville, Ind. Brian Vaughn shared this photo of the show event with us. 
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A John Deere crawler manned by Mr. Ploeger takes part in the tractor pull at the Pioneer Engineers 58th Reunion in Rushville, Ind. held Aug. 4-6, 2006. Crawlers were the show's feature. Brian Vaughn sent in this photo from the show event. 
A John Deere crawler manned by Mr. Ploeger takes part in the tractor pull at the Pioneer Engineers 58th Reunion in Rushville, Ind. held Aug. 4-6, 2006. Crawlers were the show's feature. Brian Vaughn sent in this photo from the show event. 
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The separators offered by the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. are listed in this cut from the company's circa 1899 return-flue catalog. Gary Yaeger scanned in the image and sent it our way.
The separators offered by the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. are listed in this cut from the company's circa 1899 return-flue catalog. Gary Yaeger scanned in the image and sent it our way.
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A rear view of a Minneapolis engine, from a scanned page of the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. return-flue catalog. Gary Yaeger scanned pages from the catalog and sent it our way, to support Ray Lightfoot's identification of an image in the last issue (Summer 2007) of Steam Traction.
A rear view of a Minneapolis engine, from a scanned page of the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. return-flue catalog. Gary Yaeger scanned pages from the catalog and sent it our way, to support Ray Lightfoot's identification of an image in the last issue (Summer 2007) of Steam Traction.
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A side view of a straw burner Minneapolis engine, from a scanned page of a circa 1899 Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. return-flue catalog. Gary Yaeger sent the image our way.
A side view of a straw burner Minneapolis engine, from a scanned page of a circa 1899 Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. return-flue catalog. Gary Yaeger sent the image our way.
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A Minneapolis engine that's just like Ray Lightfoot's grandfather's engine, which appeared in Steam Traction in the Spring 2007 issue. Gary Yaeger shared the image with us.
A Minneapolis engine that's just like Ray Lightfoot's grandfather's engine, which appeared in Steam Traction in the Spring 2007 issue. Gary Yaeger shared the image with us.
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Minneapolis specifications for simple and compound engines appear in this catalog cut, shared by Gary Yaeger. 
Minneapolis specifications for simple and compound engines appear in this catalog cut, shared by Gary Yaeger. 
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A Minneapolis engine with a tandem compound engine, another catalog image Gary Yaeger sent us.
A Minneapolis engine with a tandem compound engine, another catalog image Gary Yaeger sent us.
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The Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. logo appears on the cover of a circa 1899 catalog. Gary Yaeger scanned the image.
The Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. logo appears on the cover of a circa 1899 catalog. Gary Yaeger scanned the image.
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A gasoline-powered Froelich tractor in South Dakota appears in this photo, according to its label, but Ron Harris thinks it looks more like a steam engine running the separator. He would like to know if anyone can identify the engine.
A gasoline-powered Froelich tractor in South Dakota appears in this photo, according to its label, but Ron Harris thinks it looks more like a steam engine running the separator. He would like to know if anyone can identify the engine.
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A Minneapolis engine appears in this postcard found on eBay. Gary Yeager sent the image our way.
A Minneapolis engine appears in this postcard found on eBay. Gary Yeager sent the image our way.
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A model steam engine built made using P.M. Research plans, by Melvin Hofer, Freeman, S.D. It includes a boiler, water pump, jack shaft, Emery wheels, generator and light bulb.  
A model steam engine built made using P.M. Research plans, by Melvin Hofer, Freeman, S.D. It includes a boiler, water pump, jack shaft, Emery wheels, generator and light bulb.  
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At the Pawnee Steam School held in Portland, Ind., instructor Harold Stark gives pointers. The school was held March 24-25, 2007. Mark Corson, Crown Point, Ind., shared the photo with us.
At the Pawnee Steam School held in Portland, Ind., instructor Harold Stark gives pointers. The school was held March 24-25, 2007. Mark Corson, Crown Point, Ind., shared the photo with us.
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An Ajax model steam engine from Tony Powers Inc. plans, built by Melvin Hofer.
An Ajax model steam engine from Tony Powers Inc. plans, built by Melvin Hofer.
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Joe
Joe "Mr. Case" Graziana explains the inner workings of an engine govener to students during a steam school class during the Oklahoma Steam and Gas Engine Assn.'s Pawnee Steam School held March 24-25. The 2007 school was held at the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Assn. grounds in Porland, Ind., and Mark Corson, of Crown Point, Ind, shared this photo with us.

MINNEAPOLIS THRESHING MACHINE CO.

Dave Brown, 50 Saddlemead Way N.E., Calgary, ALB Canada T3J 4J5; (403) 273-9081 (e-mail: owlspotter@shaw.ca), is seeking information on a threshing machine. Dave sent along the first two photos in the image gallery, and writes:

I am with the Saddle Ridge Community Assn. located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The photos I’m sharing are of a piece of equipment that sits in a field in our community. My research tells me the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. went out of business in 1929. I was wondering if any of your readers might be able to enlighten us as to what exactly the equipment would have been used for. I am assuming the number on the plate represents a model number.

DAVE KEMLER’S THRESHING DAY

Larry G. Mix, 2075 Coburn Road, Hastings, MI 49058 (e-mail: crazyhorse13@hotmail.com), continues to keep us abreast on Dave Kemler’s Threshing Day held on his farm near Stanton, Mich. Larry shared the next five photos in the image gallery. He writes:

Here are some photos I took at Dave Kemler’s Threshing Day in November 2006.
The first shows Dave Kemler’s 21 HP Port Huron on the separator. We were threshing oats. The next photo is Dave’s 30 HP Advance on the separator, which had plenty of power. The third photo shows the gang that was present for the threshing day.
The next two photos are shots I took of Dave’s 16 HP Advance straw burner. Dave painted it himself and I think he did a fantastic job. Dave is quite the artist, as you can see. I’m lucky if I can print my name so you can read it!
We had seven engines fired up that day and each took its turn on the separator. I sure had fun and I am looking forward to this year’s threshing day.

STEAM ENGINE REGISTRATION

Alex Owen, 288 Allesley Old Road, Coventry, England CVS8GH, has a few questions to ask about steam engines in America. Alex writes:

Is there a register of traction engines preserved in the U.S. and/or Canada? Is there a site on the Internet where I can find out about preserved engines and museums in the U.S. and/or Canada?

Editor’s note: To our knowledge, the majority of the engines that are registered are those of a specific brand name, i.e., Case, Reeves, Advance, etc. There are individuals or organizations that are brand loyal and might have a registration list. Here are a few organizations’ websites to try:

www.caseheritage.org
www.minneapolismolinecollectors.org
www.rumelycollectors.com

To answer your second question: As for an Internet site listing the restored engines in the U.S. and Canada, we are uncertain. We don’t know of a specific site dedicated to this type of function, but it’s a great idea.

THRESHING FOR MESSINGER INFORMATION

Nick, Morris, Pa. (e-mail: secondchancefarm@epix.net or psnqs@epix.net), is looking for information on a thresher built not far from where he lives. Nick’s pair of photos of the thresher can be found in the image gallery. He writes:

Here are a few photos of an old Messinger 35. It was built about 200 miles from where I live in Pennsylvania. I have not been able to find much about the machine. I have gotten some history on the company, but that is about all.

ANGELS CAMP STEAM ENGINE

Arthur Clarke, 43 Meadow Ave., Wakefield, RI 02879, is wondering if anyone can help him in his search. Arthur sent a photo of a steam engine (found in the image gallery), of which he writes the following :

The photo I’ve sent, from May 1990, is a portion of a steam engine located at Angels Camp Museum, Angels Camp, Calif. The drive wheels are over 7 feet in diameter! It had a sled on which logs were loaded to be hauled from forest to mill. I would like to know the age and manufacturer of this machine.

PIONEER ENGINEERS CLUB REUNION

Brian Vaughn, 3260 S. County Road 250 W., North Vernon, IN 47265; (812) 346-7640, reports on the past year’s Pioneer Engineers 58th Reunion. He also sent three photos of the show event, which can be found in the image gallery. Brian writes:

The Pioneer Engineers 58th Reunion, Rushville, Ind., took place on Aug. 4-6, 2006. The Porter family operated the only known complete Robinson threshing rig with Lawrence Porter’s 20 HP traction engine, Robinson water tender and “Moneymaker” threshing machine.

A 15 HP Case, owned by Eric Hurst, made a good first impression at our show. Steve Zehring brought his newly restored 20 HP Rumely plowing engine and Bruce Atkinson brought his 12 HP Russell traction engine, having just transferred all the machinery over to a newer 12 HP Russell portable boiler. Between sawing, threshing, block races, Baker fans and steam engine pulls, we had plenty of steam activity.

We also had a fine turn out of crawler tractors, ranging from a Cletrac HG to a Caterpillar D-7 with many other sizes and brands in between. We had a field full of wheel tractors from IHC, John Deere, Allis-Chalmers, Minneapolis, Oliver and more. Numerous drag saws, buzz saws and chain saws showed how much wood cutting has changed. With three days of fine weather, our reunion went quite well.

On Aug. 3-5, 2007, the club celebrated 50 years at the Rush County Conservation Club. At this, our 59th Reunion, we featured the people who worked hard to bring us this far. Although steam engineers started our club, over the past 59 years many people with a wide range of interests have added more than I can name. And we now have several generations involved in our club such as Porters, Maples, Moormans, Liggetts, Schranks and the list goes on.

However, we have also started work on our new home 3-1/2 miles south of Rushville and 1 mile west of State Route 3. We had maps and tours of the new place at our 59th Reunion. The first full weekend in August 2008, the Pioneer Engineers Club will hold its 60th Reunion at Caldwell Pioneer Acres. Named in honor of Luther Caldwell, one of the club founders, we will have a modern rest room building with showers, over 100 camping spots with 30 amp electric service, a sawmill, a plowing field, and plenty of shade for gas engine, tractors and other displays.

If we can raise the money, we plan to move a 50-foot round barn to become our museum and entertainment building. In the future, we also plan to add a line shaft shop with both wood and metal working machines, a storage building to keep equipment on the grounds, and much more. In 2009, our 61st Reunion will host the J.I. Case Heritage Exposition.

Please pay us a visit in 2008 at the Rush County Conservation Club for the 60th Reunion. For more information about our club and our activities, call (812) 346-7640, or visit our website at www.pioneerengineers.com

MINNEAPOLIS RETURN-FLUE ENGINE

Gary Yaeger, Kalispell, Mont. (e-mail: yaegerg@wfps.k12.mt.us), writes in to support Ray Lightfoot’s identification of an engine in a photo Ray submitted last issue (Steam Traction, Summer 2007, page 5). Gary sent in a number of scans that can be found in the image gallery accompanying this article. He writes:

I scanned a few pages of my old mouse-eaten circa 1899 Minneapolis return-flue catalog – I have forwarded this to Ray. Anyway, this is my proof I didn’t think I had! Senility is such a waste.

The first image is a listing from the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. catalog of the different size separators offered by the company. The second image shows the rear view of a straw burner, and the third shows an engine like the one Ray’s grandfather owned. Following that is a side view of a Minneapolis straw burner. The next image is another engine like Ray’s grandfather’s, except this has a tandem compound engine. The scan after that presents the specifications, and I was horrified to see all of the horsepower options they had available. Next up is a close-up of the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. logo from the mouse-gnawed catalog cover.

I’ve also included a postcard I bought on eBay a couple of years ago, showing the same basic engine. The smokestack in the Steam Traction photo has the coal and wood smokestack, and the postcard has the straw-burning smokestack. It also mentions “Canopy extra.” The wheel hubs of a Minneapolis return-flue are a dead giveaway … every time.

A FROELICH TRACTOR OR STEAM ENGINE?

Ron Harris, 2802 50th St. S., Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494; (715) 421-4113 (e-mail: harris@wctc.net), is doing some fact-checking to republish a book and has a question for our readers. He sent in the photo found in the image gallery, and he writes:

This photo is labeled as John Froelich in South Dakota, supposedly using his newly invented gasoline-powered tractor. I am no expert, but it looks to be a steam engine running the separator. Can anyone help with identifying the engine in use and any other observations?

I am in the process of re-issuing the History of Froelich, Iowa by Marian Beimfohr, and I am doing some fact-checking before the final draft. Perhaps the photo was taken in South Dakota, but not of Froelich’s machine.

Thank you for printing the other engine photos in the Spring 2007 issue, although no one was able to identify the engine with the buzz saw on the front.

MODEL STEAM ENGINE BUILDER

Melvin Hofer, 312 E. 3rd St., Freeman, SD 57029; (605) 925-4732, has built several model engines. He sent a few photos of his collection to share with us, which can be found in the image gallery.

The first photo shows a model steam engine with boiler, water pump, jack shaft, Emery wheels, generator and light bulb. The engine was completed in 1993, using P.M. Research plans.

An Ajax model steam engine from Tony Powers Inc. plans, built in 1998, appears in the second photo.

PAWNEE STEAM SCHOOL

Mark Corson, Crown Point, Ind., sent a few photos from the Oklahoma Steam and Gas Engine Assn.’s Pawnee Steam School held March 24-25. The 2007 school was held at the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Assn. grounds in Portland, Ind. Visit the steam school’s website at www.oklahomathreshers.org.

If you have a comment, question or reminiscence for Past and Present, please send it along to: Steam Traction, 1503 S.W. 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609-1265; e-mail: rbackus@ogdenpubs.com

  • Published on Aug 27, 2009
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