CHARLIE BORTE, Silverton, Oregon died January 14, 1975. Charlie
was an ardent supporter and participated in Pacific Northwest
Threshing Bees since their inception in the mid-fifties. His free
lance Model ‘T’ truck was a well known and truly remarkable
creation seen at all the shows in recent years. He had been a
member of the Western Steam Fiends for about 20 years. When the
Cowlitz Prairie Threshing Bee at Toledo, Washington was on the
verge of floundering for want of a sponsor, Charlie, by sheer force
of personality, plus a few gallons of his own sweat infused new
life and enthusiasm in the area residents. Now, the Toledo Show is
alive and well, one of the big shows of the Northwest.
Although Model ‘T’ restoration was his pet hobby,
Charlie was fascinated by the other old iron, be it one lungers or
old farm tractors, especially the steam. His demise leaves an
irreparable breach in the ranks of Northwest hobbyists ones like
Charlie come along about once in every 100 years.
Goodbye Friend, we envy you in your new ‘Home up
there’.
Submitted by Rodney M. Pitts, Route 2, Box 52, Silverton, Oregon
97381.
CLARENCE JOHNSON, 71, of Wyoming, Illinois died January 8, 1975
in Florida, where he was vacationing. Mr. Johnson was a member of
the Old Threshers Association of Iowa, and a friend of many. He
kept his steam engine, Advance, at Mt. Pleasant for many years
until sold last year after the show.
Submitted by his close friend, Lloyd Lehman, 2201 Bloomington
Road, East Peoria, Illinois 61611.
PHILIP R. PETERSON, 74, of Ragan, Nebraska departed this life
December 31, 1974. He had worked around steam engines and threshers
since early boyhood. Steam engines always intrigued him and in 1960
he made a replica of the 65 Case steam engine. He also liked the
gas engines. He was a gentleman who had an abundance of talents and
love for his fellowman. He will be greatly missed by his family and
many friends. He always attended the Antique Engine and Threshers
Assn. show held at Bird City, Kansas and the Strat-man Steam Show
at Wilcox, Nebraska.
Submitted by Mrs. A. D. Gustafson [daughter]., 5450 Lk.
Jessamine Drive, Orlando, Florida 32809.
FRED HUNTINGTON, born 1898 and died January 18, 1975, from R.R.
3, Bloomington, Indiana. He was at various times in his bountiful
life a custom thresherman, county surveyor, school teacher and a
farmer. Until recently he owned a 19-60 Keck Gonnerman engine which
was always an attraction at the fairs and parades in the area. Fred
was an avid conservationist and treated the land with great
respect. He was a fine example for us all on how to care for and
heal the land. Few men have walked the road of life so quietly, yet
left such deep footprints. He is deeply missed by all.
Submitted by Michael Lucas, R.R. 5, Bloomington, Indiana
47401.
GUS REASONER, 89, of Shirley, Indiana died August 18, 1974. He
ran a threshing machine for 45 years starting in 1901 with a 12 HP
C. Aultman Star Engine, No. 4196, then in 1905 bought a 15 HP Case
Engine No. 7293 and Case Separator No. 37272. In 1910 he bought a
new 20 HP Advance engine and Advance Shredder which he used until
1922 when he bought a new Advance Rumely 20-40 Oil Pull tractor and
new Advance Rumely Separator 30-50 which he still owned at the time
of his death.
Courtesy of Keith W. Mauzy, R.R. 1, Middletown, Indiana
47356.
DENNIE H. MAGNUSON, Center City, Minnesota, well known
throughout the area as collector of historic memorabilia and owner
and operator, with his wife, of the ‘Yester farm of Memories
Museum’ died March 27, 1975, at St. Croix Valley Memorial
Hospital at the age of 65. Magnuson had been bedridden for several
years.
An auctioneer for 33 years, Magnuson was also well known for his
ability as an entertainer; he sand, recited, and played an
accordion, and acted as Master of Ceremonies at many area
gatherings. Magnuson had purchased the old Furuby School House,
north of Center City, where he encouraged entertainment and
community gatherings which he frequently emceed. This is where
Branch No. 1 of the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association
had their meetings.
His lifelong interest was to collect and preserve historic
articles. This museum is well known both here and in Sweden, having
been written about in more than 30 newspapers and magazines and was
a basis of a recent Swedish National Television Network. His
Russell steam engine prompted the beginning of the Annual Almelund
Threshing Party some 21 years ago and sponsored by the Almelund
Volunteer Fire Dept.
Submitted by Gilmar Johnson, Frederic, Wisconsin 54837.
CORRECTION!
The second, third and last paragraph of the write-up on page 26
of the January-February 1975 Iron-Men Album should be with the
photo on page 6 of the March-April 1975. The write-up on page 6 of
the March-April 1975 I.M.A. should be with the lower photo on page
26 of the Jan.-Feb. 1975 I.M.A. (The pictures and captions were
sent by B. Bryant Young, R.R. 1, Box 704, Dover, Delaware 19901).
Our sincere apologies to you Sir!
