Century-Old Truck Comes Full Circle
“As a kid back in the late 1940’s, I learned how to drive in a 1919 All American truck that my dad got in trade from two neighbors for hay,” says retired Ill. farmer Stewart Young. “When he sold the truck in 1959, I told him that someday I’d sure like to get it back. It took more than 50 years, but now it’s in my shed.”
Young’s century-old piece of history was built in Chicago. The one-ton chassis has a channel iron frame and it’s powered by the original Herschell Stillman engine, which was made in New York. “With solid rubber tires on wood wheels supported by a few leaf springs, it wasn’t very comfortable to drive,” Young says, “but it served its purpose on our farm.”
Young’s dad grew tomatoes, and he used the truck to haul them to market. “If the truck was loaded, the 45-hp. engine had a tough time making it up Pope Creek Hill into town,” Young says with a laugh. “I used it to haul corn and feed to my 4-H pigs that we raised about a half-mile from our farm. As long as the road and field were dry, no problems. With a little moisture on the ground, the truck didn’t go anywhere.”
Young says the vehicle is basically in original condition, except for the battery and electric starter that he added recently. “My shoulder was too weak to crank the ring gear, so the electric starter is a nice addition.”
The floorboards and running boards are still the original oak and Young says the hood has a few dents from kids who played on it at one time. The previous owner painted it original orange for the Viola, Ill. Centennial.
The bed has wooden flooring with a multi-purpose 8-way box. Racks fold up halfway for hauling pigs or other small livestock and full height for hauling cattle. It can also be used as a grain box. Young says the operator station is far from comfortable, with a lightly padded bench seat and a one position steering wheel. “Pushing a pedal on the floor moves a rod to engage the mechanical drum brakes on the rear wheels. The vacuum horn is activated by pulling a rope and a kill switch stops the engine.” The headlights are kerosene lamps, and a dashboard sticker warns ‘this warranty will be rescinded if the vehicle is overloaded, and you go over 20 mph’.
“I drive the truck in parades and people get a big kick out of seeing something this old,” Young says. He’s been fascinated with old trucks for years and has learned that 29 companies began building trucks in Chicago from 1900 to 1910 and another 40 started in the next decade. “By the end of 1920, nearly 50 of those companies had closed down.
Young says he’s been told there are only five All Americans still running in the U.S. “So mine’s quite valuable, especially to our family. My son and grandson think it’s a really special vehicle because grandpa and great-grandpa owned it, so it’ll definitely stay in our family.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Stewart Young, P.O. Box 561, Viola, Ill. 61486.
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Century-Old Truck Comes Full Circle “As a kid back in the late 1940’s I learned how to drive in a 1919 All American truck that my dad got in trade from two neighbors for hay ” says retired Ill farmer Stewart Young “When he sold the truck in 1959 I told him that someday I’d sure like to get it back It took more than 50 years but now it’s in my shed ” Young’s century-old piece of history was built in Chicago The one-ton chassis has a channel iron frame and it’s powered by the original Herschell Stillman engine which was made in New York “With solid rubber tires on wood wheels supported by a few leaf springs it wasn’t very comfortable to drive ” Young says “but it served its purpose on our farm ” Young’s dad grew tomatoes and he used the truck to haul them to market “If the truck was loaded the 45-hp engine had a tough time making it up Pope Creek Hill into town ” Young says with a laugh “I used it to haul corn and feed to my 4-H pigs that we raised about a half-mile from our farm As long as the road and field were dry no problems With a little moisture on the ground the truck didn’t go anywhere ” Young says the vehicle is basically in original condition except for the battery and electric starter that he added recently “My shoulder was too weak to crank the ring gear so the electric starter is a nice addition ” The floorboards and running boards are still the original oak and Young says the hood has a few dents from kids who played on it at one time The previous owner painted it original orange for the Viola Ill Centennial The bed has wooden flooring with a multi-purpose 8-way box Racks fold up halfway for hauling pigs or other small livestock and full height for hauling cattle It can also be used as a grain box Young says the operator station is far from comfortable with a lightly padded bench seat and a one position steering wheel “Pushing a pedal on the floor moves a rod to engage the mechanical drum brakes on the rear wheels The vacuum horn is activated by pulling a rope and a kill switch stops the engine ” The headlights are kerosene lamps and a dashboard sticker warns ‘this warranty will be rescinded if the vehicle is overloaded and you go over 20 mph’ “I drive the truck in parades and people get a big kick out of seeing something this old ” Young says He’s been fascinated with old trucks for years and has learned that 29 companies began building trucks in Chicago from 1900 to 1910 and another 40 started in the next decade “By the end of 1920 nearly 50 of those companies had closed down Young says he’s been told there are only five All Americans still running in the U S “So mine’s quite valuable especially to our family My son and grandson think it’s a really special vehicle because grandpa and great-grandpa owned it so it’ll definitely stay in our family ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Stewart Young P O Box 561 Viola Ill 61486
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