My Dad, what an inspiration!

I know this isn't fishing related so if it needs to be moved, I understand.

My dad is 93 years young and been a farmer his whole life, even after retiring he set about an undertaking that many much younger would not take on. To stay busy in retirement it was his goal to restore (not always a full restore, depending on what was needed) one antique tractor at a time as long as he was able. He retired and sold the family farm in 1995 and has since that time done about 18 tractors......now along the way he has needed the families help, so we all have helped him in any way he needed.

Today he called me up and asked if I could tell him how to adjust his oxy/acetylene guages to cut some bolts off a old disk he decided to bring back from the grave.

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So after a errand I had to do, I checked in on him and he was already at it cutting the bolts loose so he can put new ones in those places.

I asked dad to stand next to a couple of his tractors for a quick picture, so he stood next to the first one......our family pride and joy, the 1926 Huber that my grandfather owned.

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Some years ago a author heard of dad's accomplishments and wrote a book, with a couple of dad's rarer tractors in it taking up a couple chapters, the local TSC heard about it and asked if dad would bring those featured tractors down for a book signing which he did and I was thrilled to share in his joy!

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The following video I put on YouTube showing most of his collection, I'm not the best narrator, but he was happy I did it......thought maybe some of you may like to see it as well, I'm sure many of you have farming in your family tree and can relate to it.

Like I said, he is an inspiration to us and I hope I can carry the torch when he is gone.....which if I'm a betting man will not be any time soon!

https://youtu.be/bhQHlgtfdEo

That's awsome Steve. Enjoy every day with your dad.

My dad did the same thing except with telephones. He worked for the phone company for 37 years before retiring. My dad passed away in 1997 and I have his collection of telephones dating back to 1916. And they all work. Some of my best memories watching my Dad revive these old phones.

Any chance you could give us the name of that book?

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Originally Posted by tlefire

Any chance you could give us the name of that book?

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I just happen to have a copy!

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Speaking of telephones in dads basement is the phone that we had in the house up to about mid 60’s
A old crank style, I can remember cranking it and the operator would come on the phone to put your call through.





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Nice tractors. Thank you and your dad for sharing the video.

Awesome post and pics. Enjoyed reading it. Congrats on a cool farm family heritage

Good post Steve ..... Your Dad is awsum

Great post, thanks for sharing.

Wow, lots of cool tractors.

Thats fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

I saw some John Deere s that I saw as a kid and they were old then.


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Once a farmer, forever a farmer! You spend your whole life farming and fixing on your equiment (I'm sure your dad spent many of hours fixing and making equiment work just a little better) I know I have. I hope your dad can keep restoring that old iron for years to come, they look GREAT!!!

Thanks for sharing. He looks absolutely happy and content in every one of those pictures. A state of mind to be admired.

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Folks, like your dad, are who built America.

It may not be crappie fishin, but this is what we’re all about. Family and history and where we came from. I cast a vote for this going on the home page soon. Good video Steve, glad to see that you and Dad share all of this.

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

It may not be crappie fishin, but this is what we’re all about. Family and history and where we came from. I cast a vote for this going on the home page soon. Good video Steve, glad to see that you and Dad share all of this.

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Oh yeh....I voted on that yesterday Tim...its gonna happen. Be looking for it.... will be published on 12-14-2018 11:22 PM
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Thank you everyone [emoji106]


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Steve, don't know if you have ever seen it but I watch a show on RFD tv called Classic Tractor Fever. You ought to get in touch with them. They might do a story on your dad. They feature a lot of folks like him and their restored tractors.

Steve, you are a lucky man to have him around all those years.

What a legacy of pride, craftsmanship and dedication your dad has set up for your family to cherish and remember for all of the days of your lives. I would personally love to shake his hand and listen to as many of his stories as he would like to tell about his farming heritage and his prideful stance on keeping this heritage alive and well for all to see. I agree entirely that this is the type of man who helped build and kept America great.
Awesome collection of tractors and even more awesome showing of dedication. Thanks for this post Steve and for sharing your dad with us.

Great topic and post. I salute your father. America doesn't eat without our farmers.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Clair Ash and he, like his tractors, is a classic.

Terrific! I am feel the love.


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I just went over to see Dad, he lives across the 40 from me so he’s close and I see him almost every day.
I read all your comments to him......y’all made his day, he said Thank you very much!


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This is outstanding!!! Great post Steve.

Tell your Dad he does great work and this is a great post.
Thanks for sharing.

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