CHARLES WILLHIDE, age 83, of Greenfield, Indiana passed away May
21, 1990.
Charlie was a retired farmer and an advanced collector and
restorer of antiques. He was an excellent machinist, mechanic,
gunsmith, and electrician, always ready to help anyone including
the younger collectors just starting in. His antique collections
included engines, autos, guns, radios, clocks, coins, toys,
railroad items, and about anything else you could name.
He attended all the local engine shows as long as his health
permitted. He was a charter member of the Pioneer Engineers Club,
Mid-America Threshing Club, Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Club,
and National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association. He was also a member
of the Greenfield Friends Church, National Rifle Association, and
Masonic Lodge.
He will be greatly missed by his friends, at shows, auctions,
and swap meets. He always wanted Bidder No. 13 at the auctions. He
said it brought him luck.
Submitted by Al New, 5427 W. 900 South, Pendleton, Indiana
46064.
THOMAS LASATER of Yuma, Colorado died March 31, 1990, at Yuma.
He was very active in both the Tri-State State Antique Engine and
Threshers Show at Bird City, Kansas, and the Old Threshers Show at
Yuma, Colorado. Tom was born July 5, 1911, in Hardy, Nebraska.
When he was three years old the family moved to the Yuma area.
As a young man he worked, for fifteen years as a mechanic for the
Farmers Implement Company in Yuma. Later he became a carpenter and
for many years built homes in the Northern Colorado area.
After his retirement from construction work, he restored many
small gas engines and had quite a collection of engines and
tractors. His pet being a little International 0-12 tractor.
Tom and his wife, Leola, were married 57 years and had one son,
John, who blessed them with grandchildren. They also have several
great-grandchildren. Tom will be greatly missed by all his friends
at both shows, as he was always ready and able to help with any
mechanical problem.
Submitted by his friends from Tri-State State Antique Engine
and Threshers, Bird City, Kansas: Mrs. and Mrs. DeLoss Thompson,
P.O. Box 138, 404 Demick Am., Bird City, Kansas 67731.
WALTER GASCH, Route One, Colby, Wisconsin, passed away November
9, 1989 at his home, at the age of 84.
Walter was a member of the Northcentral Steam & Gas Engine
Club, in Edgar, Wisconsin. He owned and operated a 1913 Advance
steam engine and threshed with it many years in the Abbotsford,
Colby, and Green Grove, Wisconsin area.
In the 1960’s he operated a steam engine for the Budenski
Brothers annual show in West Concord, Minnesota. He also operated a
steam engine for Bill and Leon Schnieder at their shows for several
years in Hewitt, Wisconsin. After the North central Steam and Gas
Engine Club was organized in 1973, Walter was an active member. He
threshed with his steam engine at their annual shows for the past
16 years.
Walter worked for various lumber companies in northern Wisconsin
in the 1920’s for seven winters. He worked for construction
companies in Minnesota in the 1930’s, and helped build the
Whitman Dam on the Mississippi River in 1934. He always had some
wonderful, interesting, and sometimes funny stories to tell his
kids and grandchildren about his experiences.
After returning to Colby, Wisconsin, in 1940 he was employed as
a road patrol grader operator for the township of Hull until he
retired in 1982.
Walter’s favorite magazine was the Iron Men Album for many
years.
Surviving are his wife, Mary, one son and four daughters, nine
grandchildren, one brother, and three sisters.
Walter was always willing to help someone and is sadly missed by
his family and many friends.
My father taught my brother, David, (who is also a co-owner of
the engine) and myself how to run and take care of the engine in
Walter’s last years. We will continue to run and display it
every year at the Edgar Show in memory of him.
Submitted by Mary Gasch and Marjory Ackerman, Rt. 1, Box
1275, Colby, Wisconsin 54421.
Farmer and active community member, ANGEREAU GRAY McCONNELL died
April 27, 1990. He was a longtime reader of Iron Men Album which he
read from cover to cover.
He was a steam enthusiast, having built his own steam boat which
traveled up and down Herrington Lake near Danville. He took his
boat to Chaplin River annually for the Civil War re-enactment of
the Perryville Battle and fired his handmade brass cannon for the
pleasure of the crowd.
He was one of the founders of the Bluegrass Steam and Gas Engine
Club, former chairman of the board, and honorary board member. Also
he was a member of the American Blacksmith Association of North
America, and the Sternwheeler Association.
He is survived by his wife, Martha Helm McConnell, two
daughters, two sisters, and four grandchildren.
Submitted by Mr. and Mrs. A.G. McConnell, 4671 Perryville
Road, Danville, Kentucky 40422.
