Route 3, Box 131, Geneseo, Illinois 61254
The Rumely Oil Pull tractor was featured in a special display at
the 17th annual Stephenson County Antique Engine Club show held at
Freeport, Illinois, July 25-27, 1986. ‘The Freeport Show’,
one of the newer shows, certainly has to be ranked among the best
and is constantly growing and adding new features. This was one of
the earliest shows to have the now popular annual ‘featured
tractor’ displays. The Oil Pull display this year attracted a
number of Rumely enthusiasts to northern Illinois who had not
previously attended this show.
The intention of the Oil Pull display was not only the pleasure
of Rumely fans, but also to help the general public to better
understand the products of one of our country’s pioneer
manufacturers of power farming machinery. When planning this event,
diversity was kept in mind rather than an attempt at large numbers
of duplicate tractors. The Oil Pulls were set up in 4 basic
groupings each representative of distinctive time periods in the
history of tractor production. A sign explaining important facts
and significant changes was placed with each grouping of tractors.
A sheet of specifications was posted with each individual
tractor.
The time periods and tractors included in each are as follows:
1910-1918: 14-28, 15-30, 18-35, 30-60 E (large radiator).
1919-1924: 12-20, 16-30, 20-40, 30-60 E (small radiator).
1925-1927: 15-25 (with factory PTO), 20-35, 25-45, 30-60 S.
1928-1931: 20-30, 25-40, 30-50, 40-60.
The ‘final chapter’ of the Rumely tractor story was
represented by the Rumely 6A and Do All tractors in their own area
of the display. Most of the Rumely tractors ran in the daily parade
and some were used around the grounds at various times for
threshing, sawing, etc. A nearby shelter housed a display of Rumely
literature and models and was also a rest and social area for the
public.
These people participated in the Oil Pull exhibit: Al Bronson
(Otsego, MI), George Bronson (Kalamazoo, MI), Eldon Coates
(Zwingle, IA), Clyde Cowan (Geneseo, IL), Wayman Cobine (Elizabeth,
IL), Jerry Erickson (Lyle, MN), Tom Fenton (Mountain Home, ID),
Verlyn Fischer (Pearl City, IL), Verner Hen sel (Ohio, IL), William
Lamm (Freeport, IL), Jack Maple (Rushville, IN), John Laue
(Geneseo, IL), Harry McCosh (Peoria, IL), Norman Meinert (Davis,
IL), J. D. Miller (Geneseo, IL), Ronald Miller (Geneseo, IL),
Russell Miller (Geneseo, IL), Dick Murphy (Leaf River, IL), Ed
Schott (Rockford, IL), Eugene Streicher (Elizabeth, IL).
Cursed by some, loved by others, the tractor that ‘BURNS
KEROSENE AT ALL LOADS’ stands the test of time to retain its
popularity in 1986. Co-chairmen of this event were Ronald Pieper of
Freeport, Il and Ronald Miller of Geneseo, IL.
