whweldit Posted April 5 Posted April 5 - he would be 103 today. Local farmer. Worked for him when I was in high school. At graduation he made me an offer to join him. Grew sweet potatoes as main crop. For several years he also kept 12 to 15 sows. Finally quit that and just grew potatoes. Following service as a MP in ww2 he came home, married and farmed. He and his wife never had any children. They are both gone now. I called them my adopted parents. Told everyone I was lucky enough to have 2 sets of parents. They were great to work with and be with. He loved to quail hunt and fox hunt. Was a man of few words but when he spoke, it paid to listen. Was very wise. This drawing was made by one of the workers we hired to ride the plant setter. She took a picture looking up at him from the setter and did the drawing from that. She and her sister worked for us in the summer while going to college. Both very talented. The one that did this drawing teaches music at a college Missouri. Happy birthday Jack! 23 Quote
whweldit Posted April 5 Author Posted April 5 Should add. In 1986 he was ready to slow down and basically retire. Seasonal Labor was becoming a problem. He had 2 nephews farming together and was not working out. I got a chance to go to the county vocational center and teach welding. Nephew went to farming jacks land. I continued to help jack in his very small crop when I could and did not charge him. It was kind of funny the way we worked things out thru the years. He bought 2 new tractors in 1977/78. I bought one in 78. Wound up I drove his actually more than he did and he drove mine more than I did. He got to enjoy many years doing what he wanted to. Love to fish and deer hunt also. Was in his own world when he was in the woods just watching. Miss him and his wife daily and especially in spring and fall when we were at our busiest time. 9 Quote
CRVB91 Posted April 6 Posted April 6 What a lovely post, its always refreshing to see someone appreciating and remembering others. I think some of us are fortunate in our lifetimes, to meet specific people who have a positive influence on us, the way we think, the things we learn and develop interests in - often they guide us in directions we didnt know we could or would go, and there is something really beautiful in that. I am fortune enough to have a few of these people myself, and even more fortunate to have not lost them yet, I will continue to cherish them. Seems you were lucky to have known him though, so happy birthday Jack. 7 Quote
whweldit Posted April 6 Author Posted April 6 We grew 75-80 acres. LOT of manual labor involved. During setting season of may thru June most days we started at 7 am and quit at dark. If weather put us behind we have set plants until 10 pm. In the fall a normal day started by 7 am and if it was a good day if we finished up by 10 pm. Generally took until then to get the days harvest hauled in and stacked in house. Then load the trailers and trucks with enough crates for the next day diggings. We use square crates that weighed around 60 lbs with fresh from field potatoes. Quote
Lars (midessa) Posted April 6 Posted April 6 4 hours ago, acem said: Great story. I love sweet potatoes. Have a sweet potato in the oven right now! Quote
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