Sylvester (Junior) Fosdick
Sylvester
(Jr.) Fosdick is our only director to be able to say he attended the first
Threshermen’s Show. He and his Dad helped organize this first show and
displayed their Steam Engine at this show. He continues to work and show at
present shows. Jr. has many hobbies as well as continues to farm near Forrest,
IL. It was his idea to organize and get our Antique Museum started. He also
restored and operates the little Diesel Passenger Train that gives people rides
at the park. Jr.’s Father built this 1/2 scale Case Steam Engine in the picture
above and completed it in 1978. Jr. proudly displays this engine at the
Reunion.
View Pontiac Daily Leader 2009 story: http://www.pontiacdailyleader.com/article/20090903/NEWS/309039958
Sylvester Fosdick Jr. is 2011 Thresher Parade grand Marshal - view story: http://www.pontiacdailyleader.com/article/20110831/NEWS/308319926
Thresher ceremony honors Fosdick -view story: http://www.pontiacdailyleader.com/article/20110902/NEWS/309029925
Sylvester Fosdick Jr. is 2011 Thresher Parade grand Marshal - view story: http://www.pontiacdailyleader.com/article/20110831/NEWS/308319926
Thresher ceremony honors Fosdick -view story: http://www.pontiacdailyleader.com/article/20110902/NEWS/309029925
President Joe Rittenhouse, right, presents Sylvester Junior
Fosdick with a plaque in recognition of his 30 years of service as a director
of the reunion.
Mr. Fosdick was honored for his 30 plus years as a director of the Central States Threshermens Reunion Thursday evening at their monthly meeting April 17, 2014.
Mr. Fosdick, now 82, was 19 years old when he drove one of his father's steam engines from their farm at Weston to Chautauqua Park in Pontiac for the first reunion in 1949.
Mr. Fosdick has attended every reunion since 1949 except for 2 years he served his country in the U.S. Army.
CENTRAL STATES THRESHERMEN'S REUNION 65 YEARS LATER.
Organized in 1948 called "Zehr's Central States Steam Engine, Thresher Historical Reunion, Inc." The first and second shows were held in Chautauqua Park, Pontiac, Illinois 1949-1950. The show moved to 4-H Park in 1951. By 1954 it had become knows as "Central States Threshermen's Reunion." In 1982 the board of directors purchased 40 acres of ground north of Pontiac on Route 23. In 1986 the show moved from 4-H Park to the new location.
Here are a few comments from Sylvester Jr. Fosdick.
After 65 years of being involved with the show I felt it was time to step aside from the Board, but will keep as active as I can with the show. I want to note that over the years there have been many ups and downs, but it kept growing to become what it is today. I was 19 years old at the first show and drove dad's Port Huron engine from Weston to Chautauqua Park. Uncle Sam drafted me into the Army in 1952 and did not see fit for me to return for two years. However, Sylvester Fosdick Sr. displayed the Port Huron engine at those shows and dad continued to be a part of the show until he died. Upon his death 30 years ago I was appointed to take his place on the board.
I want to say that I am very proud of what the show is today, and it has come about because of the many directors and volunteers who work together to make it what it has become. The Board today is one of the best that you could have. All put the 200% into it as well as many that help promote and do the work. It would take pages to put it all into print. Check the website and you will find records of the many things that have taken place over the years. I am happy to have been a part of the show for these many years. God Bless all who help keep this history of the past growing.
"Jr" Fosdick April 2014
vi
Mr. Fosdick was honored for his 30 plus years as a director of the Central States Threshermens Reunion Thursday evening at their monthly meeting April 17, 2014.
Mr. Fosdick, now 82, was 19 years old when he drove one of his father's steam engines from their farm at Weston to Chautauqua Park in Pontiac for the first reunion in 1949.
Mr. Fosdick has attended every reunion since 1949 except for 2 years he served his country in the U.S. Army.
CENTRAL STATES THRESHERMEN'S REUNION 65 YEARS LATER.
Organized in 1948 called "Zehr's Central States Steam Engine, Thresher Historical Reunion, Inc." The first and second shows were held in Chautauqua Park, Pontiac, Illinois 1949-1950. The show moved to 4-H Park in 1951. By 1954 it had become knows as "Central States Threshermen's Reunion." In 1982 the board of directors purchased 40 acres of ground north of Pontiac on Route 23. In 1986 the show moved from 4-H Park to the new location.
Here are a few comments from Sylvester Jr. Fosdick.
After 65 years of being involved with the show I felt it was time to step aside from the Board, but will keep as active as I can with the show. I want to note that over the years there have been many ups and downs, but it kept growing to become what it is today. I was 19 years old at the first show and drove dad's Port Huron engine from Weston to Chautauqua Park. Uncle Sam drafted me into the Army in 1952 and did not see fit for me to return for two years. However, Sylvester Fosdick Sr. displayed the Port Huron engine at those shows and dad continued to be a part of the show until he died. Upon his death 30 years ago I was appointed to take his place on the board.
I want to say that I am very proud of what the show is today, and it has come about because of the many directors and volunteers who work together to make it what it has become. The Board today is one of the best that you could have. All put the 200% into it as well as many that help promote and do the work. It would take pages to put it all into print. Check the website and you will find records of the many things that have taken place over the years. I am happy to have been a part of the show for these many years. God Bless all who help keep this history of the past growing.
"Jr" Fosdick April 2014
vi
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