953 nut 55,205 #1 Posted May 19 Today’s letter is “Q” a quisitive man in Quincy began a quiet query for quality Quincy Tractor The Quincy Engine Company was named for its location, Quincy, PA, about twenty miles south-west of the WHCC Big Show location. During the second half of the nineteenth century this area had an abundance of small manufacturers of farm machinery and gasoline engines. Hardwood forests were plentiful and coal mining was nearby to feed the small foundries and blacksmith shops. Transportation was provided by the Cumberland Valley Rail Road to bring finished products to customers and a workforce of skilled European immigrants was available. John L. Metcalfe was born in England and immigrated to the United States as a young boy. In the 1850’s he and his wife settled in the town of Quincy, PA. Metcalfe started manufacturing and repairing grist mills, farm machinery and saw mills and started the Metcalf Manufacturing Company. In 1960 Metcalfe produced his first successful steam engine. Metcalf purchased the Quincy Foundry and Machine Shop and brought his son, John T. Metcalfe into the family business to assist him in 1868. He patented on April 16, 1872, the Excelsior Post Boring and Wood Sawing Machine. and invented their Centennial Thresher, Cleaner, and Bagger, which was patented June 12, 1877, the rights to which he sold to the Frick Company, owned by George Frick of nearby Waynesboro, PA. We will take a closer look at the Frick Company in a few days. By the early 1880’s a Metcalfe 25 HP steam engine furnishes power for an electric light station at the park at Williams Grove, PA. John T. Metcalfe concentrated his efforts on improvements to gasoline engines. In May of 1904, the Metcalfe Manufacturing Company suffered a fire which nearly destroyed the factory. Shortly after, the Geiser Company moved Metcalf Manufacturing Company to Greencastle in a building that they had purchased. John T. Metcalf remained in Quincy, salvaging what he could from the fire and in 1906, was joined by Alfred J. Miller and started the Quincy Engine Company. From 1906 to 1916 the company focused their efforts on building farm tractors. The 4,200-pound, six horsepower Quincy Tractor had chain-type steering, like a steam traction engine of the time. The radiator is water cooled. A circulation system sends water from the pipe through the screen to keep the engine cool. The platform where the tractor operator stands is made of oak. There are no records of quantity of tractors built. Although the company ceased operations in 1916, John T. Metcalfe wasn’t ready to quit. For the next 20 years, he worked alone in his own business repairing machines for others. 6 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,159 #2 Posted May 19 29 minutes ago, 953 nut said: A circulation system sends water from the pipe through the screen to keep the engine cool. I remember seeing one of these cooing systems at a Fawn Grove Olde Tyme Days many years ago. Living in SC Pa, I was surprised that I had never heard of Quincy, Pa. History | Quincy Township (quincytwp.org) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,205 #3 Posted May 19 7 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said: I remember seeing one of these cooing systems at a Fawn Grove Olde Tyme Days many years ago. Living in SC Pa, I was surprised that I had never heard of Quincy, Pa. History | Quincy Township (quincytwp.org) When I am gathering information I usually go to Google Maps to see if anything interesting can be added like water transportation. When I saw the location being near the big show I had to throw that in there. I also tend to look for any other facts about the inventor, quite often an obituary (if you can find one) will have some otherwise unknown facts about the person. Yesterday while looking for additional information on someone I stumbled across an AI generated information site. I know that AI is in its infancy but was not at all impressed, The search had the full name (first,last and middle), date of birth and date of death. The AI site generated a mile long list of anything containing ANY of these search items, not the closest match. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,743 #4 Posted May 20 15 hours ago, 953 nut said: I stumbled across an AI site Check out “Chat GPT” With AI it’s best to ask small question. If you ask it to text you everything about X you get a ton of X. AI is only as smart as we are directing it. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
