JOHN L. JAMES, 83, of Lancaster, Ohio passed away February 1,
1984 at University Hospital, Columbus a week following surgery for
heart failure.
He was born July 21, 1900 on the farm of his father, Wesley
James near Somerset, Ohio. As a young man he worked on his
father’s farm. His father was a sales representative for J. I.
Case Co. and later for the Advance-Rumely Co. John also worked
several seasons for a local thresherman who operated a Case
threshing outfit. John became an automobile mechanic and following
his marriage moved to Lancaster, Ohio.
His love for steam engines was realized when, in 1967 he
acquired his ‘pride and joy’ a 50 HP Case steam engine No.
33646, which he completely restored and exhibited at many steam
shows in the central Ohio area. He was a charter member of Hocking
Valley Steam and Antique Power Club, Lancaster, and more recently
Mad River Valley Club at Urbana.
He read and enjoyed every issue of Iron Men
Album. John was very knowledgeable about steam engines in
general, and could quote statistics of Case engines and the Case
Company. He was a skillful and safety-conscious engineer. He was
quick to correct ignorant or careless operators. When anyone had an
unusual problem the question eventually was taken to John for his
solution.
He will be sorely missed by his many friends from the shows
where he exhibited. A picture of John’s engine was in IMA
Jan-Feb 1970.
Submitted by his life-long friend and neighbor Homer E.
Ridenour, 900 E. Fifth Avenue, Lancaster, Ohio.
NORMAN JANSON, 78 of Bay City, Michigan, passed away January 11,
1984. He was a retiree from the J. I. Case Company and was a
service representative for farm equipment.
His hobby was building scale model Case steam engines. He
completed six models, built perfectly to scale. The last model was
1/3-scale of 1915 65 HP Case.
Norman and I showed the steam models all over Michigan every
summer at the steam and gas shows. This was our vacation!
Norman was a member of Memorial Presbyterian Church, the
Mid-Michigan Antique Machinery Association, the Northwest Michigan
Engine and Threshers Club and the Saginaw Valley Live Steam
Association.
He will be sadly missed by family and friends.
Submitted by wife, Aggie Janson.
ARNOLD H. BUHR, 68, of rural Aurora, Iowa and formerly of
Sumner, passed away November 30. During WW II he served with the
U.S. Army in the Pacific theater of operations.
Arnold was born and raised in the environment of steam engines,
as his father was a long-time thresherman. Because of this, he
inherited the love for the old engines. Although he never owned an
engine himself, he annually attended steam shows in Minnesota,
Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa.
Though he will be sorely missed, Arnold will be remembered and
loved forever in the hearts and minds of those who knew him.
Submitted by Randy E. Schwerin.
