JOSEPH EDWARD BOWMAN, 88, died December 6, 1984 at his home on
Route 5, south of Warrens-burg, Missouri. He was a retired
blacksmith and a Veteran of World War I.
Joe’s first love was steam. He was happy when he was working
on engines and he really enjoyed steam engine shows. When he was
not threshing, he repaired wagons and machines the farmers needed
at that time. Later, he built and repaired wagons and buggies for
those who still wanted old-fashioned transportation.
Submitted by Haston L. St. Clair, R.R.#1, Box 140-A, Holden,
Missouri 64040.
IRA D. HARDING passed away on August 5, 1985 in Maumee, Ohio. He
was born on September 12, 1889 and was the oldest man living in
Swanton, Ohio.
Ira was also the only living employee of the A. D. Baker
Company, builder of Baker steam engines.
Submitted by Ora W. Drennan, Rt. 1, Box 35, Metamora, Ohio
43540
VIRGIL JANSEN, Sigel, Illinois passed away on March 5, 1985 at
the age of 63 years. He was a member of the American Thresherman
Association for many years.
Virgil had health problems for a number of years, but always
attended the Pinckneyville and Pontiac, Illinois shows with his
brothers Ed and John.
He was partial to Reeves engines and always could be found
around Reeves engines at the shows.
Submitted by George F. Bahre, Executive Secretary, American
Thresherman Association, Inc.
A life-long resident of rural Waunakee, Wisconsin, OTTO KOLTES,
passed away on December 20, 1984 at the age of 83.
Otto was a machinist, mechanic and steam engine enthusiast. For
many years Otto used his steam engines for doing agricultural jobs
such as corn shredding, silo filling, threshing and steaming
tobacco beds for area farmers in Dane and Columbia counties. He
owned and operated ten different steam engines over the years for
these tasks. He enjoyed steam shows and wrote material on steam
engines, especially IMA.
The joy and excitement shown in his eyes as he spoke of his love
and experiences with steam engines, will never be forgotten. He is
deeply missed by his family.
Submitted by his daughter-in-law, Beverly Koltes, Rt. 1,
DeForest, Wisconsin 53532.
