Bob Kerr

[msb]

Don't think we have ever met. I worked for Jim Eusey after high school. Looking back, I would have drove the mile and a half west and worked for your dad. I would have learned a lot more. Your dad has a knack for teaching.I went to him when I had a problem I couldn't solve.I remember he had a Wisconsin engine that he could start with his foot.
Jim Eusey had such a large ego, he didn't want you do do anything but grunt work.Had to quit him when I fixed a car that he couldn't fix and the owner rode him really hard over that. I later worked for Jerry Aldereman Ford and from there, I went to Reynolds where I got an excellent 30 day schooling on the New Generation Deere tractors. Ran the diesel room there for several years until I started farming full time.
Bought a couple wagons I think your dad built for Albert Steinmeier ?-We lived on 75th st. on the Sadlier farm from 1953 to 1963. I was the Castleton Fire Dept until about 1966.

 

[Bob Kerr]

Ok so you are one of the few people who acually knows where Allisonville was! I was a rug rat in the early 60s but always liked to go to Dads shop or run around on the farm we lived in then. his 28 chevy truck was in the shop back then with the cab set back on the frame, It still looks the same as it did back then! I suppose you knew the Frankenburgers, Jimmy and Johnny. They worked for Dad for a while and lived in the shack next to the shop. I think I remember Eusey, had a shop in Castleton?. Boy that was way back! Was the farm you lived in the first one east of Allisonville Rd? I remember The barn caught fire and Dad and I went.

 

[msb]

We lived a mile south of Castleton on 75th. St.Farm with the white board fence.Firtst place I farmed.Don't remember a barn burning, but was on the run when the gasoline tanker burned at Aville.
Helped out Art Pollad some on the Ruddle farm. I ran around with Johnny Frankenburger a bit.Nice kid.I still remember the truck in your dad's shop.Neat old garage. Dick Beaver(grampa of a close buddy of mine) once ran it before even I came along.

Was trying to remember who ran the Texaco there at Aville. Had a daughter that drowned in White River on her wedding night, I believe.

Was at the Kerr farm sale. Can't remember what I bought, if anything. Good friend of Bill Tyner. Probably saw you a few times, I imagine. We will have to talk some day.bob

 

[Bob Kerr]

Was your place over next to new 37? The barn that burned was just up the hill on the south side of 75th east of Allisonville by about a 1/4 mile. I may have it mixed up, but I think the farm was being subdivided and the old house and barn were still there with tennents living in it. Bunch of wild kids living there. I think it was there that a kid poured gas on a cats tail, lit it, and the cat ran for the barn. I think Casleton was there as well as Washington twsp. It was sometime around 66-69. I do recall something about someones daughter drowning. The fellow who had the Texaco, was his name Tom? Was the Texaco bought out by esso or exon? I am drawing a blank on which corner it was on. Funny but the old town Allisonville almost had more gas stations than houses! Dad had a Marathon, there was another Marathon at the corner, the Shell, and the Esso or Exon which became the oil change place later. Johnny is still around and doing fine. We still keep in contact with them. I saw Roy last fall. I remember the day Jimmy left for Vietnam. Even though I wasn"t in school yet, he was my bud! He is doing ok also. I have an old grinder from Dads old shop here in my barn and still use it. It came with the shop when Dad bought it. Old as the hills! It is a Luther grinder company machine mounted on a board with an open frame electric motor possibly from the 1890-1910s but the motor is a little newer, but not much. Tell Bill I said howdy! You guys let me know when there is a show or plow day up that way and I bring up the 51 Farmall H.