February 2013 Honorary Member Spotlight - J.E. Porter CO. Inside this issue: Member spotlight 1 Porter hay trolleys 5 Shirt orders 7 Show info 10 Show schedule 11 Notes from Chief 12 Joseph E. Porter was born in Brown County, Ohio May 1, 1831 of Irish lineage. Although little is written of his early years; it is presumed he grew up in a rural environment. We know he arrived in Ottawa, Illinois in 1852 and worked as a clerk in a mercantile store. Given his inventive nature this work did not prove a satisfactory pursuit and in 1854 he applied himself in the interest of daguerreotype art and apparently made a significant contribution to the process of photography as we knew it in the 20 th century. It is written that in 1856, on a visit to his father s farm in Ohio while helping to bring in the hay, it struck him that the pitchfork was a rather archaic means of accomplishing the task. It is said he applied his innovative expertise to the effort; eventually resulting in the Porter Hay Carrier which would quickly bring him national acclaim. Sounds like a most romantic inception to an enterprise! Perhaps a bit more simplified, since we don t have a lot of specifics including a timeline on just when Mr. Porter attained some of these accomplishments. The story begins to sound much like that we ve read of other talented and motivated farm boys such as Mssrs. Ferris, James, Louden and the Myers brothers. It would be helpful to date the first Porter patent as we know the Myers were marketing successful hay carriers probably by the mid-1870s, Mr. Ferris in 1883 and Mr. James didn t come on the scene until 1906. We know Mr. Louden s first carrier patent was 1867. If young Mr. Porter s initiative was challenged back in 1856, as is written, surely he had some market success in the ten years up to Mr. Louden s patent? Without more research, we will have to let our imagination wander! We do know that Joseph Porter returned to Ottawa and was married in 1860, subsequently rearing eight children. A 1900 history of Ottawa speaks quite highly of the man No manufacturer or business man in this community has shown a record of more enterprise, grit and success than Joseph E. Porter, head of the J.E. Porter Company. Again, specifics are slight as to exactly when his manufacturing growth blossomed; but his bold, diverse business nature is evident throughout Ottawa s early history. His factory was constructed on the northeastern corner of the city with immediate rail access. At some early point in his ventures he had purchased a pump factory in West Chicago and moved it to Ottawa and by 1900 Porter was one of the largest pump works in Illinois; over 200 different styles of force and lift pumps. James Porter was one of eight original investors who organized the Inland Steel Company and erected a large rolling mill at Chicago Heights. He served as President for four years and was a prominent board member in the thriving enterprise thereafter. Cont. page 2
Page 2 J. E. Porter cont. As with many of the hay carrier inventors we have researched, J.E. Porter appears also to have been a full-line barn equipment provider. The company catalog documents not only a complete array of hay, litter and merchandise carriers, forks, pulleys and related sundries; but stanchions, stalls, water cups, etc. as well. His two-beaded steel track and carriers received the highest award at the World s Fair in 1893. The Porter line of barn door track and hangers seems even more substantial than many of the other suppliers of the time and included the popular Hummer style. It is not known which came first, but Mr. Porter appears to have had much success with his development of a two-row horse drawn corn planter. In 1900 he was credited with having one of the best planters yet manufactured - very simple construction with fewer working parts than many others yet doing perfect work. Porter also produced stationary-type hay and straw baling presses for the farmer as well as posthole augers. Cont. page 3 1906 1892 1894 1915
Page 3 J. E. Porter cont. By 1900 his son, Lincoln Ewing Porter was deeply involved in the operations of this dynamic enterprise. Their modern factory was heated by hot air produced by steam from the Buffalo Forge Company s system of heating and motive power was provided by a huge Corliss engine. Joseph Porter, an inventor of national reputation and considered to be a pioneer in hay carrier production, died in Ottawa on September 21, 1902; but the J.E. Porter Company would enjoy at least two more decades of continued success. Perhaps company managers were able to foresee the impending passing of the need for barn trolleys as progress in hay handling continued to evolve; or perhaps it was just their good business sense to diversify; at any rate it appears sometime after the turn of the century the J.E. Porter Company became quite heavily invested in production of children s playground equipment. Like William Louden, over in Fairfield, Iowa, Porter too had seen the future in overhead monorail material handling systems and by WW I was heavily into that arena as well. More research is again required to perhaps document specifics; but it is written that in the 1920s Louden Machinery Company purchased the J.E. Porter Company. Since Louden had their own exclusive line of hay and barn equipments it is presumed this was the end of any Porter items of that type. Apparently the Porter company held a patent for a part which Louden felt was integral to the success of their overhead carrier systems and that was the impetus behind the ultimate buy-out of Porter. A post-ww I emphasis on improved children s health ensured a continued good market for playground equipment and Louden continued to market the successful Porter line of equipment into the 1950s; including the popular Whirl-A-Round. Thanks to Dennis McGrew for the Porter story and artwork. Thanks Dennis!
Page 4 J. E. Porter cont. 1881
Page 5 J. E. Porter cont. Various Porter carriers
Page 6 J. E. Porter cont. Various Porter carriers
Page 7 Shirt Stuff Designs are silk screened both sides. Light grey and sand color available. HATS Logo is stitched in an off white Men only this color. Mens or womens polo, logo is stitched on the front of shirt, 100% Cotton Sweatshirt as shown. Screens both sides. Same color as tee-shirts. Ladies 3/4 sleeve silk touch sport shirt. Colors as shown with stitching shown. 5 0z. 65/35 poly/cotton
Shirt stuff, cont. Shirt order details. Page 8 On page 9 of this newsletter is an order form. Print the form and fill it out. Make sure to pick the colors, sizes and quantities you want. Total it and mail the form to me with your money. Those of you who are attending the show, I will bring your orders to the show. Those of you not attending the show will need to pay for shipping. I will use priority mail boxes through the USPS. I have listed the prices for shipping based on how much you buy. Pay for what you think it will take. If you pay too much, I will refund you some money if I can use a smaller box. They have 3 sizes available: Small 5.5 x 8.5 x 1.75 ($5.20) tee shirt or hat or both Medium 11 x 8.5 x 5.5 ($11.35)sweatshirt and tee shirt, ect Large 12 x 12 x 5.5 ($15.30)several shirts and sweatshirt and hat, ect You get the idea. Like I said, if you pay too much postage, I will send money back. They do not allow me to have the boxes bulging, so keep that in mind. I will place one shirt order each year before the show. If there is a large enough demand, I can place a second order in the fall. Shirt orders must be received by March 25th. Left - Port Authority Right - Challenger Hooded soft shell jacket. Features: Water resistance breathable fabric Hood with drawstring Zippered sleeves vents Zippered chest and sleeve pockets Available in 3 colors Charcoal, Mineral Green, Black, Work style jacket Features: Nylon shell Poly filled body with fleece lining for warmth Lined sleeves with adjustable cuffs Zippered exterior and interior pockets Interior cell phone pocket Available in 4 colors Khaki, Steel Grey, Black, Hunter green
Shirt Order Form Page 9 Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: (Must Have) Item Size Cost Color Quantity Total Hats $12.00 (page 8) Denim shirts S $22.00 Blue (page 9) M $22.00 L $22.00 XL $22.00 2X $23.00 3X $24.00 Polo Shirt S $20.00 Steel Grey (page 8) M $20.00 Khaki Heather L $20.00 Royal XL $20.00 Olive Green 2X $22.00 3X $23.00 Ladies cut polo shirt S $20.00 Steel Grey (page 8) M $20.00 Khaki Heather L $20.00 Royal XL $20.00 2X $22.00 Ladies shirt S $24.50 Black 3/4 sleeve M $24.50 Light Pink (page 8) L $24.50 White XL $25.50 2X $26.00 Sweatshirt S $16.00 Heather (page 8) M $16.00 Sand L $16.00 XL $16.00 2X $18.00 3X $19.00 T-Shirt S $12.00 Heather (page 8) M $12.00 Sand L $12.00 XL $12.00 2X $14.00 3X $15.00 Koozies Will be available at the show - Jackets (new) Challenger Jacket Port Authority S $71.00 S $55.00 Khaki Hooded soft shell M $71.00 M $55.00 Steel Gray L $71.00 L $55.00 Black Charcoal, Black XL $71.00 XL $55.00 Green Green 2XL $73.00 2XL $57.00 3XL $75.00 3XL $58.00 Postage (see page 8) Total including postage.
The North American Hay Tool Collectors Association Presents the 8th Annual Hay Tool Swap Meet Show Hosted by: Dale Smithhisler, Gary VanScyoc, Jerry Kamp, Gideon Troyer and Melvin Mast Where: Ashland County Fair Grounds 2042 Claremont Ave, Ashland, Ohio Watch for signs When: Thursday May 2nd and Friday May 3rd 2013 Time: May 2nd Set up, show, vend 8:00 am until? May 3rd, 8:00 until after auction Dinner and live auction Friday night Everyone is encouraged to bring items to show, sell and brag about. HOTEL INFORMATION Ashland Inn & Suites 419-281-8090 Holiday Inn Express 419-281-2900 Surrey Inn Hotel 419-289-7700 Days Inn 419-289-0101 Super 8 Motel 419-281-0567 Local B&B s available Breakfast and lunch available from local food vendor. Dinner Friday night. Directions Exit I-71 take Rt. 250 west. Exit Rt. 250 onto Rt. 42 South. Stay on Rt. 42 until you reach Baney Road. Turn right onto Baney Road. The first traffic light is at Claremont Ave, turn right. The fair grounds will be on your left. For more info. call Dale at 419-281-0748 Doug at 402-510-8845 Email:haytoolcollector@yahoo.com Featuring Canadian Hay Tools
Page 11 The North American Hay Tool Collectors Association Presents the 8th Annual Hay Tool Swap Meet Show Hosted by: Thursday May 2 7:30 Gates open for Vendor set up Kitchen opens 8:00 Gates open to all. Purchase dinner buffet tickets. (See food vendor) Sign in and check in auction items Set up displays 8:01 Swapping, selling, stealing, begging, whining, bragging, in general, do what we came to do 6:00 Show closes Friday May 3 7:30 Gates open for Vendors set up Kitchen opens 8:00 Gates open to all Check in auction items Set up displays 9:00 Day trippers depart 8:01 Swapping, selling, stealing, begging, whining, bragging, in general, do what we came to do Purchase dinner buffet tickets (see food vendor) 4:00 Auction item check in ends 4:00 Day trippers return 4:30 Dinner 6:00 Assemble at show building for meeting NAHTCA meeting Introductions 9th show location Changes 6:30 Auction starts? Show closes Saturday May 4 Dale Smithhisler, Gary VanScyoc, Jerry Kamp, Gideon Troyer and Melvin Mast Featuring: 7:30 Finalize your last deals and pack up. See you next year Featuring Canadian Hay Tools SHOW SCHEDULE
Page 12 North American Hay Tool Collectors Assoc. c/o Doug de Shazer 55005 897 Rd. Lot #8 Crofton, NE 68730 Phone: 402-510-8845 E-mail: haytoolcollector@yahoo.com Notes from the Chief Another year and another show is upon us. How many of you have not been to a show? Well, if not, let this be the year. For some of us it is a long trip, some of us not as long, but nonetheless it is worth the trip. There are many reasons to make the trip, if not just to see old friends, but to meet new ones. But there are other reasons as well. First - There are all the displays. The photos I take are just a small sampling of the items to look at. It is amazing how over the past few years how many more members are bringing display items. It is awesome to see, and can only be experienced in person. Second - The amount of education one can get by listening and talking to other members. What s that word? Oh yea, Priceless. Third - So much rare stuff shows up that we can only see in Barry s books, that it is truly a treat to see it in person Fourth - Spending money on rust. Is there anything better? Fifth - The auction is a blast and you can actually make money too. Huh, what a concept! Sixth - Get the wives away from home and enjoy a day trip with the other friends they have made with the group through the years. And last of all, seeing ME. Oh, I crack myself up. See you there. -Chief Quote of the day I didn t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you. Coming Events Le Sueur Pioneer Show & Swap Meet April 25-28 Le Sueur, MN NAHTCA Show May 2-4 Ashland, OH Technical Disclaimer This newsletter is intended to be informative, educational and fun! Material is believed to be accurate at time of printing and if not, we tried. Send us any corrections you feel necessary. Help make this newsletter a success. Thoughts I ve tried using give and take with my friends, but it never seems to work. I always do my part, but they eventually stop giving. True Story A mild-mannered man was tired of being bossed around by his wife so he went to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist said he needed to build his self-esteem, and so gave him a book on assertiveness, which he read on his way home. He had finished the book by the time he reached his house. The man stormed into the house and walked up to his wife. Pointing a finger in her face, he said, from how on, I want you to know that I am the man of this house, and my word is law! I want you to prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, and when I m finished eating, I expect a sumptuous dessert. Then, you are going to draw me a bath so I can relax. And when I am done with my bath, guess who s going to dress me and comb my hair? The funeral director, said the wife. Elvis and princess in search of candy.