The Half Century of Progress took place from Aug. 27-30 at the Rantoul Airport and former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Ill. At this show, one tractor had some Minneapolis Moline history that was pretty special.

Many brands had tents at the show depicting their tractors and history, and the 1949 MM UT LP was one of them. This tractor not only represented the Minneapolis Moline brand, but was part of the story of the Shaff Implement Co.

Eric Evans, a salesman for Shaff, was sharing memorabilia from the dealership, which is celebrating 75 years in business. "Lawrence Shaff was the original owner. He established a dealership in rural Urbana, four miles north of Mayville, Illinois. He has passed on, but his family still owns the business," Eric explained.

Shaff Implement sold Minneapolis Moline and New Idea both. There are two Shaff locations, besides the one in rural Urbana; the Shaff family also purchased a Ford New Holland dealership because it had Versatile.

"Their country store had Versatile, and this was a way to expand, and that is how the Shaff Machine Company came about," Eric said.

Sadly, he said after 2014 Shaff Implement no longer sells AGCO because the principal dealer passed away. "We deal now primarily with Versatile, New Holland tractors and tillage equipment for Kuhn, Krause to Salford. Randy Osterbur is our general manager and Paul Duitsman is our assistant manager. I am a salesman and work out of both locations."

The MM 1949 UT LP on display had been sold from Shaff. An original Shaff sign was displayed in front of the tractor; after Lawrence, the UT was passed on to Dick Kirby who lived next door to the dealership. Eventually the tractor was purchased by Dennie and Julia Happ.

Dennie said almost all his equipment has come from Shaff and he was a great admirer of this local company. Recently Dennie’s son, Dion, bought this tractor that has so much local MM history.

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.