Mr. Frank P. Schaefer, 77 of Washburn, Iowa, passed away of a
heart attack on Sunday, October 27. Funeral services were at 10:30
A. M. at Immaculate Conception Church, Thursday, October 31 in
Gilbertville, Iowa, with the Rev. Kenneth Ryan officiating. Burial
was in the church cemetery. Mr. Schaefer: was a thresherman for the
better part of his life. In fact we believe he was one of the last
to thresh with a complete steam rig in Black Hawk County, Iowa. He
was a member of ‘Antique Acres’ and a very enthusiastic
showman. His last was a 60 HP Case of 1912 vintage, which was his
pride and joy. Even when, due to his infirmity during this years
show, he was barely able to get around, he still with help, would
climb on the case and take the throttle for while.
He owned two threshers, one 40-62 case, built in 1906. The first
steel case thresher to be sold in Black Hawk County, Iowa. The
other was a Rumely 28-46 Thresher. He also owned a two hole corn
sheller.
Mr. Schaefer was an enthusiastic collector of all kinds of
articles such as clocks, pictures, all of very old vintage. He was
a veteran of World War I, a member of The American Legion, Veteran
of Foreign Wars, and The Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was well
known in north east Iowa and as a showman will be sadly missed by
the people of ‘Antique Acres’. Submitted by: Mrs.
Robert Fischels, 327 Idaho Street, Waterloo, Iowa 50703.
C. A. (Ed) Anderson, New Rock-ford, North Dakota, passed away
December 8, 1968, he was 82. Ed, as we all knew him was a charter
member and organizer of Central North Dakota Steam Threshers. He
was a power in the ‘Threshers’ from the start, had a steam
engine, several threshers and many other items in the show and was
always interested in the show. He was a respected and influential
member of the community and had many friends. He was a former
member of the state legislature and had always been active in many
community projects. A son, Earl, his wife and a daughter survive.
Sent in by O. R. Aslakson, New Rockford, North Dakota.
Ralph Shelburne, 69, passed away October 27, 1968. He was a
life-long resident of Zionsville, Indiana. Mr. Shelburne had his
own machine shop, working on farm machinery. As a hobby he built
miniature threshing machines and entering them in various parades.
He was an active member in Threshing organizations. He is survived
by two daughters, Mrs. Colleen Shepard of Indianapolis, and Miss
Judy Shelburne of Zionsville and three grandchildren. Sent in by
Miss Judy Shelburne.
John J. Bash, 72, of Greenfield, Indiana passed away recently.
He had owned and operated the Bash Machine Shop in Greenfield for
25 years. He was a member of Pioneer Thresher Club and Live
Steamers Club. He is survived by two sisters and three brothers.
Sent in by Forest O. Sharrett, Fortville, Indiana.
Amos Harned departed from this earth on October 22, 1968, he was
65 years old. He operated the Harned saw mill here on Long Island
since 1930. It is a land mark on Long Island and is also the last
operating sawmill on Long Island. It will now be run by Amos’s
brother Edward Harned. Amos had a large engine collection and was a
subscriber to the Iron-Men Album and Gem Magazine for many years.
He will be missed b\ many friends. Sent in by Mr. Andrew Burr.
Mr. George Lutz, a resident of Springfield, Nebraska, passed
away at his home December 14, 1968, at the age of 75 years. He was
born at Madison, Nebraska, June 25, 1893, when 2 years of age he
came to a farm northwest of Springfield with his parents. With the
exception of a few years spent in Colorado he farmed, threshed and
shelled corn in his active farming days. Mrs. Lutz preceded him in
death. He is survived by two children, Mrs. Paul (Shirley)
Schuessler and a son John Lutz of Richfield. He was a good friend
and neighbor by all who knew him. Sent in by Frank Pflug,
Papillion, Nebraska.
Mr. Elmer M. Ransburg, 83, of Quincy, Michigan passed a way
December 25, 1968, at the Community Health Center, Coldwater,
Michigan. Sent in by Mrs. LeRoy W. Blaker, Alvordton, Ohio
Mr. Charles L. Cramer, 85, passed away on October 3, 1968, He
was born in Fayette County, Penna. but moved to Somerset Co. on a
farm near New Centerville, Penna. He was the founder of the New
Centerville Threshermen’s and Farmer’s Jubilee, Also
founder of the New Centerville Rural Volunteer Fire Co. and very
much interested in many other civic affairs in the district. He is
survived by his widow and 5 children. Sent in by Lloyd S. Croyle,
R.D. 2, Hollsopple, Penna. 15935.
George W. T. Christian passed away December 17, 1968. He was
born near Bunker Hill, Illinois, April 22, 1882. He was baptized
May 14, 1882 and confirmed April 19, 1896 at the Zion Evangelical
Lutheran church at Banker Hill. As a young man he farmed with his
father and worked in nearby coal mines. In 1907 his family moved to
Milbank, South Dakota, where they engaged in farming at the time
Steam Power was commonly used for plowing as well as belt work. On
June 12, 1912 he married Bertha Amelia Schwandt of Carona, South
Dakota. To this union were born seven children all of whom survive
and held mutual respect for their father. In the fall of 1922, he
moved to Frederic, Wisconsin and later settled in the Tradlake area
where he farmed and later worked for the Burnett County Highway
Dept. His wife passed away April 15, 1927 and since that time made
his home with two daughters, Rose (Mrs. Axel R. Johnson) of
Minneapolis and Ellen, (Mrs. LeRoy Fisk) who resides on a farm near
Frederic, He maintained an active interest in Steam Engines and
could readily recall all he had worked with since his boyhood in
Illinois. He attended many steam show in Ont Northwest and one at
Austin Manitoba Canada. He attended ‘The Old Threshers’
Meet at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa fourteen times where he met old friend
and made many new ones with whom he maintained steady
correspondence. George was a constant reader of the Album and
always alert for new subscribers. He will indeed be missed by many.
He was buried at Carona beside his wife on December 21, 1968. Peace
be to his memory. Submitted by his ‘Old Buddy’ Gil
Johnson.
