History of the Tractor Club
History of the Montgomery County Antique Tractor and Engine Club
By Cleo G. Hogan, Founding President
A half dozen owners and exhibitors of vintage John Deere tractors around Sango, Tennessee, called the “Montgomery County Flatbelters”, desired to establish an antique tractor and engine show at Clarksville.
A meeting was called for January 14, 2001, at the Hogan Century Farm near Fredonia, home of Cleo Hogan that was attended by a dozen collectors from Montgomery, Cheatham and Dickson Counties, representing a variety of tractor brands. The group decided to plan a fall show in Clarksville. A proposal of sponsorship was received from the Hilldale Kiwanis Club who became our show partner for the next ten years.
Initial officers elected were: Cleo Hogan, President; Raymond Bagwell, Vice President; Steve Fambrough*, Secretary; David Nussbaumer, Jr., Treasurer; Vice President (Tractors), Ed Rawlings; Vice President (Engines), William “Bud” Wilson; Vice President (Activities), Franklin Koellein, Jr.; and Directors at Large: Richard Albright, Ross Bagwell, Mayhew Koellein, Bill Farrell*, Clint Reynolds, Derrick Wilson, Ronnie Nicholson, Ron Toutges, Larry Robinson*, Carl Baldwin and Steve Bowman.
Clarksville Fairgrounds Park was secured as the show grounds, and a successful first show was held on September 22, 2001. The second annual show was expanded to a two-day show and included a tractor pulling contest. School students were invited to view the exhibit as a field trip on Friday, beginning with the second show, and busloads of students have attended each Friday show thereafter.
Raymond Bagwell became the President for 2003-04; Ron Toutges for 2005-06 and Ronnie Nicholson, for 2007-08. Raymond Bagwell again served one year in 2009; followed by Randy Bogard, 2010-11. Due to the conversion of the Clarksville Fairgrounds into a marina, the show moved in 2009 to the new 4-H and Montgomery County Cattlemen’s Association Show grounds near 1915 Rossview Road, off I-24, Exit 8.
International Harvester equipment was featured at the 2006 show that was attended by TN Chapter 9 of the IH Collectors Club; John Deere equipment was highlighted at the 2007 show; and Ford tractors were featured at the last Fairgrounds show in 2008. We welcome the national Leader Tractor Collectors Association in 2011.
Viewers at the 2008 last show at the Fairgrounds observed the Joe Blue* and Robin Blue 1938 Huber “Rotor Rack” 32” x 54” grain separator from Waverly, TN, powered by the Jackie Swan and Charlie Bumpus 22hp, 1924 Keck-Gonnerman steam traction engine with double cylinders, from Cross Plains, TN. The 2009 first show at the Rossview Road grounds was greeted by a torrential rain which dampened attendance and created a mud-bogging event. Fortunately, large tents had been erected before the rains came. Just in time for the 2011 show, the enormous 4-H and Cattlemen’s show barn has been partially completed and will be used.
Monthly meetings of the Montgomery County Antique Tractor and Engine Club, Inc. are held, usually on the third Sunday at 4pm, at the rear of the Montgomery County Agricultural Extension Service Bldg (formerly Cumberland Heights School), 130 Cumberland Heights Road. Refreshments are usually provided. Informal discussion ranges over a wide variety of subject, all related to the preservation of antique farm machinery, including blacksmithing practices. New members are cordially welcomed at any time, and it is not necessary to own equipment to become a member.
*Deceased
By Cleo G. Hogan, Founding President
A half dozen owners and exhibitors of vintage John Deere tractors around Sango, Tennessee, called the “Montgomery County Flatbelters”, desired to establish an antique tractor and engine show at Clarksville.
A meeting was called for January 14, 2001, at the Hogan Century Farm near Fredonia, home of Cleo Hogan that was attended by a dozen collectors from Montgomery, Cheatham and Dickson Counties, representing a variety of tractor brands. The group decided to plan a fall show in Clarksville. A proposal of sponsorship was received from the Hilldale Kiwanis Club who became our show partner for the next ten years.
Initial officers elected were: Cleo Hogan, President; Raymond Bagwell, Vice President; Steve Fambrough*, Secretary; David Nussbaumer, Jr., Treasurer; Vice President (Tractors), Ed Rawlings; Vice President (Engines), William “Bud” Wilson; Vice President (Activities), Franklin Koellein, Jr.; and Directors at Large: Richard Albright, Ross Bagwell, Mayhew Koellein, Bill Farrell*, Clint Reynolds, Derrick Wilson, Ronnie Nicholson, Ron Toutges, Larry Robinson*, Carl Baldwin and Steve Bowman.
Clarksville Fairgrounds Park was secured as the show grounds, and a successful first show was held on September 22, 2001. The second annual show was expanded to a two-day show and included a tractor pulling contest. School students were invited to view the exhibit as a field trip on Friday, beginning with the second show, and busloads of students have attended each Friday show thereafter.
Raymond Bagwell became the President for 2003-04; Ron Toutges for 2005-06 and Ronnie Nicholson, for 2007-08. Raymond Bagwell again served one year in 2009; followed by Randy Bogard, 2010-11. Due to the conversion of the Clarksville Fairgrounds into a marina, the show moved in 2009 to the new 4-H and Montgomery County Cattlemen’s Association Show grounds near 1915 Rossview Road, off I-24, Exit 8.
International Harvester equipment was featured at the 2006 show that was attended by TN Chapter 9 of the IH Collectors Club; John Deere equipment was highlighted at the 2007 show; and Ford tractors were featured at the last Fairgrounds show in 2008. We welcome the national Leader Tractor Collectors Association in 2011.
Viewers at the 2008 last show at the Fairgrounds observed the Joe Blue* and Robin Blue 1938 Huber “Rotor Rack” 32” x 54” grain separator from Waverly, TN, powered by the Jackie Swan and Charlie Bumpus 22hp, 1924 Keck-Gonnerman steam traction engine with double cylinders, from Cross Plains, TN. The 2009 first show at the Rossview Road grounds was greeted by a torrential rain which dampened attendance and created a mud-bogging event. Fortunately, large tents had been erected before the rains came. Just in time for the 2011 show, the enormous 4-H and Cattlemen’s show barn has been partially completed and will be used.
Monthly meetings of the Montgomery County Antique Tractor and Engine Club, Inc. are held, usually on the third Sunday at 4pm, at the rear of the Montgomery County Agricultural Extension Service Bldg (formerly Cumberland Heights School), 130 Cumberland Heights Road. Refreshments are usually provided. Informal discussion ranges over a wide variety of subject, all related to the preservation of antique farm machinery, including blacksmithing practices. New members are cordially welcomed at any time, and it is not necessary to own equipment to become a member.
*Deceased
History of the Tractor Club
