The Stauffenberg Family IH Collection

By Cindy Ladage The Half Century of Progress offers family time for the Stauffenberg family that farms near Kankakee, Illinois.. “The show was the best ever,” Darrell, Stauffenberg shared. “We brought 18 or 19 tractors all International Harvester. We had a big lineup by the IH tent.”

Among the tractors he brought to the show it included a Farmall 1566 and a 1206. What was special about this was that Darell had mini versions of these cool tractors on display beside them as well. “They drew a lot of eyes for sure,” Darrell said.

It was Kurt Smith, the owner of the Little Tractor Co that created the miniatures and had just finished the 1206 just before the Half Century of Progress. “I had the 1566 and miniature at the Red Power Show in DuQuoin,” Darell added.

The Stauffenberg family collects only International Harvester! “I was born and raised with a Super M. If it ain’t red, it stays in the shed. All I have are International Harvesters except for my John Deere lawn mowers,” Darrell added.

The Stauffenberg family farms 4500 acres raising corn, soybeans and wheat on their farm. Darrell said at the Half Century of Progress part of the fun was seeing the different machines plowing and working in the fields. Meeting the different people from different parts of the country, and even different countries was also part of the enjoyment.

This event is a family one for the Stauffenbergs. “All my grandkids and kids come. My wife didn’t come this year, but the whole family is into International Harvester,” Darrell shared.”The grandson’s usually wash the tractors to get them ready for the show. The next show, I’ll have a couple more tractors. There is one in the corner of the shed that needs worked on.”

He said it is a V8 1568 he hopes to get painted for the next Half Century show! For this one though he had a great time. “I just rode around on my Kawasaki Mule and liked to see everything.”

Still adding to his collection, Darrell said, “I can’t help it when a tractor follows me home. My wife Norma knows though she sees the checks at tax time.”

He said she questioned the checks for the Little Tractors, but he told her, “I had to have one for each great grandson, but today I got another one!”

Congratulations! This lucky man is surrounded by Stauffenbergs. “All my children live on the farm. I gave one each three and a half acres. I have two daughters and one son. I have eight grandkids and three great-grand sons.”

Together on the farm, together at the Half Century of Progress. The Stauffenberg family gathers to farm and for their hobby.. The Half Century appreciates their dedication and all the work they went to the share their collection with others!