Massey Discussion Forums > Massey Talk > 1997-150th to 2022-175th Massey Harris Anniversary Memories and the Collectors we have met.
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RE:1997-150th to 2022-175th Massey Harris Anniversary Memories and the Collectors we have met.

Another man who has contributed alot to the Massey folks in the past 25 years is (3 Point Bob) Bob Doucett. Bob has helped many people who can't find that one piece their looking for. Three point tractors always seem to be missing something or have a broken or bent piece. I believe there isn't a piece he doesn't have for them. He also makes battery boxes, plow hitches and hand cranks for the GPs. Bob is one of the most easy-going guys you will ever meet.
Can't believe for all the pictures I take I really don't have any good pictures of Bob.
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RE:1997-150th to 2022-175th Massey Harris Anniversary Memories and the Collectors we have met.

Two people who played a huge part in making Massey memories in the past 25 years, Jack & LaVon Holton. For many years Jack and LaVon would set up hundereds of toys and tractor parts to sell at most of the shows. Jack was very good at keeping people honest when bidding on the benefit auctions. Sometimes he got stuck with the high bid but he sure helped pull that extra dollar out of your pocket. Jack & LaVon are two of the nicest people you will ever meet. 
Joe
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RE:1997-150th to 2022-175th Massey Harris Anniversary Memories and the Collectors we have met.

When it comes to a true Massey man the name Wes Armstrong comes to mind. The love for everything Massey has rubbed off on Wes's whole family. You will have to travel a long way to find someone as kind hearted and willing to jump in and help as Wes always did. Wes had his share of health issues but always bounced back and jumped back on a tractor and got back to work. If not helping out with next show Wes was back on the road going to pick up his latest new purchace 5 states away. Wes will be missed but never forgotten.
Joe
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RE:1997-150th to 2022-175th Massey Harris Anniversary Memories and the Collectors we have met.

When it comes to influential Massey people in the last 25 years two people come to mind, Steve & Sandy Miller. These two really know how to make this hobby fun all year long. When you get Steve, Sandy, Jo and I together who knows what we will think up next. There have been many creative mind meetings at the halfway point in New Prague, MN at our favorite meeting place, the Pizza Ranch. We have came up with everything from hoop dress dancing to a ten year run with snowmobile shows. These two even got us to broaden our horizions to several different countrys more than once. There is never a dull moment when it comes to Steve & Sandy. How many people do you know that would feed their Pony a carrot or make you a carrot cake with a Massey tractor on it for your birthday? Here's hoping for many more years with these two as there are many more ideas we have to follow through on.
Joe
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RE:1997-150th to 2022-175th Massey Harris Anniversary Memories and the Collectors we have met.

One man that has played a big part directly or in-directly in the Massey collecting is Gary Biewer of Barnsville, MN. Every time I hear the name Gary Biewer, I think of "Sawyer Massey" as that was the tractor he was working on when I first met him.  I really don't have a good picture of him but I got a picture of his Sawyer Massey he was in a hurry to get running for the Massey Extravaganza at Rollag, MN back in 1999.
I've been going through alot of pictures to find some for these past 25 year memories and came across a huge suprise. Back in Feburary 1998 when I first met Gary he was still out on his home farm, not the yard he is at now. I didn't have alot of money but managed to buy a Wallis OK from him and a Wallis 20-30. At the time I got them he also had a MH styled 25 on steel and a MH styled 25 on rubber. This is the first time I've really been close to a MH styled 25 and really didn't know what I was looking at because I knew nothing about them. I really wanted them but was low on funds at the time. I called him a month later and he had sold them both. As you know I like to take alot of pictures and at the time I snapped a couple of them both. I always wondered where they went to as I don't recall ever seeing them since.
While digging through my boxes of pictures I came across the pictures of the two Wallis tractors I bought from Gary and the other pictures I snapped at the time. I still don't know where the MH styled 25 on steel went to, but I now know where the MH styled 25 on rubber is. Soon as I looked at this picture I said this tractor looks very familiar as it is sitting in my shed!
What a small world, the tractor I wanted i got 20 years later and didn't even know it. This is without a doubt the same tractor, still has the same can on the exhaust! It is not in as good of shape as it was back then.  The pulley has rotted off and the tires are less than good but the pigtail fuel line is still on it yet. I bought this tractor in 2018 from the Wayne Svoboda auction. Don't know if he bought it from Gary or just how he aquired it . This tractor is a High Altitude Styled 25 serial number 74618 HA. 
I really think some of you should dig through your pictures and post some on here.  There is alot that can be learned from our past 25 years. It is really fun looking at just how much some of us have really changed over time. The last two pictures are of the MH styled 25 on steel with extentions back in 1998. Anyone recognize this tractor or know where it ever ended up? Is this tractor in your collection?
Joe
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RE:1997-150th to 2022-175th Massey Harris Anniversary Memories and the Collectors we have met.

A man who played a huge part in my love for Wallis tractors is Dick Carroll from Alta Vista, Kansas/LaBelle,Florida. Dick was a first class man all the way. When he restored a tractor he cut no corners and if you remember seeing his tractors at the shows you know what i'm talking about. I was fortunate to have the chance to purchase the Wallis Cub and Wallis Cub jr from him back in 2003. I also got a Wallis Bear rear fender from him. This is from one of the only 9 Wallis Bears ever built. I figured this was the closest I would ever come to owning a Wallis Bear. Although he is no longer with us his legacy will live on.
Joe
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RE:1997-150th to 2022-175th Massey Harris Anniversary Memories and the Collectors we have met.

I'm not sure this completely fits the subject line since it dates prior to the 150th in 1997, but felt like sharing it tonight.

My first participation in a "Massey Expo" was in 1993, at Georgetown, OH.  This was before the Massey Collectors Association had been formed, and at that time show locations were determined by Keith Oltrogge, author of the Wild Harvest, which was back then our banner publication.
 
I took my Grandpa's Massey-Harris 44 GR (“Old Sam”), which I had recently restored, and which was the only Massey I had at that time.  It was the first time that I had been to a Massey feature show or been around a large group of Massey collectors.  As fate would have it, I wound up sitting next to Don Snyder at the Saturday evening banquet.  I don't even remember who else was at our table, but have always remembered that being the first time I met Don, and the long, great friendship that was started that evening.  Don was a wealth of knowledge, willing to share information, yet humble at the same time.  A good man, a great friend, and played a significant role in steering me towards the focus on Massey tractors in my collection.
 
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find any good photos of being together with Don.  Hopefully some of you reading this have some good photos of Don, and will add them to this discussion stream.
 
As you all know, Don coined our slogan:
 
“Old Masseys collect the nicest people.”
 
Indeed they do.
 
Cheers,
 
JB
 
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RE:1997-150th to 2022-175th Massey Harris Anniversary Memories and the Collectors we have met.

I would say it is very safe to say I would not be digging through all these photos if it weren't for one man, Keith Oltrogge. Back in the early 90s I was at my dads and he had a Wild Harvest magazine laying on the table. I believe he picked it up at the Dyersville, IA toy show. I've been around Massey stuff my whole life but never really gave it much thought about pursuing collecting them. After paging through it I thought it was pretty cool so I subscribed to it. I read alot of names in there but it really made it come to life when I started going to shows and put a face with some of the names I've been reading about for so long. Keith has some of the coolest Massey things on this earth. I hope someday he wins the lottery so he can finally build a building big enouth to display all his collection. I would bet most people in the MCA would agree with me that Keith was the Ground Zero of this Massey Pandemic that has spread throughout the US and into several other countrys.
Joe
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RE:1997-150th to 2022-175th Massey Harris Anniversary Memories and the Collectors we have met.

Ok, I've been putting this post off for a long time now as there are so many memories to talk about with these two and I don't know where to start. The two I am referring to are John Farnworth & Malcolm Robinson. I can't believe, for these two for being on the opposite side of the UK they fit togther like twins. They are both on the same page of thinking with each other and will even finish a sentence for one another. When it comes to really knowing Massey history there are very few that can out smart them. I'd swear in a former life they were working for Daniel Massey or possibly a worker at the factory or something. It is really enjoyable watching John school someone when they are wrong. Malcolm however will just grin and think well if that's what you believe that's fine but I know different.
These two are a blast to spend time with as they have so many talents not many even know about. John is a great cook, I don't think there is anything he can't cook. He is a great tour guide and a great host. He can smell a coffe or pie shop a mile away.  Eats good healthy food and is not a fan of McDonalds, but once in a great while when there are no pubs you may catch him heading into McDonalds but this is rare.
I don't think there is anything Malcolm can't do. He lives and breaths anything Massey. If there is something he can't answer he will not sleep until he comes up with one for you. He is truely one of the kindest people I've ever met. One of the best Massey historians ever, as he has an impeccable photographic memory. Malcolm is truely very encouraging and helpful person. He has great teacher like qualites.
When around John and Malcolm there is never a dull moment. Always a good time!  It is such a treat to have such amazing memories of times spent with these two great guys!!
Joe
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RE:1997-150th to 2022-175th Massey Harris Anniversary Memories and the Collectors we have met.

Bravo Joe! I could not have said it better! John and Malcolm demonstrate all that is the very best of this great hobby and passion. I value each and every minute spent with both of them, and I feel so honoured when they pay a visit to Karen and myself here in Hagersville.