The Old John Deere Tractor

I remember spending summer vacations up North in my youth, and riding on the fender of my Grandpa’s old John Deere tractor.  I remember learning how to steer that old green and yellow tractor when I was very young, long before I ever learned how to steer a car.

My dad did some research and emailed me some information about the old Nye Farm John Deere tractor.  Back in 1940, brothers Carl and Mort Nye purchased a brand new John Deere Model H cultivator tractor from McDowell Implements in Rudyard, Michigan for the grand sum of $650.

After many years of faithful service working the Nye Farm, located one half mile north of Hessel, the old John Deere tractor was replaced with a new Ford tractor in 1976.  Carl Nye then gave the John Deere tractor to his nephew, Louis Nye, of Tustin, Michigan.  Over the years Louis Nye completely restored the old John Deere tractor to its original condition.  The picture above is Louis Nye with the old John Deer in Tustin, MI.

On September 18, 2009, Louis Nye drove the fully restored John Deere tractor across the Mackinac Bridge, in a parade of vintage tractors sponsored by the Great Lakes 2 Cylinder Club, of which Louis is a member.  One of 860 participating vintage tractors, the old Nye Farm antique John Deere tractor ran straight and true, completing the trip across the Mackinac Bridge at age 69 years.

Labels: Family, Thoughts