The magnificent fall-drenched Ozarks countryside that surrounds Jeff and Charlyce Ruth’s Rogersville, Mo., home serves as the perfect backdrop for Jeff’s backyard collection of vintage tractors that he marveled over as a youth.
Jeff is a director of the Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association Branch 16. This past September he was recognized for all of his hard work restoring, preserving and sharing his love of tractors by being inducted into the Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association National Hall of Fame. This prestigious recognition is given to members who have made significant contributions to the collection, preservation and exhibition of antique tractors, engines and equipment.
Jeff was fortunate to spend his early years on a farm in Iowa, where he developed an appreciation for vintage tractors.
“My father used John Deere tractors to bale hay, so I developed my love of all things green at an early age,” he explained. “We also spent a lot of time attending tractor and steam engine shows.”
“In the tractor world, Jeff is a John Deere man,” said fellow club member Rick McKinnis.
Jeff’s fascination with tractors began around the age of 5 when his father placed him on a John Deere H and taught him how to drive it. From then on, there was no stopping him.
Today, Jeff works full-time at the Springfield-Branson National Airport and in his spare time, he works in his shop keeping his tractors and steam engines running. His substantial collection keeps him busy with upkeep and maintenance alone. He is very involved with EDGE&TA Branch 16, the Ozarks Steam Engine Association, the Heart of the Ozarks Model T Club and he is also the show director for the Ozark SteamORama tractor and steam engine show in Republic, MO.
“I enjoy this hobby because it preserves farming history with the old tractors and equipment,” he said. “I also enjoy sharing the hobby with friends that also collect and restore equipment.”
Over the years, Jeff’s collection of vintage tractors has grown to include Farmalls, Case and Massey-Harris in addition to his John Deere. His collection has expanded to include gas engines, steam engines and a 1918 Rumely Oil Pull. He has about 18 vintage tractors in his collection that he takes to shows like FarmFest, the Cabool Tractor Show, the Ozark Empire Fair and Ozark SteamORama, just to name a few.
The Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association started in 1957 with 26 members. Today there are 9,000 plus members. EDGE&TA’s purpose is to stimulate interest in collecting, restoring, preserving and exhibiting gasoline and oil engines, gas/diesel and steam tractors, power driven farm machinery and any other farm equipment of historical value.
To promote fellowship among the branches and members EDGE&TA holds their national show, hosted by one or more branches is yearly.
Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association – Branch 16 of Southwesten Missouri was started in 1971 in Ash Grove, Mo.
The first meeting was held on Nov. 23, 1971 in the home of John Berry. There was 6-inches of snow on the ground and it was 4 degrees below zero that night. Thirteen people in attendance and coincidentally, that was the exact number needed to become a branch.
On Dec. 17, 1971, the local organization received its charter from the national association. From that cold night in 1971, they have grown to 150 members. They have their show every year in conjunction with the Ozarks Steam Engine Association.
The Gas Club built a pavilion on the grounds for the enjoyment of both clubs. In the mid-late 1980s they met at a bank in Republic, Mo. After quickly outgrowing the room at the bank, they moved to the Republic Library, then the Senior Center in Billings, Mo., and now meet at the Library Center in Springfield, Mo., the first Saturday of the month.
