American Thresherman Association

ATA History

The American Thresherman Association (ATA) was organized in March of 1959. The following people attended the first organizational meeting on October 15, 1959 at Brownstone, Illinois which led to the creation of the ATA:
	• George F. Bahre	Coulterville, IL
	• D.R. Bartimus	Beecher City, IL
	• Clem Baudison	Pinckneyville, IL
	• Frederick Blauth	Tower Hill, IL
	• Thomas Doty	Beecher City, IL
	• W. Wilson Doty	Beecher City, IL
	• Albert Drexelius	Bethalto, IL
	• Ralph Fisher	Assumption, IL
	• Adolf Grosse	Columbia, IL
	• L.R. Hampsmire	Decatur, IL
	• Rudie Lilienkamp	Hoyleton, IL
	• Everett F. Pyle	St. Jacob, IL
	• R.B. Reams	Taylorville, IL
	• Amox Rixman	Oklahoma City, OK
	• Ben Steinbrook	Alton, IL
	• Carl Steinbrook	Alton, IL
	• Clint Virgin	Belleville, IL

At the annual meeting in 1962, Amos Rixman commented that the Association "organized three years ago this month for the purpose of furnishing some enjoyment to its members and to be the beginning of something very worthwhile." Already in its brief life the Association had earned such a reputation that three towns vied for the chance to become the permanent site for the show. The Pinckneyville Chamber of Commerce invided the ATA with open arms and pledges of support, and the Perry County community was chosen over Mascoutah and Highland for the 1962 show site.