HERBERT L. (HUBB) SPENCER of Fairview, Tennessee, a charter
member and one of the first Directors of the Tenn.-Ky.
Threshermen’s Ass’n died suddenly of a heart attack on June
30, 1972. He was truly an Iron-Man. He had operated steam engines
and threshers since a child. One of his first jobs was running a
16-60 Nichols & Shepard engine pulling a rock crusher for the
city of Nashville, Tennessee. He had owned several makes of engines
including a 25 HP Advance compound, but his favorite was the
Russell. He compiled a book on the Russell Company with pictures
and descriptions of all the machinery Russell made from the
beginning. He had a 12 HP Russell which was his pride and joy that
he always ran at the Threshermen’s Annual Show. He had many
parts and when someone else would have trouble, Mr. Hubb was right
there to help in any way he could. He was a gentleman and will be
greatly missed by family and friends.
Sent in by Billy Byrd, 369 S. Harrig Street, Madisonville,
Kentucky 42431.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS of Kansas City, Missouri passed away May 27,
1972 at the age of 78. He grew up in eastern Kansas during the
steam engine era and was always a steam engine fan and attended
many of the threshing bees in this vicinity. He owned a filling
station and motel and in 1948 set up a miniature train and railroad
in his yard, operating it evenings and week-ends for the pleasure
of neighborhood children. He also built a diesel model of the Santa
Fe Super Chief. Sometimes he used this to pull the train, but most
people preferred the steam engine. Advanced age and illness made it
necessary to stop operation of the railroad.
Sent in by Haston St. Clair, R. R. 1, Box 140A, Holden, Missouri
64040.
RICHARD GROSZ, R. D. 2, Highway 75 South, Moorhead, Minnesota
56560 died recently.
Sent in by Mrs. Grosz.
CARL C. McCORMACK, 119 North Buhl Farm Dr., Hickory Twp, New
Castle, Pennsylvania died in July at the Clepper Convalescent Home,
Sharon. He was 87. He was a member of the New York Steam Engine
Association.
Sent in by Raymond McCormack, son.
OTIS K. REYNOLDS passed away July 20, 1972. He was a steam
enthusiast and enjoyed your book very much.
Sent in by Wayne Reynolds, 9967 Camp Road, Mt. Vernon, Ohio
43050.
LESLIE DIEDRICH, 67, of 43 N. Park Avenue, Lombard, Illinois
died after a short illness at Central DuPage County Hospital,
Wednesday, August 30, 1972. A native of the DeKalb Community, he
attended schools in this area and was an outstanding athlete at
DeKalb Township High School where he graduated in 1925. He farmer
‘ for several years, was a carpenter ana on-tractor and had
been active in real estate and insurance in the Lombard area. He
devoted a great amount of time to the Central DuPage County
Hospital. His other interests were with the Northern Illinois Steam
Power Club and he served as director of the Will County Threshermen
for several years.
Sent in by Charles Raymond, 582 W. Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, Illinois
60115.
WM. CHRISTENSEN was killed in an auto accident June 11,
1972.
Sent in by Mrs. I. G. Haugen (daughter), 1430 Madison,
Burlington, Iowa.
JOHN S. KAUFFMAN, 74, of Mount Joy, Route 2, died August 7 at
General Hospital following an illness of six weeks.
Born in Milton Grove, he was a son of the late John S. and
Frances Shenk Kauffman. His wife, Mary M. Dupler Kauffman, died on
May 20, 1972.
Kauffman was self-employed, the operator of a sawmill and a
thrashing rig. After retirement, he took up painting and striping
of antique furniture, steam engines and fire engines, and was
well-known for his artistry.
He was a member of the Milton Grove United Methodist Church.
Kauffman held memberships in the Rough and Tumble Engineers
Historical Assn., the Eastern Shore Thrashermen and Collectors
Assn. and the Early American Steam Engine and Old Equipment
Society.
(The Iron-Men Album has him to thank for designing the cover of
the magazine for Rev. Ritzman when it first began. The owner and
editor, B. Earlene Ritzman, and staff, wishes to extend sincere
sympathy to family).
JOHN W. SHIPLETT, age 72, died August 23, 1972 in Reid Hospital
here in Richmond, Indiana after a long illness. He was a 16 year
member of the Pioneer Engineers Club of Indiana. John was one of
the nicest fellows you could ever meet and also one of the finest
machinists I ever knew. He loved steam engines and finished the one
on the picture in 1970. He called it the ‘Cocker’. This is
about a 3′ scale model and is a beautiful job. John attended
many of the local steam engine shows and is sadly missed by family
and friends.
Submitted by Donald E. Kelley, 4091 S. W. ‘N’ St.,
Richmond, Indiana 47374.
