Mikes Corner

Last month I wrote about John Froelich who was the father of \the modern tractor. That was not the end of Mr. Froelich as you will see in “The Rest of the Story”.

In 1894 when investors formed the Waterloo Gasoline Traction Company, John stayed just a short time and left in 1895. So, what does the inventor of the tractor do when he leaves the company. He keeps working and inventing. He moved his family to Dubuque where he worked with several companies who manufactured farm equipment. He worked at making their farm items better and suited to use with a tractor. He also invented the Froelich Neostyle Washer which brought him a very substantial income. This washer had a wheel to roll the clothes in and out of the wash tub and also had a wringer (hand crank style) to wring out the clothes. He then moved to St Paul, Mn with his new washer manufacturing and remained there until his death in 1933 at the age of 84.

John was just like the many members of our club who retire but do not quit working. We work (Spelled PLAY) with our tractors and farm implements, and look for new things to do with them and travel to see what others of our clan have in their backyards.