JANUARY 2019
Meet TOM
GREENWAY
FAITH
/
FAMILY
/
FRIENDS
/
Photo by Eye of a Storm Photography
FARMING
OUR PHILOSOPHY There was a farmer who grew excellent quality corn. Every year, he won the award for the best grown corn. One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors. “How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?” the reporter asked. “Why sir,” said the farmer, “Didn’t you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.” So is with our lives... Those who want to live meaningfully and well must help enrich the lives of others, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others find happiness, for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all. -Author Unknown
Call it power of collectivity. Call it a principle of success. Call it a law of life. The fact is, none of us truly wins, until we all win! One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:24-25
HAPPY NEW YEAR! JANUARY 2019 I can honestly say that Mindy and I are looking forward to what 2019 has in store for us more than any other year I can remember. We have been blessed with many opportunities and friendships based on people and families we've met through these Farming Families publications along with other circles. We wish you all the best in 2019 and hope you too have similar excitement for what this year will bring. This month's issue is a special issue to me, because I had a lot of fun researching these stories. Several years ago, I heard a story from the Huron area that sounded more like an Urban Legend (more appropriately, it should be called a Rural Legend, but that is a different issue) or myth than an actual story with any historical truth. What I heard is that dozens of early John Deere tractors were dumped in the James River, and they've been sitting underwater for almost 100 years. As with most Urban Legends, there often is a hint of truth with some fabrication and hyperbole mixed in. Sometimes the toughest thing to do in researching stories like this is to cut through what is fact and fiction and figure out how everything fits together. This specific story of the John Deere Dain Tractor and the connection to South Dakota most definitely fits that bill.
2 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
In the process of researching the Dain article, I met several gentlemen who were a wealth of knowledge to me along the way: Andy Gross and Joe Small of Huron, George Sandhoff of Parkston, Tom Greenway of Mt. Vernon, and Kevin Albrecht of Marion. All of these guys are avid vintage tractor experts in their own right, and they too have great stories to be told. So, we have combined all of their stories into one issue. We hope you enjoy this approach, and if you have anything to add or have any suggestions, don't hesitate to contact Mindy or me anytime. Thank you for your support!
Garrett Gross Principal AGE Media (515) 231-9367 Garrett@agemedia.pub
JOIN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE!
Mindy Gross Publisher/Content Coordinator AGE Media (605) 690-4071 Mindy@agemedia.pub
Facebook.com/groups/farmingfamilies
January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 3
ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURE & PROMOTING PROFITABLE AGRICULTURE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS.
PUBLISHER/ CONTENT COORDINATOR Mindy Gross, AGE Media
PARKSTON GRAIN & FEED 204 N DEPOT, PARKSTON 605-928-3354 KAYLOR GRAIN 180 S MAIN ST, KAYLOR 605-583-4228
PRINCIPAL Garrett Gross, AGE Media ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
(515) 231-9367 garrett@agemedia.pub We have been in the auction business for over 60 years and sold thousands of acres of land, millions of dollars of equipment and much more. There is no job too big or too small, so give us a call and we would be happy to work with you.
CORRESPONDENCE | STORY SUBMISSIONS (605) 690-4071 mindy@agemedia.pub The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties is distributed free exclusively to the farmers, ranchers, and producers in rural Davison and Hanson Counties, South Dakota. ©2018 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties Magazine. All rights reserved. Content in this magazine should not be copied in any way without written permission from the publisher. The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Content in articles, editorial material and advertisements are not necessarily endorsed by The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties.
COVER: Left to right: Tom Greenway and his dog, Buddy
CONTRIBUTORS GARRETT GROSS Principal garrett@agemedia.pub
MINDY GROSS Publisher/ Content Coordinator mindy@agemedia.pub
Check out our upcoming auctions at:
www.WiemanAuction.com 44628 SD Highway 44 | Marion, SD 57043
1-800-251-3111 4 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
CHRISTIAN BEGEMAN
AMANDA RADKE
Photographer
Lead Writer
VINCENT GENE
PETER YOUNG
Photographer
Photographer
TYLER MCENTEE
CALLI WILLIAMS
Videographer
Contributing Writer
LINDA MCENTEE Photographer
January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 5
FEATURED NEIGHBOR
TOM GREENWAY By Amanda Radke Photos by Eye of a Storm Photography, unless noted otherwise
Mount Vernon farmer Tom Greenway loves old tractors.
hog confinement cleaning & disinfection
“I hated seeing old tractors go to the salvage yard to be used for steel overseas,” says Tom. “I started acquiring old machinery at farm sales to try and save some of the history.” Over the years, the 86-year old has amassed an impressive collection of tractors, plows and other pieces of farm equipment. He’s spent countless hours restoring this machinery until they shine like new once again. Currently, Tom has fully restored eight John Deere tractors including a 1952 All Fuel ‘A’, 1951 ‘G’, 1951 ‘MT’ with a two-bottom plow, 1952 ‘MC’ with blade, 1950 ‘M’ with sickle mower, 1946 ‘H’, 1941 ‘LA’, and a 1955 ‘40’ with a two-row cultivator. He has also restored one International Farmall Cub. “Next on my list is a 1947 ‘B’ John Deere,” he says, of the many additional old tractors on the farm he has ready to be fixed up. “I also have a four-
6 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
LOCAL, DEPENDABLE & EFFICIENT hog confinement maintenance
(605) 251-6374 hutchcohogwash.com facebook.com/hutchcohogwash January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 7
Above photos provided by Doug Greenway
bottom rollover plow that is pretty rare that I would like to restore.” In restoring equipment, Tom has learned the trade along the way. He’s done most of the work himself, except for one motor overhaul on the MC John Deere and the final paint jobs on each tractor. “It’s been fun watching Dad restore these old tractors and equipment over the years and his attention to detail”, says son Brad. “I’ve learned a lot from him about this machinery and this era of history. It’s pretty neat that he has become a good resource for information about two-cylinder tractors for other people, too.” Tom says his dad bought his first John Deere in 1937. He says, “Those models were so simple and easy to work with. If they didn’t run, cleaning out the gas line or changing a spark plug usually did the trick. I don’t know everything about tractors, but the two cylinders are pretty simple. I really 8 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 9
Sponsored by the Freeman Academy Auxiliary
Two Weekends, Friday and Saturday
March 29-30, April 5-6 PIONEER HALL, FREEMAN, S.D.
1000 Guests Served Nightly
Germans-from-Russia Buffet Meal - 3:45 p.m.-7 p.m.
Advance Order Only Meal Tickets For 1000 Guests Each Evening
Ethnic Handcraft and Food Displays and Schmeckfest Country Kitchen open 1 p.m.-7 p.m. Heritage Hall Museum Complex open 1 p.m.-8 p.m.
Musical Theater “Godspell” 2018
MUSICAL PRODUCTION NIGHTLY - 8 P.M. Additional 7:30 p.m. performance Thursday, April 4
Sausage Sales & Demonstration
Book, music and lyrics by Sandy Wilson
Licensing agent: Music Theatre International (MTI), 421 West 54th St., New York, NY 10019
Handcraft Demonstrations
Tickets: www.schmeckfest.com • Info: 605-925-4542
Tom with his sons, Brad (left) and Doug (right)
enjoy working with old iron and hope to do my part to preserve a little bit of history with each tractor.” A lifelong farmer, Tom’s passion for agriculture dates back to his childhood. A son of immigrant parents who left England after World War I to settle near family in South Dakota, Tom spent his youth helping on his family’s farm, where they raised sheep, cattle and crops. After graduating from high school, Tom was drafted to serve in the Army during the Korean War. In 1954, he returned home to the farm and officially purchased it in 1962. He married his sweetheart, Janice (Ja Neece) Miller, in 1956, and together they raised
four children — Alan, Brad, Lori, and Doug, and raised crops, dairy, hogs and cattle. “There was no question back then that I would farm,” he says. “In those days, there were so many young farmers; it didn’t cost as much then as it does now. Today, it seems like it’s next to impossible to get started considering the price of land and the operating costs. That’s why I’m looking forward to helping Brad get his son, Brent, more involved with the farm.” After 60 years of farming, Tom admits it’s hard to step back. “I can see how far the farm has come along in 60 years,” he says. “Looking back to when
10 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
my parents bought this place in 1931, there was no electricity and no hydraulics. In 1937 and 1938, South Dakota was hit with terrible blizzards, and all we had were scoop shovels. Today’s modern machinery makes farming easier, especially if you don’t have livestock. Now the hardest part of farming is paying for it.” Looking back on a successful career in agriculture, Tom spent many years serving as a Davison County Commissioner. Active in his community, you can often find Tom riding one of his beloved tractors in a local parade where he enjoys visiting with friends and neighbors about his machinery and the history of the old equipment.
1100 S Burr St, Mitchell, SD 57301 (605) 996-7102 dalesa1transmission.com January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 11
COUNTRY NEIGHBOR
The Sandhoff family’s roots to the Dimock area date back to 1911 when George Sandhoff and his wife, Anna, settled one mile south of Dimock. As a young boy, George was orphaned and placed in a church orphanage in Cincinnati, Ohio. Around the turn of the century, it was not uncommon for Midwestern farming families to adopt children from out east and have them help on their farms. It has been estimated that from 1900 to 1920, over 250,000 orphaned children were placed on Orphan Trains and sent westward. At approximately four years old, George was put on a train and ended up in St. Helena, Neb. to be adopted by a local family.
THE SANDHOFFS Photos by Vincent Gene Photography
Just south of Dimock, there is a local landmark that is a bit off the norm than the typical rural scenery. You will see an old silo that has been painted several times over the years. It simply catches the eye of people as they drive by.
I n 1 976 , P e p s i C o r p . approached the Sandhoff family to paint the silo and make it look like a Pepsi can. That year was the country’s Bicentennial and patriotic themes dating back to the American Revolution became popular again including “Spirit of ‘76”. So, Pepsi built an ad campaign around that theme and they painted, “Catch the Spirit” along with the Pepsi logo on the silo.
12 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
Over time, the paint faded a bit, and in 1983, Pepsi Corp. painted “Sandhoff Brothers” on the silo as a tribute to the family that farmed in that area. In 2018, the family gave the silo a unique facelift when Menno airbrush artist Mickey Harris painted a new mural on it. This project was done in conjunction with a Sandhoff family reunion that included area family members and those living in Iowa. (You’ll find a picture of the silo as the centerfold of this issue.)
Now, over a century later, George Sandhoff’s grandson, who shares his name, and his wife, Diane, are active in the Parkston and Dimock communities. George was raised on the family farm one mile south and 1/4 mile west of Dimock, South Dakota. He is the oldest of eight siblings, one brother and six sisters, with one sister deceased. George married a farm girl, Diane, in 1973, and they have two children and three granddaughters. Their son, Brian, and his wife, Carrie, live in Centennial, Colo. with their daughters Elizabeth, Anna, and Lily. The Sandhoffs’ daughter, Shelly, lives in Parkston. George is best known by people who share a love for vintage John Deere tractors. He is a go-to guy when January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 13
it comes to questions that pop up pertaining to parts and equipment for these vintage tractors. With a career’s worth of experience to refer to, the knowledge he’s gained enables him to provide the answers to most questions. George started learning about tractors at a young age. During high school, he helped at Unteriner’s in Dimock during the summer. “My dad was employed by Unteriner's Brothers in the 1930s, working on threshing machines and installing and repairing windmills in the area,” says George. “After high school, I joined the South Dakota National Guard and was a guard member for nine years. In 1967, I returned from basic training. While gone, Unteriner's Inc. was sold to the Eugene and Luverne Weber families, so I started working full time for Weber Equipment in the parts department. I worked for Weber Equipment until it was sold to Noteboom’s. I retired in 2010, after 43 years of selling John Deere parts behind the counter.” George’s decision to step down from his job was driven by the fact that he lost both his parents and father-in-law within one year’s time. “It drove home how we are here for only a short time so take time and enjoy life. I keep busy with family, grandkids, volunteering and working with Twin Rivers Old Iron Association tractor club,” he shares. During George’s many years behind the counter, he interacted with a lot of people. “As a parts man, I saw many changes over the years. The best part was working with all the farmers and their families. In the earlier years of my
joining the club in Delmont, South Dakota. He had always enjoyed working with old equipment so being a part of the organization was a perfect fit. “I have several old tractors—both John Deere and IHC—that kind of shine and some without shine. My favorite is a 1948 John Deere Model G that is as old as the owner. It has been in the family for 68 years,” says George. George and Diane Sandhoff and their granddaughters Anna and Lily (Not pictured: Elizabeth)
job, people farmed a smaller number of acres therefore there were more family farms. Our stock orders came in once a month by trucks, then weekly, to now daily. As the farms grew in size and equipment got bigger, fewer farms existed so there were fewer customers. Technology also changed how farmers operated and purchased equipment and parts. The face-to-face direct contact changed when internet and cell phones became the norm,” explains George.
Murtha family. “There was a unique thing about the John Deere business in Dimock and Parkston, because there was an independent repair shop owned by John Murtha located inside the John Deere business’ walls. His repair shop was one of our best parts purchasers, and this was a good arrangement for our customers. When Weber Equipment sold to Noteboom’s, Murtha Repair left and built a new building,” says George.
Through the years, George forged many friendships—one of those relationships with the
In 2005, a member of the Twin Rivers Old Iron Association asked George to consider
14 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
George wants to preserve his great-grandparents’, grandparents’, and parents’ way of farming. “Their heritage sets the path we are on today. They worked hard and endured many challenges through the years, many that continue on today. I enjoy working with the Twin Rivers Old Iron Assoc. club members, both young and old, on preserving our past and preserving the history of the equipment we use. We are a club that is enthusiastic about preserving agriculture's heritage through restoring antiques, tractors, and demonstrations of using old machinery during the annual Fall Harvest Festival. Our goal is to help younger generations become involved in keeping the agricultural heritage going. Our kids and grandkids are our future.” So, the next time you drive down Highway 37 and see that painted silo on the east side of the road, you will know that image is more than just something to catch your eye. Its intent is to symbolize the preservation of local history and the farming lifestyle of five generations of Sandhoffs that have lived in the area.
PRO CONTRACTING
Steel Buildings Poured Concrete Walls Driveways/ Concrete Slabs
605-996-8350
pro-contracting.com | Find us on Facebook! 1804 West Haven Ave, Mitchell, SD 57301 Serving South Dakota Since 2000
January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 15
AG INNOVATOR inception, the company has grown to nine employees, and they are now producing their system for placement around the country and internationally. Dihl explains, “Our system can be installed and used anywhere, really, but the ideal customer is in a place where weather conditions are a challenge and infrequent rainfall.”
Dihl Grohs, Kimball area rancher and inventor of HydroGreen
From an economic perspective, the models HydroGreen has developed show that customers can expect a full return on their investment in as little as 12-18 months, because everything is automated, saving labor costs and expensive field equipment. Another benefit of their system includes the use of very little land relative to conventional means, which also means the system can be put virtually anywhere.
HYDROGREEN GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES The term innovation can be most simply defined as: a new product, method or idea. In agriculture, innovation can come in the most minute improvement in a process or product or can happen via a total paradigm shift in thinking. For HydroGreen Global Technologies, just west of Renner, the ag innovation they have developed is on the paradigm shift end of the spectrum. On the surface, HydroGreen’s offices and research headquarters look very similar to many other farm acreages
in South Dakota, but when you discover the technology and growing process taking place within their outbuildings, you quickly realize how different their approach to producing animal feed has become. HydroGreen uses their own patent pending system to grow grasses in a controlled building environment that produces healthy live, green feed that is harvested daily. Everything within the system is automated. The seeding, lighting, watering, and harvesting are all controlled by the push of a button.
16 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
The entire process from seed to feed takes seven days. The crop is grown independent of weather conditions such as drought or winter’s cold. Because of the controlled environment, there is not the concern for insects or other invasive plants competing with the feed being grown. This is an all-natural growing process in the truest sense. The system can be easily scaled to feed an operation as small as 5-head and up to several thousand.
From a big picture perspective, since HydroGreen’s founding in 2015, they have come a long way. Considering the vast market potential, they still have a very high ceiling of opportunity. They will continue to promote the benefits of their technology and fill those orders as they continually come in from across the country and around the world.
America's Choice for In-home Senior Health Care
HydroGreen was founded in 2015 by Kimball area rancher and inventor Dihl Grohs. Since January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 17
PAINTED SILO ON THE SANDHOFF FAMILY FARM (PHOTO BY VINCENT GENE PHOTOGRAPHY)
18 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 19
KEEPING LOCAL HISTORY ALIVE
Photo courtesy of Emil Wiese family east of Doland, South Dakota
THE STORY OF JOHN DEERE’S ALL WHEEL DRIVE TRACTOR: THE DAIN Every major U.S. company has taken risks and pushed the bar of innovation. These companies have had their share of homerun success stories, and those same companies have had their share of swing and misses too. An example of a swing and miss would be when the Coca-Cola executive suggested tweaking the recipe for Coke in the mid1980s. Meanwhile, when Steve Jobs had the vision to expand Apple’s product offerings by launching the iPhone in 2007— that would be an example of a home run.
In the agricultural industry, there are fewer brands with a more iconic history than John Deere. The history of Deere and Company has a very interesting tie to South Dakota. In the early 1910s, all aspects of life were quickly progressing away from horsepower, and agriculture was no different. Ag manufacturers were competing for market share in the emerging tractor market. The goal of all manufacturers was to build the “ultimate tractor” for farm use, combining field
20 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
performance at an affordable price. At the time, Deere and Company was most well known for their core business of manufacturing plows, but they knew they needed a tractor of their own. On March 5, 1912, John Deere’s Board of Directors decided to throw their hat in the ring and attempt to build the best tractor in the industry. In July of 1912, staff engineer C.H. Melvin was assigned to work on a plan for an experimental tractor plow. Melvin attempted
several experimental prototypes, which all proved to be unsuccessful. In 1914, Melvin’s work was discontinued, and the project was passed to John Deere Vice President, Joseph Dain. The company’s goal was to produce an affordable tractor for farmers with a retail price of approximately $700, and Dain was assigned to make it happen.
SERVING SOUTH DAKOTA FROM SOUTH DAKOTA SINCE 1916
Dain began the project immediately with the hope to produce his experimental tractor at an approximate cost of $3,000 (~$55,000 in today’s dollar) which was 1/2 the cost of Melvin’s prototype. Dain did his homework and researched the competition’s designs and ideas. Working with Melvin’s research, Dain created the first prototype in the spring of 1915. The finished product was a three wheeled tractor. Two front wheels steered the tractor, and one large wheel in the back allowed for ground traction. It was a chain driven all-wheel drive with a four-cylinder Waukesha engine and weighed in at 3,800 pounds. In the fall of 1915, Dain completed his second prototype, which weighed 4,000 pounds. This unit was sent to Winnebago, Minnesota for field testing. In the spring of 1916, Dain accompanied the third prototype to San Antonio, Texas for field testing. He reported no weakness in construction, gears, chains or universals. He further reported this third prototype
FARM & RANCH
HOME
AUTO
(605) 854-3337 | DeSmetFarmMutual.com January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 21
tractor on his ranch located just north of Huron. He plowed 110 acres and harvested 260 acres, and he also pulled five wagon loads of stone to Huron on two different occasions for 12 miles. Mr. Brumwell was very pleased with the Dain tractor’s performance and bought three tractors—one for himself and two others that he sold to local farmers J.J. Hofer and Frank Lyon. Dain, however, was not overly pleased with the Waukesha engines and enlisted Walter McVickers to design a fourcylinder gasoline engine especially for the Dain. Upon the completion of this engine, all the 1916 tractors were returned and fitted with the custom-made McVickers engine. In October 1917, Joseph Dain personally went to the Brumwell ranch near Huron to see the performance of his tractors. These field tests were conducted in cold, wet conditions, and Dain contracted pneumonia. Upon his return home to Minneapolis, Minn., he died of complications from the illness.
Photo courtesy of Emil Wiese family east of Doland, South Dakota
held up well in the extremely hard and rough conditions. On March 13, 1916, Dain approached John Deere’s Board of Directors, recommending that ten of these tractors be built at once. By mid-June, work had begun on six experimental tractors. They were completed by September. Of the six, one was sent to Minot, ND and one
to Fargo, ND along with three to Minnesota and one to Huron. These tractors tested well, however, they required some minor upgrades. The tractor that was sent to Huron, S.D. was delivered to F.R. Brumwell, the local John Deere agent and a friend of Joseph Dain. Brumwell successfully field tested the
22 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
Following Joseph Dain’s death, his son Joseph Dain Jr., who worked with his father on the development of the tractor, was assigned to oversee the department. On December 11, 1917, the board approved the manufacture of 100 Dain tractors and was expected to have 50 completed by June 1, 1918. On March 16, 1918, Deere and Company bought the already established Waterloo Tractor Company. This acquisition would give the company a step ahead in the tractor race with a well performing, field tested product already in the market.
Frank Hansen’s restored #79
The Waterloo was cheaper to manufacture and would retail for around $900 compared to the Dain’s $1,400 price tag. Upon completion of the Dain tractors that were built at the tenth street factory in East Moline, Ill., all 100 were sent to the Brumwell dealership in Huron, S.D. It is believed that not long after their arrival, Deere & Company decided to discontinue the manufacturing of the Dain tractor. There are no known records of why this decision was made. Likely several factors played a role in the discontinuation of the Dain—the higher price of the Dain, Joseph Dain Sr.’s untimely death, and the purchase of the Waterloo Boy. Currently, only two and a half surviving examples of the Dain
are known to exist. One that was fully restored by the Frank Hansen, #79 which resides at the John Deere tractor museum. The 2nd is #34 that belongs to the Northern Illinois steam power club, and a Dain frame that resides in Nebraska. Very little information about the Dain after 1918 is available, but several “Dain Hunters” have made great efforts to track down information. One such example is a Huron area antique collector and business owner, Andy Gross, along with his friend Joe Small. From Andy’s research, some of the gaps can be filled in. He discovered proof that the Dain was in the Huron area, through an old newspaper ad for a tractor demonstration at Cavour, S.D. on September 7th, 1918. The event was hosted by Frank Brumwell, who owned the lumber yard in Cavour.
Andy has also obtained copies of invoices from the Deere & Webber Co. out of Minneapolis. This invoice lists tractors that were shipped to the Fogelsong-Lawson dealership in Tulare, S.D. on July 12, 1918, one of which is listed as the J.D. Dain at a price of $1,395 retail. Another Dain was delivered on Sept. 10, 1918 for the same price, and then on Nov. 2, 1918, four J.D. Dains were delivered at a retail of $1,450 each. Andy has located documentation stating that in February of 1919, the Cavour lumber yard was offering the John Deere three-wheel drive tractor along with the Waterloo Boy for sale. His research also showed that on September 14, 1920, Deere & Webber Co. was at the South Dakota State Fair doing a plowing demonstration
January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 23
It’s never too late... ...to have the smile you’ve always wanted. A lot has changed in dentistry. Find out what we can do for you.
using the Waterloo Boy and the John Deere Dain tractor. On Aug. 22,1921, the Cavour lumber yard advertised the Dain priced with a three-bottom plow for $1,500. Also, in the same year, four Dains were reported to be in Watertown, S.D. and three in St. Lawrence at a price of $1,265 each. In 1922, one sold for $750, and one in 1923 sold for $637. On Sep.14, 1924, Brumwell displayed a Dain at the South Dakota State Fair. That same year, one sold for $550. The last recorded sale Andy Gross has found was in 1925 for the price of $550.
Top Left: Andy Gross holding a Dain toolbox; Top Right: F.R. Brumwell, former Huron John Deere Implement owner and Dain's friend; Bottom: Joseph Dain, Sr.
So, what happened to the supposed inventory of almost 100 tractors that were shipped to Huron? According to Andy, the local lore is a great story itself. He explains, “I grew up hearing the story that shortly after getting delivered to Huron, Brumwell was ordered by Deere & Company to buy back the tractors that were sold to the public and destroy them along with any remaining inventory. Brumwell gathered up the tractors, took them to his ranch along the James River, blew them up with dynamite and used them
Special thanks to Andy Gross and Joe Small for their contributions to this article.
for river bank stabilization. Other stories say that he used them for fill for roads, dams, and railroad work, or they were pushed into lakes and reservoirs. Others feel that during times of need, the Dains were harvested during scrap drives.”
714 West 18th Ave., Mitchell, South Dakota 57301 (605) 996-0650 | hart-dental.com facebook.com/HartFamilyDental
The Dains were recalled at some point, and some were destroyed with some possibly being dumped in the river. Andy shares, “However, my opinion is that Brumwell, being the businessman he was, stepped back and asked himself, ‘Why should we destroy these perfectly good tractors? Let’s sell them at half price and tell the customer there are no replacement parts and they are buying the tractor as is!’”
stress less today
So, based on Andy’s perspective, at a minimum, there is a stockpile of Dain parts and pieces in a sandbar on the Jim River and perhaps there is an old tractor parked in hiding in an old shelter belt somewhere near Huron. In either case, the lore and legend around the hunt of the Dains overshadow any perspective that the Dain was just a corporate swing and a miss from John Deere 100 years ago.
Get a massage.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE. SEARCH: JOHN DEERE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE THE "DAIN"
24 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
605-999-3955 Book your massage at
sdmassagecenter.acuityscheduling.com Selena (McCreight) Thomas, LMT, CLT Specializing in medical massage and lymphedema therapy Facebook.com/yourbodyismybusiness sdmassagecenter@gmail.com 817 N. Sanborn Blvd, Ste 101, Mitchell, SD 57301 January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 25
AG BUSINESS PROFILE
JASON GREENWAY – CORINSURANCE Mitchell resident Jason Greenway has chosen a profession that enables him to be active in the Ag Industry and connect with his family’s farming roots at the same time. Jason is a grandson of Mt. Vernon area farmer Tom Greenway. Although Jason did not grow up actively involved in the day-to-day operations of his grandfather’s and uncles’ farms, he and his twin brother, Justin, were no strangers to the farm either. “My summers as a kid were spent on the farm helping with whatever chores a kid could do. In my younger days, my grandfather was still milking cows. I helped many hours cleaning up the area as new cows were moved in. As I got older, their operation evolved into a start-to-finish hog operation. During those years, I enjoyed helping in the 26 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
farrowing barn with the new-born piglets as well as hauling feed into the finishing barn as the hogs grew,” recalls Jason. Jason graduated from Augustana University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and a minor in Finance and Entrepreneurship. He now works as an agent for CorInsurance, an independent insurance agency, out of Mitchell. Jason can find the policy that is the best fit for a client’s needs based on their individual situation. He can offer a wide variety of insurance products focused on the farming customer and is licensed to sell crop insurance and commercial insurance as well as property/casualty lines for personal auto and home products. “As an independent agency, we write for numerous different companies. This gives us the freedom to find the best rates available as well as provide more custom or specific coverages,” explains Jason. “Farm insurance is a product line that I really enjoy,” continues Jason. “I like to get out of the office and visit the client’s farm. It is always interesting to see how each farm runs their operation. By personally going out to their farm, I can see risk exposures the operator may not realize are there. This is the type of specialized service CorInsurance provides, and experience is key in making sure they are covered across the board,” says Jason. Jason has been surprised by people’s complacency about insurance: “Many people never check into their insurance coverage which can lead them to not only be under-insured but also paying far too much for the coverage they do have,” says Jason. Long-term, Jason’s goal is to grow his business and make an impact in the community he grew up in. “I would love to be able to give back by helping those who have made their careers in this area. I’d like to help as many families as possible and assure they are protecting their assets properly while providing top-tier customer service in a friendly manner,” says Jason. If you would like to discuss the insurance needs for your farm with Jason, you can contact him at 605-996-6070.
Improving Communication en e tw ts be iden res
and busin esse s
BUILDING COMMUNITY loyalty
commerce FFA & 4-H groups
GROUPS
sports organizations
unity church groups special interest groups
STAY CONNECTED to your COMMUNITY Download the App Today! farmingfamiliesconnected.com
January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 27
COUNTRY NEIGHBOR
KEVIN ALBRECHT Photos by AllScapes Photography
When Heritage Hall Museum in Freeman has a question pertaining to an antique tractor or plow, the museum’s staff has a short list of people they contact. High on that list is Marion area resident Kevin Albrecht, a local crop insurance salesman. When not working, he is actively researching and broadening his knowledge of antique tractors and plows. The Albrecht Collection is a family affair that goes back several generations. Kevin’s grandfather Jacob and Uncle Walt were horsemen, while both Kevin and his father, Ray, preferred collecting vintage farm equipment and working with tractors. In both scenarios, the need to fix up old equipment versus buying new was the primary motivation. Over time, the collections grew. Today, Kevin along with his cousin Steve and second cousin Chris continue to add to the collection. Kevin recalls how he first discovered his interest in old iron. “In the summer of 1974, the local community celebrated the 100th anniversary of my ancestors immigrating to America and had a gathering at a local farm. I was four or five at the time and remember my parents driving the 1925 spoke flywheel D and 1928 D to the farm for the celebration. This is the earliest memory that I have.” “I am sure that my early interest in history and collecting are tied to family, friends, and the antique collector community,” continues Kevin. “Many of my earliest (and best) memories are of working on or displaying tractors with my father, uncle, and cousin. I used to enjoy hearing the many stories about the old days when Dad would visit with others.” One of Kevin’s other hobbies is participating in antique plowing competitions. This started in 1990 with a contest at Prairie Village near Madison, South Dakota. Since that first event, his interest has evolved into international competitions across
28 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
the world. Internationally, he has represented the United States in competitions in Slovenia, Sweden, Denmark, and Kenya. “At these international competitions, we use modern plowing equipment. I have attended the last ten world contests and developed many friendships from around the world. The contest is a great excuse to get together with a community of international friends and see the world,” explains Kevin.
#EIDELIKE I ’D LI KE PE ACE O F M I N D
Kevin appreciates the interaction that people’s passion for antiques and history can facilitate. With every item, there is a unique story. These stories are part of local community history. “I’ve always enjoyed a great story, whether I am hearing it or telling it. My favorite collectibles generally have a great story behind them,” shares Kevin.
Below is a Q&A with Kevin to describe some specific items he has and the stories behind them. In this issue, we tell the story of the John Deere All-Wheel Drive Tractor, also known as the Dain. You have a very specific interest in this tractor. Could you explain what you have and some of the background on those items? I currently have two Dain toolboxes in my collection. The first one I obtained is serial number 191846. Jim Johansen was a very knowledgeable collector,
Eide Bailly has been proudly serving farm families for over a century, providing tax, estate & gift planning as well as wealth transfer services. We have the expertise and solutions to help you stay focused on what really matters—running your operation.
Beth Feuchtenberger | 605.977.2728 Tom Pruner | 605.367.6710 Grant Vande Kamp | 605.977.2708
What inspires you, inspires us. Let’s talk. | eidebailly.com January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 29
manual perfectly. If the manual had been printed correctly, or had not been corrected by hand, I would have never known that the tag was traded for the specific manual.
and he was a good friend of my dad and I. Jim was from the Huron area, and he helped Frank Hansen research All Wheel Drive Huron history in the early years. Dad and I spent countless hours listening to Jim talk about the Dains. In the early 80s, he asked if we would like a toolbox from a Dain and we eagerly said, “Yes!” The toolbox was in use on a corn sheller, and Dad gave Jim money to purchase a new toolbox that Jim traded to the farmer for the Dain toolbox. Unfortunately, Jim passed away in the late 90s. In about 2000, I contacted the Johansen family and said that if they ever wanted to sell the serial number tag that came off my box, I would be interested in it. They knew nothing of such a tag. My father passed away in 2003. In 2005, Two Cylinder Magazine offered several pieces related
to the Dain for sale including a serial number plate, an original operator’s manual, and a Dain toy made by Frank Hansen. My interest was instantly piqued, and I contacted the Johansen family again to confirm that they knew nothing of a tag for my toolbox. When I went to visit them, they showed me a letter from Frank Hansen (owner of tractor 191879) to Jim Johansen that said “Received serial number plate and many thanks. Am forwarding it to a fellow in Waterloo for an original operator’s manual.” I then took the toolbox to Two-Cylinder headquarters to compare it with serial number tag 191846. The holes and mounting wear spots were a perfect match. I made the purchase and the serial number tag and toolbox were reunited after approximately 25 years apart!
30 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
The following is the series of events relating to the two pieces: 1) Jim Johansen collected serial number 191846 and traded it to Frank Hansen for an All-Wheel Drive toy that Frank was selling at the time. 2) Frank traded the serial number tag to a fellow in Waterloo for the opportunity to reproduce an original operator’s manual. A copy of the reproduced manual was provided with each of the toys Frank sold. 3) In 2005, I purchased the serial number tag that was originally on my toolbox and the original operator’s instruction manual that it was traded for. When John Deere printed the original operator manuals, they contained a mistake. The firing order was wrong. The original operators manual Frank reproduced had the firing order corrected in red pen and it matches the hand writing in the reproduction
I also have Dain toolbox with serial number 19196. This is one of my biggest surprises! Earlier this Spring, I was driving home from Sioux Falls, and my cousin Chris called to tell me about an All-Wheel Drive toolbox that was selling online the next day. As we talked, he told me that the serial was 19196. I told him that was not correct since all known serial numbers contained six digits and started with 1918 (i.e. 191824, 191830, 1911846, etc.). I assured him that pictures can be misleading, that tags were not always stamped clearly and that something was wrong; he was not convinced. When I got home and looked at the pictures, I knew a closer inspection was required. I wasn’t convinced myself until I looked at the box the next day. The auctioneer told me that when he was setting up the online auction, this toolbox came in mounted on an old two row planter. The rest of the iron from that farm had been scrapped two years earlier and this piece had been missed. After several calls about the auction listing, he did some research and realized how special it was. Within 20 hours of the first call, I owned the toolbox. I consider this serial number tag to be a major find in the All-Wheel Drive story. In the 80s and 90s, I had heard that 100 tractors were built in 1918 and that an additional 100 may have been built in 1919, but no proof of the additional tractors existed. The most credible theory at this time would indicate that approximately 100 tractors were built, and this toolbox may prove that
they were built over two model years. Hopefully more will be learned soon, stay tuned…. In the “Keeping Local History Alive” feature this month, we mention that John Deere discontinued the manufacturing of the Dain because the company
purchased the Waterloo Tractor Company as they had a tractor already in production, the Waterloo Boy. You have one of those. Could you tell us a little about this? In the summer of 1975, my family took a vacation to Montana to visit relatives. As
January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 31
we were driving through the Wolf Point area, we passed a farm of old iron that interested my father. The farmer, George L. Jacobs, lived in Wolf Point and Dad tracked him down to talk. George said, “I suppose you are here about the Waterloo Boy.” It was in such bad condition that Dad did not even recognize it. After the visit, we continued to our relatives in Glendive for the night, but Dad could not get the Waterloo Boy out of his head. The next day, he told Mom he would never be any closer and that he was going to go back and look at it. Mom, my sister, and I stayed in Glendive on an extremely hot day with relation that did not have air conditioning. Mom had her hands full with two very hot bored children that day. (I remember going to a local store to pass time and cool down.) No deal was made for the Waterloo Boy at that time. George did not have a telephone, and he would not respond to the letters that Dad sent, so Mom and Dad picked my sister and I up from school with the farm truck and drove 711 miles to Wolf Point after the tractor. Dad didn’t know if he was willing to sell or if he was even home. When asked if he would sell the tractor, and George told Dad, “I wasn’t going to sell it, but since you are here with the truck, lets load it up.” The next day, I remember getting soaking wet playing in the snow while the tractor was loaded. I even had my own find, an old broken pedal tractor that was also loaded on the truck. The Waterloo Boy was such a basket case that one rear wheel didn’t turn, but it was successfully loaded, and we made our way home.
The 1919 Waterloo Boy is very special because in the collecting world, it is a very desirable tractor and for many years, we had the only one around. Dad and I spent countless hours taking it to shows, fairs, and centennials. One summer, it spent more than 30 days on the show circuit. Dad especially liked to talk about how he got it and how much work went in to restoring it. He was often recognized as the man that displays the Waterloo Boy. You also have a collection of several other vintage John Deere tractors. Tell us a little about what you have. 1926 D John Deere – By the mid 1960’s, Dad had collected 1925, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 D John Deeres. He wanted a 1926 D since it was the year he was born. A local farmer had one, and Dad asked if it was for sale, but the $5,000 asking price was crazy for those days. Over the years, Dad kept asking, and the price kept coming down. Eventually, Dad ended up paying $800, which was still an arm and a leg for it. It sat in the yard un-restored and was my favorite tractor to play on as a small child, so I adopted it. In the late 70s, my family was vacationing in Nebraska, and we visited a very knowable John Deere collector named Ken Berns of Blue Hill, Nebraska. At the time, Gas Engine Magazine was attempting to register all Waterloo Boys and D JD up to serial number 36248. Dad asked what was so special about 36248 as we had 36249 at home. Ken asked Dad with a shocked look if he had heard Dad’s serial number correctly. It was at this point that Ken said 36248 was the last D built with
32 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
a spoke flywheel, and 36249 was the start of solid flywheel production.
Proud dealer of
Is there a “Dream Item” you’d like to find one day? My collecting interests are continually evolving. As a child, I enjoyed collecting plows because they represented the earliest efforts to tame the wild prairie and didn’t cost a lot to purchase. As I got older, my primary focus turned to smaller tractors of the late teens, because they were geared to individual farms and contained a lot of unique engineering. I now find myself drawn to very early examples of technology and recently purchased an 1884 Frick Eclipse steam engine. Its age and small size (I can haul it with a pickup and trailer) piqued my interest. I would like to find an early example of a tractor, car, and gas engine if possible. Obviously, availability and the piggy bank are restricting factors here, but I have my whole life to find what I am looking for.
SPRAYER CONTROLS • SPRAY TIPS • PLASTIC FITTINGS • AND MORE
Your Ag parts dealer is here for you.
Benco Products Inc Daniel Severson 27093 Katie RD, Tea, SD 57064 1-888-649-4862 | dan@bencoparts.com
Over the years, Kevin has met many great people and built friendships who share his interests. “I have met more wonderful people through the years in the hobby than I could possibly mention. It really is a community, and I continue to make more friends all the time. The historical items I collect have tremendous power to stimulate dialogue between people and create friendships,” says Kevin. “That is the primary reason for the Albrecht Collection—having some cool old iron in he shed is just a bonus.”
605-996-6282
PalaceMotoSportsinc.com See Palace MotoSports in Mitchell for a
AG USE DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!
605-996-6282 • palacemotosportsinc.com January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 33
FROM THE KITCHEN
Everyone has a great story... Let us tell YOURS.
NOODLES Provided by Peggy Greenway, Mt. Vernon, SD
AGE is a storytelling and strategy group of skilled professionals that creates media to capture your brand or business story or family farm history. Make sure your story is captured in its entirety along with the facts and emotions of the storyteller.
INGREDIENTS: • 2 egg yolks • 1 T. melted butter • 2 T. cream • 1/4 tsp. baking powder • 1/4 tsp. salt • Flour DIRECTIONS: Beat all ingredients, except flour. Stir in flour to make a very stiff dough. Put on well-floured board and knead a few times. Roll out very, very thin. Cut into strips. Cook in chicken broth at once. May also be air dried or frozen.
We offer
23 Varieties of Cheese 8 Cheese Spreads 6 Gift Box Options Fundraising Opportunity
VIDEOGRAPHY • PHOTOGRAPHY AERIAL PHOTO & VIDEO • LOGO DESIGN • WRITING MARKETING COLLATERAL DESIGN
Along HWY 37-South of Mitchell
400 Main St, Dimock, SD | 605-928-3833 cheese@dimockdairy.com | dimockcheese.com 34 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019
For more information, contact Garrett Gross at (515) 231-9367 or Garrett@agemedia.pub January 2019 The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties / 35
HEADACHES and MIGRAINES? With specific x-rays, spinal analysis and gentle adjustments, we can help. “I had headaches and migraines for years. I know the pain.... the laying on the couch. The pain that interferes with life. I know what it’s like when you want to engage, go out and play with the kids. But you can’t.” -Dr. Seth
CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION.
605-292-2992
Dr. Seth Severtson, Chiropractor
409 S Ohlman St | Mitchell, SD 57301 | www.drsevertson.com 36 / The Farming Families of Davison and Hanson Counties January 2019