WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, 85, retired farmer, died
unexpectedly June 23 at his home at 80 Steurrys Road, Marion, New
York. Mr. Johnson was also a past master of the Marion Grange and
was active in steam engines. He was a member of the New York State
Steam Engines Association, Pioneer Gas Engine Association and the
National Threshers Association.
Submitted by Abram E. Johnson, 80 Steurrys Road, Marion,
New York 14505 – son.
IRVIN HOFFMAN, 77, of Manheim, Route 1,
Pennsylvania died April 20, 1975 unexpectedly at his home. He
belonged to Rough and Tumble Engineers Historical Association,
Kinzers, and he maintained and operated the Getz Brothers steam
calliope in local parades for a number of years.
Submitted by Gilbert Irps, 3156 Waldron Road, Kankakee, Illinois
60901.
R.F. DALE of Garden Grove, Iowa 50103 died
April 5, 1975. He enjoyed reading the Iron-Men Album magazines and
saved them for many years.
Submitted by Mrs. Rollie Dale, Garden Grove, Iowa 50103.
BENJAMIN (HARRY) METZGER passed away July 15 at
Riverside Hospital in Columbus at the age of 86. Mr. Metzger was an
old-time thresherman and threshed with steam engines and then gas
tractors. He sold Case machinery for sixteen years. He had owned
three steam threshing rigs and three gas tractor rigs. 1954 was his
last year to thresh as the combines were coming in use and he and
his sons owned one of the first combines with 12 ft. cut, John
Deere. He hulled clover and filled silos with steam engines and
farmed all of his life. He attended the shows with his family and
truly enjoyed visiting and talking about the days of steam. He will
be sadly missed.
Courtesy of Clinton Metzger, 6386 Lane Road, Centerburg, Ohio
43011.
HENRY M. SEBECK passed away on March 12 at the
age of 94. He operated a creamery and farm store at Plum Creek. He
was employed by the State of Minnesota as District Steam Boiler
Inspector from 1911 to May of 1955, serving Scott and Carver
counties. He served 44 years in that position and longer than any
man in the state, serving under 12 governors during that time. He
was later employed as chief engineer for St. Francis Hospital at
Shakopee, until his retirement in 1966.
Submitted by a close friend, Florian C. Karl, Jordan, Minnesota
55352.
WILBUR D. COLLINS, 79, of 215 W. Prairie
Street, Pontiac, Illinois died August 14 at St. James Hospital with
an apparent heart attack. He was a member and past director of the
Central State Threshermen’s Reunion. For many years he was the
operating engineer of the Pontiac Lions Club’s model steam
engine ‘Sparky’ and appeared in many parades driving the
engine. He attended reunions from Pennsylvania to Minnesota.
Submitted by Mrs. Myrtle Collins, 215 W. Prairie, Pontiac,
Illinois 61764
MERRIETT HODGE was a member of the Iron-Men
Album. He was born and raised in East Smithfield, Pa. Bradford
County. His father had a steam engine when he was a child and
Merriett grew up with them. He was crazy about them and always went
to all of the shows he could get to and he enjoyed the magazine
very much. He died March 31, 1975.
Submitted by his sister, Alice Tompkins, 22 Warren Street,
Waverly, New York 14892.
