Stan Disbrow wrote on Tuesday, January 02, 2001 (PST): Joe, Nice story. Your dad reminds me a lot of my own dad. I grew up on the other side of the river from you in Pine Plains. Our family business was the John Deere dealership in Pine Plains and Copake (closed up in 1982). My dad was a machinist/toolmaker by trade and used those skills to keep farm equipment running. There were a lot of farms on the rocks in the 1970's around there. Many times, dad would fabricate or remachine a part for a farmer that couldn't pay for the work. We didn't have a lot of money, but we ate pretty well (farmers can always barter food, you see). My dad is gone, too, but I have a lot of memories of him on his 1958 JD 420 crawler/dozer. I still have it, sitting in my workshop. I now live on 1 acre in Raleigh, NC, so I don't have a use for the old 420, but I'll keep it around. One never knows when one might just buy an old farm someday! I also have a 1950 JD 'M' (can be seen on my 'tractor town' entry). This was a total basket case when we got it. My dad and I spent two years putting it back together. I never thought you could repair a piston with a hole in the top, but dad repaired *both* of the ones in the old 'M'. It's been running for the past 15 years like that, so he must have done it right. I still use the 'M' as a lawn mower. Take care! Stan (aka 'Steamer') Tim wrote on Wednesday, January 03, 2001 (PST): I got teary eyed remembering my grandpa reading your story. He was a millright for GM working on assembly line set ups and conversions. When he passed away I drove down to Fla. to get his tools, everyone else said they were only good for scrap but I didn't care. I am a diesel mechanic for the railroad working on locomotives and it may sound corny to some people , but I feel he's there helping me when I use his tools. I have tools that are brand new snap on's and such but I always find myself grabbing for his old bonneys and proto's first.These memories are worth more to me than gold, I didn't get his tractor but I did get his roto tiller and am going to pull it out of the shed someday and get it back in the garden so he can help me out there too ! Have a great New Year . Tim Robin Norris wrote on Wednesday, January 03, 2001 (PST): I was blessed by your story. Honoring your father and mother is the first step in understanding how to honor your creator. My Dad had an old 8N, that I spent hours sitting on playing... Recently a neighbor gave me the hulk of an 8N that had been left in pieces. I overhauled it, doing things to an engine that I have never attempted before. It runs now and is an integral part of our 5 acre mini farm. The best part of the whole thing is each minute I work on that old tractor, something reminds me of my daddy. I wouldn't take solid gold for those memories! Brian wrote on Wednesday, January 03, 2001 (PST): What a great story. I was brought up in farming here in England. My father is still with us at the age of 93. He started with horses and finished his career driving a Ford 4000 which I sold to his boss. My experiences were very much like yours, riding with the driver and being allowed to steer a Model N. I also used to ride the threshing engine when the contractors came to the farm. I really enjoyed you story. regards Brian hank wrote on Wednesday, January 03, 2001 (PST): Your appreciation for the rural life and how it is missed in an urban lifestyle is really meaningful to me. Very well expressed and interesting. Dsl wrote on Wednesday, January 03, 2001 (PST): Beautiful. Your honour of your Dad kept my eyes misty the whole time. Few things are more important than honouring your father and mother. Amazing how such simple things as a whiff of a scent from your childhood can bring memories crashing in on you with such realism you think you can reach out and touch the past. Thanks for a touching and memorable story. Fargo wrote on Thursday, January 04, 2001 (PST): Wonderful story. I think alot of the people who read this will understand it. I too grew up in NYC and spent summers in Columbia County. I now have a hobby farm up there. Hope the future memories will be as good as your past ones, Mark Don Haymaker wrote on Thursday, January 04, 2001 (PST): Joe, a few comments for you. At first, I simply wanted to tell you how I enjoyed your story. The reality of it is this, it prompted a flood of memories of my childhood and how I grew up in Indiana. Only 3 years seperate our ages, and my household was similar to what you expressed. I remember being curious and wanting to learn everything possible about the machinery, the farm tasks, and how to do so many things. Knowledge was, back then and even now, worth more than most "city" folks realize. Dad is still with us, though Mom died in 1996. And even though I'm miles away, every now and then I hear the tractors running, the dirt is turning... Frank wrote on Thursday, January 04, 2001 (PST): Hey Joe, Great article, touching story! It made me think of my own dad. Like yours, he was born & raised in NY City (Bronx, not Brooklyn). Also like your dad mine was a working man who never shyed from doing a job well. Unlike your dad, mine didn't do any farming, & I doubt he ever even sat on a tractor seat. But when I was a kid I too thought my dad could fix just about anything mechanical! Thanks for the article, it was great! PS; My dad was also named Martin. I think he & your dad would have liked each other. Bret wrote on Friday, January 05, 2001 (PST): "Honor thy father and mother." You keep telling your kids about their grandparents, they'll turn out as good as can be. I know what you mean about bring back memories- The sound of a Zippo lighter opening and closing, or the smell of Hoppes #9 does it for me. God bless. Tom wrote on Friday, January 05, 2001 (PST): That's a great story. I enjoyed it very much. I'm a little older than you. I grew up next to my Grandfather's farm and spent most of my waking hours with him. I'm convinced that most of the problem's of todays society could be solved by going back to the way we grew up.We spent most of our time with parent's or grandparent's learning how to be responible and caring adult's. We also learned how to do a day's work for a day's pay. I wouldn't trade my childhood on my grandfather's farm for all the money and fame in the world. Thank you for a great article. Mike OH wrote on Saturday, January 06, 2001 (PST): Just a great story. Wish I could have spent more years with my dad, but he passed on at age 54. Seemed as though he spent all his time working on the job providing for us, or in the garden so we would have plenty of vegetables on the table. Guess that made the times we spent doing thing together very enjoyable and memorable. I try to do as many things as possible with my son as he grows up, so he can have a lot of memories to look back on someday as well. jerry wrote on Saturday, January 06, 2001 (PST): Great story. Your dad is certianly an example of a self made man. Starting from a humble begining, and making a successful life and creating a loving family. I grew up on a farm and am guilty of making life tough for visiting city kids. I now regret the way I treated people in the past. Your father proves, you dont have to be born on a farm to learn the work. Mike wrote on Sunday, January 07, 2001 (PST): What a great story...kept me in awe all the way. Our parents are great teachers with giving us experience on the farm. I know a lot of us learned driving tractors before the pickups and cars. Thanks for sharing your story !! B.L.Barfield,Jr. wrote on Sunday, January 07, 2001 (PST): Mr.Michaels; I would really appreciated it so much if you would E-mail me. This story is so much like me and my Daddy,the 8N,the love of the machinery and the lessons of life from a person that loved his children. I have things I need to tell you. My E-mail address is . I'll be waiting for your response. Yours Truely; B.L.Barfield,Jr. dave wrote on Monday, January 08, 2001 (PST): What a very nce story it warmed my heart on this january morning in Iowa. I have my dad's "H" Farmall and many memories thar go with it. I think it is very hard for some to understand how you can have such feelings for a hunck of steel. lp wrote on Tuesday, January 09, 2001 (PST): I enjoyed your article or story. Both my parents are gone on to be with the lord and I too have some fond memories of them. We had a small farm and had many day filled with worries and hurt but we always loved each other and helped each other out in the end. One thing was for sure we never went to bed hungry. Paul Fox wrote on Wednesday, January 10, 2001 (PST): An excellent story. It has a lot of parallels with my life, and really touched me. Thanks for sharing with us. Orrin Stevens wrote on Friday, January 12, 2001 (PST): Great story and very meaningful to me. My dad went to Cornell(in agr. 1921-25) as did most of my family and I grew up on my mom's homestead in summers in Canandaigua NY in the finger lakes. Loved the story as I lost my dad when I was 10 and in some ways am still @ 65 looking for him! E BREWER wrote on Friday, January 12, 2001 (PST): TOUCHING STORY Tom Detweiler wrote on Friday, January 12, 2001 (PST): A Beautiful story! My compliments to you, and to your Dad, who taught you so much. What a marvelous, self-sacrificing generation of Americans we are descended from! We owe it to them to keep our country as independent as possible, so we ourselves can be. I loved this story and will share it with others, if you don't mind. James H Borders SR (Tractorboy) wrote on Saturday, January 13, 2001 (PST): What a great story. Just goes to say that family does count thru the good and bad times . Keep on doing just like you are and never forget those memories with your Dad. Pat Browning wrote on Saturday, January 13, 2001 (PST): Very well done -- it is always a nice touch to read about the bond of love between a man and his father. David Gray wrote on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 (PST): I enjoyed your story so much I hated for it to end! I have similar memories of my youth, and guess I should write them down sometime. Though they don't seem exciting to me, they may give pause to others. Your story will give guidance to many about how to treat and work with life. Enjoy your remaining life as much! Gary wrote on Thursday, January 25, 2001 (PST): I thought this article was great and it brought back many good memories. I had a very similiar story which I would like to share with the author if he would contact me. Mike Hills wrote on Sunday, January 28, 2001 (PST): This is my first response to anybody. My dad had me drive the Ford 8n/9n (actually coast) down the ramp of the barn when I was 4 or 5 . We left the farm a little while after that , 1951 I think . the rest of my kid farm experiences were picking rocks and baling hay in Wakeshma township, Michigan, for farmers in the area.There is a story about dad and the Oliver 88 I witnessed back then,but I've gone on too long. I really enjoyed your story. My dad could do anything too. I own a 54 AC B and 39IHC M, both waiting for snow to leave and the Sun to come out Gordon Reese wrote on Tuesday, January 30, 2001 (PST): I only wish true life accounts such as this article could take the place of television for the sake of the younger generation. Your account brought tears to my eyes. Richard Connor wrote on Sunday, February 25, 2001 (PST): What a tutching story. Im still misty eyed as I write this. There must be many who share your memmories of Dads now gone, as do I. My father wasnt an educated man, at least in the formal sense. He just seemed to be able to figure a way to get done what ever the job. But thats my storie, yours sent me into time travel. Thanks so very very much. Richard bcPA wrote on Friday, October 19, 2001 (PDT): I really enjoyed this story. I believe the author would really enjoy buying and restoring a 8n. Terry Nelson wrote on Thursday, February 28, 2002 (PST): Joe, Thanks for sharing your wonderful story with us. Hopefully, it is a story without end.... Hal/WA wrote on Thursday, February 28, 2002 (PST): Beautiful article. I feel so lucky to have had a Dad who really loved me and taught me so many things. I miss him every day and probably always will. Thank you for writing. Bus Driver wrote on Thursday, February 28, 2002 (PST): Thanks for sharing. Worked today on settling my Mother's estate in the house that I helped build in 1947. Let's be sure we leave some good stories worth sharing with those who follow us. Alan wrote on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 (PST): Wow Joe! This story took me away. This was a fine tribute to your dad, and to your own life and family. These tales are the roots of America. swms301 wrote on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 (PST): Great story. Evryone kid needs to have that farm relative to visit to learn about life. Lewie wrote on Thursday, January 12, 2006 (PST): A Very nice story. jb wrote on Thursday, January 12, 2006 (PST): Great article Joe. You tell a story very well. k. w johnson wrote on Thursday, January 12, 2006 (PST): great story! really enjoyed it, thanks d taylor wrote on Thursday, March 02, 2006 (PST): fascinating would like to read some more i have nothing to do with farming but ilove the countryside and what goes on around it best wishes from dave. england Nelson Hufford wrote on Monday, October 23, 2006 (PDT): Quite a piece of work. Reading it let old memories surface that I hadn't thought of for quite a time. All I can say is thnks C. L. Standley wrote on Monday, February 12, 2007 (PST): Joe, that was truly a wonderful story. What a great tribute to your dad. I lost my father at age 46 when I was 17. Even though I am almost seventy years old, I have missed him more the last few years than at any time since. I was raised on a rice farm on the Texas Gulf Coast. I drove my first tractor solo, a 1942 John Deere Model D, when I was five years old. Dad was on a homemade drag right behind the tractor and I m sure, the tractor was in first gear. A year later, when I was six, I would occasionally drive one of the Model D s across the field from one place to another, but I was not allowed to pull anything behind the tractor for several years. Recently, I have began to put down on paper, some of my experiences while growing up on a farm. Thank you for your story. JMS/MN wrote on Monday, February 12, 2007 (PST): I agree that it is a nice story, but go back to the Depression years- 1935. How many could get any education beyond grade school Going to Cornell - only the privileged. They were lucky- certainly not typical. My Dad went to 8th grade, with one year of Business College , circa 1924. Mom went through 9th grade. Had to get up early Complaining about having to milk cows by hand NO MILKING MACHINES WERE AVAILABLE THEN for the average farmer. Shovel manure out of the gutter No sympathy or tears for what was standard practice, since barn cleaners were not yet INVENTED! Barn cleaners came about two decades later, and most didn t have them until another decade! Many farm kids of the Depression were farmed out to neighbors when they were 14 years old- Just for room and board, and the parents did not have to feed them- no pay- for the winter. Despite the other comments from non-farmers or wannabe s- reality check is different. None would have enough gonads to do what their ancestors did. Tony wrote on Monday, February 12, 2007 (PST): What a great article-Thanks OlMax wrote on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 (PST): Great story. All of who were able to be trained by a good father are really lucky. I was a tag-a-long child, being the youngest of four boys. It was an honor to do grown-up chores on the farm. My father was 50 plus years old when I was born so I was raised almost like a grandchild. No swearing, belittling others, always see the good side of a person. One memory I have is of Dad repermanding me when I was smarting off about the way we were doing something. He asked simply when did I get so smart. It put me in my place and I knew he meant it to teach me, not to degrade. We were lucky to be raised by such men. BraveDave wrote on Thursday, February 12, 2009 (PST): What a wonderful article! It took me back a few years...Thank you Steve wrote on Saturday, February 12, 2011 (PST): Great story both of my grandparents had farms in Sullivan county NY and took in borders even moving into an outbuilding and renting their own rooms out. I still live nearby and Mom still on part of one of the farms. My Dad was a logger and sawyer with his own mill and we grew-up in the woods and mill. So I know the Catskill Mts very well having logged, hunted, fished, hiked and skiied the area all my life. Your family in the city coming to the country mine in the country having gotten out of the city a generation or two sooner. Bruce Holtzman wrote on Saturday, February 12, 2011 (PST): Thanks for the great story. It reminded me of the times I spent with my Dad working on the farm and riding on the tractor with him. Spent many hours on the tool box of an old Allis Chalmers WD riding with my Dad. Jake Wedemeyer wrote on Sunday, February 13, 2011 (PST): Very touching article that grabbed my interest. Ironically the author lives close to me. The farmers who took the time to teach us are invaluable and I am forever appreciative. It is now our turn to pass it down. Thank you very much for taking the time to write such a touching article and remind me of my father and the farmers who patiently showed me the ropes. lee wrote on Friday, March 15, 2019 (PDT): Rural life and family - that is what life is about. Nearly brought a tear to my eye too. I liked the bird story. Fantastic story, I am glad I did not miss this one. Rodney Williams wrote on Thursday, October 10, 2019 (PDT): Thank you for taking the time to write about your father, his experiences and yours. I would like to encourage you to do more writing. I enjoyed it a great deal, GOD BLESS YOU, AND YOURS Rod Gary Mitchell wrote on Saturday, March 14, 2020 (PDT): Wonderful biography. Steve Couvillion wrote on Friday, October 09, 2020 (PDT): Nice article that would make your Dad proud EdinKS wrote on Sunday, October 10, 2021 (PDT): Joe, what a story! I enjoyed it from start to finish! After 75 trips around the sun, I also have some great memories of my dad and my mom and family and friends, that I need to write about one of these days. I hope I can do it as eloquently as you have! Thank you Joe! EdinKS

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