1952 onwards

At the Dec.15th Annual meeting of Oxford Plowmen's, 1951, a new Oxford Blenheim group was approved:
Mr. Dave H. Brown from Plattsville was the president.
D.B.Mitchell and Geo.Shearer were vice presidents
J.H.Markle was secretary-treasurer
Directors were:
Martin Stewart
Leslie McDonald
Irvin Campbell
Wallace Brown
Merle Coleman
Orville Fried

Annual matches were alternated between north and south of Blenheim.In the early years a tent was used for dinner and awarding the prizes.In those days the main competitors were Browns,Mitchells,Hofstetters,Geo.Shearer,Dedmans,Perrys,and Frieds.

Officers elected for the parent Oxford Group were:

President- Douglas Start
1st Vice Pres- Ross Hargreaves
2nd Vice Pres- Harley McBeth
Secretary - Geo. E. Bell
Treasurer - Norman Shelton

Honorary presidents were:
 T.R.Dent M.L.A.,
Clark Murray M.P
(1952 Warden) P.M.Dewan.

20 directors were nominated and approved:-

John Hargreaves	Lorne Richardson	Douglas McClintock	Wilfred Grenzebach	Thos. Pellow
E.V. Kennedy	Harry Little	Wilfred Corp	David Brown	Ed Hansuld
Murray Logan	Murray Gray	Carl Heeney	Geo. Innes	Roscoe Buck
Fred Howard	Frank Ellis	Geo. Shearer	Chas.Brink	G.A. Matheson
Some new members were:
Dave Bailey	Ward Brodhaecker	Max Heeney	Gerald Heeney	Ross McRae

The 1952 Oxford match was held on Ross McRae farm,west of Norwich. As soon as Doug Start assumed his duties as president, he predicted it would be difficult to host a successful county match after hosting the provincial match in Oxford in 1951. At the first meeting of Oxford Plowmen,January 9th,1952,for passing of accounts re: the 1951 IPM, the executive authorized the treasurer of the county association, Mr.Norm Shelton,to make out a cheque for $300 to the treasurer of the local committee,Mr.Len Coles,covering the grant for prize money on local counties day.It would look better on the financial statement as all adjoining counties made similar donations.A $100 cheque was forwarded to the agriculture representative of Victoria county,Mr.Leroy G.Brown, as payment to 2 boys who lost horses as the result of an accident when they were returning from the 1951 IPM.The horses were travelling in an open top trailer,their heads up enjoying the wind in their face like dogs travelling in a car with their heads out the window.They struck the low hanging Eastwood overpass (53 Hwy) on their forehead,killing them.They were owned by Bernell Wylie from Oakwood near Lindsay.

The Eastwood overpass was not always as high as it is today. George Dakin related this story. The Dakin family was having some furniture, a sofa and a fridge moved by Purvis Alyea (old Parr Geo. called him), Lloyd Alyea's father. Purvis Alyea drove a flatbed milk truck with racks, the style used to haul milk cans. George's mother was riding in the cab with Purvis. George, his brother John, and their father were riding on the back of the truck, seated on the sofa, which was sitting on the racks, the back of it stuck up above the cab.
 Purvis Alyea was always falling asleep at the wheel while driving. George, John, and their father could see the overpass coming, but Purvis did not slow down, heed their warning yells, or George's mother shaking him. The sofa hit the overpass at 30 mph; George, John, and their father flew off with the sofa. It's a wonder we weren't killed said George.

After all honorariums,accounts of local committee,damage to host farmers fields had been paid, the treasurer of the local committee was instructed to turn over the remaining funds from the 1951 IPM to the treasurer of  Oxford County Plowmen, which was about $3600 (according to the treasurer's book).
August 5th, 1952, Oxford plowmen met to draw up their prize list. A coaching day was recommended for all boys 18 and under, to be held at the farm of Norman Shelton on Monday, Sept.22nd or tentatively,Tuesday,Oct.21st. Wm.Barrie of Galt was to be judge or 2nd choice, Norman McLeod. A $500 donation was a fund for Mr. Geo. Bell.
September 25th,1952,Norwich Jr. Farmers were put in charge of parking.Mr.Robinson consulted Don Graham,Brant county ag.rep., to judge the horse show. Don Graham was the son of Peter L. Graham from Ilderton (all dedicated horsemen). The prize list was reviewed. If there were more competitors than there were prizes offered, the committee reserved the right to pay prize money from classes that were not filled. Cecil Wells plowed using Arlington Robinsons team of black Percherons. There was good attendance and support from the Norwich community for the 11th Annual Oxford match at the Ross McRae farm west of Norwich, but poor turnout of contestants. No Oxford boys attended the team plowing at the 1952 IPM held at the Carp airport in Carlton county.The local county match was not so great after the letdown of the 1951 IPM.
Dec.12, 1952, Annual meeting- the letdown was the main topic: location too far south, prize money too small, should open up the classes (to other counties), need a class for high school boys, review the prize list of other counties, horse plowing was finished said Hargreaves. A note of thanks was sent to Woodstock Mayor Bernadette Smith for her Interest in the match. Hargreaves coached her; she was eager to compete in the politician's class at IPM next year 1953. Ross Hargreaves moved up as president; Harley McBeth,1st Vice Pres; Lorne Richardson,2nd Vice Pres; Bob E. Bell was appointed secretary, and Mr. C. Brad Schneller assistant secretary; N.Shelton, treasurer.

1953
Aug.5th, the Oxford association appointed 2 boys,Bill Mitchell of Bright and Gerald Heeney to go to the team plowing competition IPM accompanied by Mr.Dave Mitchell of Blenheim. The 1953 IPM was at the Counties Home farm of Coburg,Durham,and Northumberland counties.
Sept.29th,the non-farmers and ladies classes were eliminated and replaced by a welding competition open to farmers and farmers sons. It was suggested to contact Mr.Welby Meyers of Sweaburg and Mr.Max McKay of Embro regarding welding equipment,-also Mr. Geo. Simmons at W.C.I.who is well qualified.
The 12th Annual Oxford match,1953 was held at the Harold Duffy farm south of Ingersoll in a 40 acre field. Dry ground eliminated perfect plowing conditions; 5000 people attended; the plowing was terrible; Mrs. Wilson and the Salford Women's Institute served lunches. Parking was in charge of Wallace Hammond and Russell Dickout of the Ingersoll Junior farmers.
John Wallace, of Burford (the brother of Bev. Wallace) judged the horse show. Past president, Arlington Robinson, won the T. Eaton Special for the best plow team with his black Percherons . It was the first year that Cecil Wells used his own team. Max Heeney, R.R. 2, Ingersoll,age 15,was the youngest plowing contestant. Good weather prevailed and it was pleasing to see the ladies of the county who turned out in larger numbers than in any previous years.
Annual Meeting of Oxford Plowmen Dec.16,1953, Ross Hargreaves, reporting on the Provincial Annual meeting said Oxford's bank balance was good compared to the ending balance of the IPM matches at Carp and Coburg. One of them had a balance of $92 compared to Oxford's (over $3000). John Hargreaves was judging at IPM Coburg. He complimented the plowing skills of Oxford Mayor Bernadette Smith who, he felt, should have won her class.                  

1954
Lack of enthusiasm for an Oxford match in 1954 was apparent,reading the minute book,even for the IPM at Waterloo on the farm of J.A.Randall. A joint coaching day with the Blenheim group was held. Mr.Bill Mitchell and Orville Fried were the Oxford team at the IPM. Waterloo County requested a $350 grant for their local counties day competition.$300 was the normal amount for adjoining counties to contribute for prize money.Oxford did not hold a plowing match in 1954 and the IPM was rained out by hurricane Hazel. Horses completed their lands on the lighter soil of Waterloo county; they plowed on Saturday.Arnold Rife,who was part of the clean-up crew for the tented city said there were a lot of empty beer bottles to clean up; nothing they could do but stay in the tents and drink beer. At the Annual meeting,Dec.17,1954 the same officers were installed for 1955.

1955
The IPM was held at Blythe Wood in Essex county.Officials said they lost money. Only 62,000 of the expected 200,000 turned up to make it the poorest in the 67 year history of competitive plowing in Ontario, blamed on lack of local interest."They are only interested in making money from farming",one official said.They don't care about straight furrows,trips to England,or golden plows.Orville Fried and Bob Mitchell represented Oxford in the team plowing.
The 13th Oxford match headline was:

Only Twelve enter the County Plow Match Heavy Rain Spoils Plans of Oxford Association Attendance and entries dropped off at the last minute.Ross Hargreaves,president of the association and Bob Bell,secretary were visibly disappointed. Mr.Hargreaves said the weather was just like the IPM held last year(1954) in Waterloo County.
Annual Meeting, Oxford Plowmen,Dec.10th, 1955
W.C.Barrie was the guest speaker.His remarks were directed toward improving the Oxford Match.His first suggestion was to get rid of the large bank account.Other suggestions were:
Home Plowing Competitions
Cut out old classes
Co-operate with urban groups eg.Chamber of Commerce
Increase classes for juniors
An evening banquet with a free meal to the plowboys, judges, guests,etc. A moments silence was observed for the late Murray Logan. Election of officers followed with the same board of directors returned for 1956. Percy Wettlaufer was put on the board to replace Mr. Logan. Next years Provincial Annual Meeting announced to be held at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto,Feb.6th and 7th.

1956
Oxford match to be held Nov.2nd,Friday in the northeast part of Oxford.
The horse show was deleted and prize money increased in all classes.
In regards to team plowing at the IPM,expenses for coaches and plow boys,including transportation, meals,overnight accommodation, and entry fee were to be paid by the treasury. Classes 2,3,6,9,and12 in the 1955 prize list were omitted and remaining classes moved up accordingly.Prize money for classes 1 to 6 was $30,$25,$20,$15,$12,10,8,8,8,8 and $2 each for crown and finish.
The T.Eaton Co.Special this year was awarded to the best plowed land by an Oxford boy or girl 20 years of age and under. Hickson Womens Institute acted as caterers. Percy Wettlaufer was asigned the task of clipping the field on the Wilfred Grenzebach farm where the match was held.
Paid ads were put in the Kitchener paper and announced on Stratford radio.
Dec.5,1956 Norfolk County invited Oxford to join with Haldimand,Brant,and Elgin for local counties day at next years IPM.
Dec.13,1956,Annual meeting of Oxford;There was increased enthusiasm and interest in the Oxford match in 1956,thanks to Mr.John Hargreaves,Wilfred Corp,and Ed Hansuld of the prize list committee.
Mr.Percy Wettlaufer was paid $10 for mowing the field on Mr.Grenzebach's farm where the match was held.
Messrs. Mitchell and Fried of the Blenheim group were paid $145 to cover expenses in connection with the inter-county competition at the IPM ‒ held at Hebert Down farm near Brooklin. There was favour in having an Oxford match in 1957,regardless of the IPM being held in the adjacent county of Norfolk.(It didn't happen)

Election of officers for 1957 followed.

1951  IPM

1951

S. Review, Sept. 17, 1951
Junior Farmers Judging Competition Held Saturday September 15

The competition was open to all young men and women of Oxford County under 30 years of age.   The competitors had to judge in five different classes, Holstein cows, Shorthorn heifers, Yorkshire sows, market lambs, and agricultural horses. Don Helsdon won the C.N.E. shield for the high novice judge. Mr. Helsdon attained a score of 437 in his first experience in a judging competition. David Stock, who won first prize in the junior class, had a score of 441. The complete listing of winners is given below, listed according to their standing:
Juniors: David Stock, David Morrison, Mary West, Don Helsdon, Ross Masters, Jack Gilmar, Ron Alderson, Billy Muir, Stan Marshall, Howard Simms, Donald Lazenby, Russell Cole, David Daniel. Intermediate: Reg Thomson, Dick Moon, Ron Hossack, Howard Start, Andy Innes, Ron Wilker, Jack West, Gerald Row, Ivor Smith, Jack Wilford.
Seniors: Bruce McLeod, Mac Logan, Allan Scott, Earl Start, Harry Green, Arthur Helsdon, Hardee Richardson, Bill McLeod, Harry Brown.
Junior Team: Alvin Hunter, (coach), Ruth Anne Moulton, Ralph Sackrider, Keith Quinn, first prize.  Two teams competed. The other team was: Guy Helsdon, (coach), Kenneth Ford, Don Helsdon, Gordon Helsdon.
Western Fair, Sept. 14, Four Oxford County Horse Breeders Place High at Western Fair: W.H. Tuttle, R.R. 4, Woodstock; Zimmerman Bros. Ltd., Tavistock; A.D. Robinson, R.R. 4, Ingersoll; and H. Zimmerman, Tavistock.
S.Review, Sept 21, Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent will be guest speaker at Friday banquet (arena).
S.Review, Monday, Sept 24, Floyd Lashley, secretary - manager of OPA, addressed the Rotary Club regarding the scope of the IPM 1951.
S. Review, Oct. 1st, Monday, F.E. Ellis, publicity director for the IPM, addressed the Lions Club regarding the tremendous amount of work the county had done in organizing the event.
S. Review, Oct. 6th Clipper Coach lines (advert), from their station at 40 Finkle St. will leave every hour on the hour to the site and return from the site every half hour except the last one at 6 P.M.  The Woodstock Board of Trade was in charge of billeting, hotels were full, only private homes were left. Appeals for accomodations were sent to the Sentinel Review by the billeting  committee. The Oxford United Church Ladies Guild mailed a long list of names and addresses of people offering rooms to the newspaper.
Trophies for the match were displayed in the window of P.T. Walker Furniture Store on Thames Street in Ingersoll. The Largest one stood over two feet high.
The T. Eaton Co. Trophy was for Class 1, horses, besides cash awards (for each class)
The Victory Mills Trophy was for Class 2
McLeod Young & Weir Ltd. Trophy valued at $50 for boys under 18, horse class
Ont. Hydro Electric Power Commission Trophy for the row crop tractor class
Bank of Toronto Trophy for those who have not won a prize in a tractor class at IPM prior to 1951
Massey Harris Co. Trophy for boys under 18 class
Ont Farm Equipment Dealers Association Trophy for open utility tractor class, 3 or more furrows     A.J.H. Eckardt Memorial Trophy single furrow tractor class, open to those who have not won a prize in an open tractor class or a 1st or 2nd at an IPM prior to 1951, girls are excepted in this rule. Despite the fact that the tractor was replacing horse plowing on farms, Charlie Swartz, R.R. 1, Ingersoll, Chairman of the Teams Committee was concerned if enough good plow teams would be available for plowmen coming a distance. 700 total entries were expected. International rules now required that a plowman had to have won a 1st prize at a county match. This held down the entry list but raised the quality of plowing. Gale force winds and rain over the Thanksgiving weekend flattened about 20 tents in the exhibit area, but farmers, exhibitors, and officials had everything restored by Monday evening Oct. 8th.
Local Counties Day Tuesday Oct. 9th Results:
Oxford county contestants walked off with four first prizes in the 17 classes of local counties day competition. Chalking up first prize wins were Albert Roberts of Woodstock, Ross Hargreaves of Beachville, William Mitchell and Willard King, both of Bright. A.D. Robinson of Ingersoll captured first place in the class for teams and equipment. Tuesdays competition took place on George Jakeman's farm. Damp weather kept attendance down to about 7500. Ross Hargreaves won the two furrow open class. He was the only entrant from Oxford. Contour plowing class was won by Willard King and Fred Shearer.
Results of 13 classes:
Class 1, horses, open, 1. John Capton, Ohsweken; 2. Robert G. Brown, Galt; 3. Roscoe H. Buck, Princeton; 4. Emerson Green, Ohsweken; 5. Harry Blackman, Ingersoll; 6. Elmer Armstrong, St.Paul's; 7. George Brohman, West Montrose; 8. E. Antone, Southwold.
Class 2, horses, 1. William Buck, Paris; 2. Fred Howard, Woodstock; 3. R.W. Long, Shedden; 4. Ivan Patterson, Dutton; 5. John B. Wallace, Woodstock.
Class 3, horses, 1/2, Cecil Wells, Paris; 2. Ronald Playter, Mt. Brydges.
Class 4, horses, 1. J.A. Randall, Breslau; 2. Leslie Van Sickle, Middleport; 3. W.B. Van Sickle, Cainsville
Class 5, no entries
Class 6, tractors, open, two furrow, 1. Albert Roberts, Woodstock; 2. Don Campbell, Cainsville;
3. Arnold Rife, Galt; 4. Jack Hargreaves, Beachville; 5. William Huffman, Waterford; 6. George Shearer, Bright; 7. E. Tucker, Komoka; 8. Charles Bonney, Princeton; 9. Bruce Cochrane, Paris;
10. Ivan Watt, Paris; 11. Doug C. McClintock, Brownsville.
Class 7, tractors, 3 or more furrows, open, 1. Bill Lemery, Waterford; 2. James Weatherston, Paris; 3. Ed Feick, Kitchener; 4. Cecil Shoemaker, Elmira; 5. Vaughan Logan, Woodstock; 6. Graham Edwards, Brantford; 7. W. Rae Hillborne, Ayr; 8. Lloyd Darling, St. Mary's; 9. Ken Howard, Woodstock; 10. Paul Armstrong, St. Mary's.
Class 8, tractors, two furrow,  1. Bruce Aitcheson, St. Paul's; 2. Walter Opersko, Waterford; 3. Elmer Erb, Millbank; 4. Ross Brown, Bright; 5. Ivor Smith; 6. George Huffman, Waterford; 7. Calvin Kennedy, Woodstock; 8. Cela McKillop, Wallacetown; 9. Charles Pinnegar, Springfield; 10. Ashton Hevenor, Springfield.
Class 9, tractors, 2 furrow, open, 1. Ross Hargreaves, Beachville; 2. Kenneth Brown, W. Monkton; 3. Ed Mitchell, Denfield; 4. Earl Gringer, Brantford; 5. Howard Shuh, Elmira; 6. Eldon Brubacher, West Montrose.
Class 10: tractors, 3 or more furrows, open
1. Marshall Deans, Paris; 2. Kenneth B. Rath, Mossley; 3. Norman Shelton, Beachville; 4. Clayton Opersko, Waterford; 5. David L. Bailey, Embro; 6. Arthur Duncan Long, Wardsville; 7. Ralph B. McCutcheon, Beachville; 8. Bill Lawson, Embro; 9. H.W. Ellis, St. Thomas; 10. Robert Walters, Embro.
Class 11: tractors , 2 furrow, 1. William Mitchell, Bright; 2. Robert Davies, Branchton; 3. Roger Porter, Ohsweken; 4. John W. Kennedy, Oxford Centre 5. Walter Porter, Ohsweken; 6. Eldon Westman, Granton; 7. Douglas Brown, Bright; 8. Leonard Wakem, St. Mary's.
Class 12: tractors, 2 furrows, 1. Graeme K. Dougherty, Onandaga; 2. Hugh Burtch, Wilsonville;
3. James Smith, Middleport; 4. Howard Marshall, Ayr; 5. Gerald Heeney, Ingersoll; 6. John Jewell, Dutton; 7. Stan Golding, Waterford; 8. E.D. Walters, Wallacetown; 9. Robert Dale, Ilderton; 10. Wayne Shackleton, St. Paul's.
Class 13: one furrow, 1. Betty Opersko, Waterford; 2. Valia Mulkewich, Waterford.
Welding Competitions:
 Class One: Bob Cowing
Class Two: 1. Glen Maracle, Ohsweken; 2. George Thomas 3. Calvin Fisher, Delaware.
Class Three: 1. Glen Maracle, Ohsweken; 2. Calvin Fisher, Delaware; 3. E. Hubbs, Hillsburg.
Best going plow team, Class results
1. W.B. Van Sickle, Cainsville
2. R.G. Brown, Galt
3. Roscoe H. Buck, Princeton
4. Leslie Van Sickle, Middleport
5. Russell Masson, Woodstock
6. Harry Blackman, Ingersoll
7. Ivan Bell, Kirkfield
8. Gordon Post, Beachville

Marshall Deans encouraged Cecil Wells to enter his first plowing match in 1948. Cecil plowed with a tractor in 1948, 1949, and 1950.
 At the 1951 IPM he plowed with a borrowed team of horses, competed with horses through his lifetime, plowing with a Paris plow that he bought from Glen McFadden. Arlington Robinson spoke to Gordon Post, J.R. Hargreaves's neighbour re: a team for Cecil. Gordon had lost a daughter to scalding the previous year and was not going to take anyone in. Cecil went to see Gordon about his team of Belgian geldings. Their names were Toby and Star, Cecil remembers. They had never been on a plow before. They had done a lot of ditching, filling in tile drains, likely for a local tile drainage contractor from Sweaburg named Frank Elliot. Gordon said if Cecil used the team for plowing, Cecil and his mother could stay there. The team performed excellent, winning Cecil first place in Class three and a prize for Gordon Post in the best going plow team, explaining why one-half is noted behind Cecil's name in Class 3. The ditching machine of Frank Elliot is now owned by Frank McKay near Hickson awaiting restoration.

 Teams and Equipment, Results:
1. A.D. Robinson, Ingersoll
2. Earl Poll & Son, R.R. 1, New Hamburg
3. W.B. Van Sickle, R.R. 1, Cainsville
4. Roscoe Buck, R.R. 2, Princeton
5. J.A. Randall, R.R. 2, Breslau
6. Gerald Bell, R.R. 3, Woodville
7. R.G. Brown, R.R. 7, Galt
8. Russell Masson, R.R. 1, Woodstock
9. Leslie Van Sickle, R.R. 1, Middleport
10. Ivan Patterson, R.R. 5, Dutton
11. George Brown & Son, R.R. 7, St.Thomas
12. Ivan Bell, R.R. 2, Kirkfield
13. Gordon Post, R.R. 1, Beachville

The judges were: L.H. Winslow, Classes 2 and 3; Win Timbers, Classes 1 and 4; George Hawstrauser, Classes 6 and 11; Frank Laidlaw, Class 7; N.G. McLeod, Classes 8 and 9; Alvin Mark, Class 12; John R. Hargreaves, Classes 10 and 13.
IPM Thursday, Oct. 11, 1951 results  (from Fridays paper of Oct.12

Plowing Match Draws Huge Crowd of 45,000
The Inter county competition in horse plowing led Thursday's events along with a juvenile competition. The highest ranking teams received a cash award of $80 down to 10th to 15th prizes of $20, and trophies. The Family Herald and Weekly Star Trophy was for Boys under 18, who have not won a 1st or 2nd at an IPM prior to 1951 competed for the  Family Herald and Weekly Star Trophy
A tractor utility class, open to first prize winners at Branch matches in 1950 and 1951, must be 2 furrow 10 inch plows, former first and second prize winners at an IPM not eligible. First prize is a watch. Those who have not won a prize at an IPM prior to 1950 in a class for row crop tractors compete for the Robert Simpson Co. Ltd. Trophy. The Borden Co.Trophy was open to all first and second prize winners in the open 3 furrow class in sod or stubble at an IPM prior to 1951.
The single furrow class was for the Bank of Montreal Trophy.
The juvenile competition (Thursday) was sponsored by the Ford Motor Company of Canada. The competition had two classes: open to girls over 13 and under 18; the other open to boys over 11 and under 16; competition held in stubble. The inter county competition was won by the York county team of Eugene Timbers of Milliken and Merle Timbers of Aurora. Other teams were from Haldimand, Wentworth, Victoria, Brant, Grey, and Middlesex. Contour plowing was another event of the day. Entered in this class was William C. Humphrey of Albany Missouri, who failed to place, but who came out with a first prize in the farm welding competition. Leo K. Davis of Memphis, Missouri, USA placed 11th in his class on Wednesday and was in the 3 furrow class again on Thursday. The young girl from Waterford, Betty Opersko, who won first on Wednesday won again on Thursday, winning over 3 other entrants (girls over 13 and under 18).
Arnold Howden, from Milton won the class for boys over 11 and under 16. Traffic jammed every main highway, county and township road leading to the site of the plowing match. Nearly 200 plowmen competed in 11 classes on Thursday. Large classes named only the top 12.

Results of Thursday's Competitions:
Class 10, intercounty competition, horses,- York county; Eugene Timbers, Milliken (high man in the class); Merle Timbers, Aurora; Haldimand county; Harold Nixon, Hagersville; Ray Reicheld, Cayuga; Wentworth county; Tom Braithwaite, Ancaster; George Marile, Alberton; Victoria county; Gerald Bell, Woodville; Ivan Bell, Kirkfield; Brant county; Ken Wilkinson, Middleport; Carman Porter, Ohsweken; Cecil Wells, Paris; Grey county; Beverly Brown, Ayton, Mac Gamble, Owen Sound; Middlesex county; Harry Antone, Southwold; Ronald Playter, Mount Brydges; Duncan Antone, Southwold.
Class 11, horses,- Albert Porter, Ohsweken, Albert W. Clark, Highgate; John Timbers, Unionville; Harry Blackman, Ingersoll; Stanley May, Hornby; William Buck, Paris; Ralph J. Smith, Mount Albert; Anthony Featherstone, Milliken; Leslie Van Sickle, Middleport; Hector Currier, Maxville; William  K. Thomas, Maple; Ray W. Long, Shedden.
Class 12, tractors, utility class: Robert Timbers, Stouffville; Ivan McLaughlin, Stouffville; Doug Campbell, Cainsville; L.C. Kennedy, Agincourt; Allan McNabb, Minesing; Bruce Aitcheson, St. Paul's; Doug Reid, Brampton; George Shearer, Bright; Ronald Marquis, Sunderland; Ross Hargreaves, Beachville; Russell Morrison, Beaverton.
Class 13, tractors,- Howard Doner, Stouffville; Gordon Miller, Jarvis; Bill Snowden, Nanticoke; Earl Bacher, Cayuga; Jerry Ferguson, Croton; Larry Hare, Nanticoke; John Pickett, Hornby; Bill Hostrawser, Malton; C.V. Pickett, Georgetown; Elmer Erb, Millbank; Jack Campbell, Churchill; Earl Gringer, Brantford.
Class 14, tractors,- row crop style, tricycle type only: Lorne Passmore, Exeter; Jack Marchment, Hornby; John Anderson, Bolton; Peter L. Smith, Tavistock; Gordon Bradfield, Peterborough; Donald R. McGregor, Parkhill.
Class 15, tractors,- William Mitchell, Bright; Kenneth D. Hopper, Hagersville; Donald Dunkeld, Claremont; Bill Dixon, Brantford; James W. Smith; Middleport; Hugh Baird, Blackwater; Jack Field, Nanticoke; Allan Brenzil, York; Hugh Birtch, Wilsonville; Douglas J. Manley, Berwick; Robert Davies, Branchton; Jim Munro, Blackwater.
Class 16, tractors, 3 or more furrows,- Joe Tran, Claremont; J.A. Randall, Breslau; Ed Feick, Kitchener; H.J. Couperthwaite, Uxbridge; Arnold Rife, Galt; Floyd Forsythe, Stouffville; George Timbers, Stouffville; Arthur Duncan Long, Wardsville; W.L. Kennedy, Agincourt; Roy D. Weiderick, Fisherville; Ken Howard, Woodstock; Ralph McCutcheon, Beachville. This class is basic to the 1951 Group photo of the Bordens class with 28 persons. Only the top twelve winners are named here
 Class 17, tractors, single furrows ,-Vera Jacques, Jarvis; Grant Wells, Stouffville; Jack Shadlock, Agincourt; Kenneth Rife, Galt; Lloyd Grove, Markham; Gordon Neil McGavin, Walton.
Class 18, girls over 13 and under 18 years of age: Betty Opersko, Waterford; Valia Mulkewick, Waterford; Ruth Keyes, Seaforth; Betty Welch, Appin.

Class 19, boys over 11 and under 16 years:- Arnold Howden, Milton; Douglas Robinson, Cookstown; Kenneth Brown, Dutton; Frank Whaling, St. Paul's; Charles Pinnager, Springfield.
Contour plowing competition results: Class C, tractor, stubble, two furrows, Minimum width 10 inches: Ed Mitchell, Denfield; Norman Tindle, Richmond Hill; Donald McNabb, Stroud; Norman Robson, Maple; Eldred King, Markham; Art Campbell, Wainfleet.
Welding results: Class 7: Lloyd Swartz, Beachville; Alex Mann, Picton; Gordon Blight, Goodwood; Hamilton Carter, Innerkip
Class 8: William C. Humphrey, Albany, Missouri, U.S.A.; Duncan W. Dewar, Walkers; Glen Maracle, Ohsweken; Gordon Blight, Goodwood.
Class 9: Stanley Dowan, Appin; Gordon Blight, Goodwood; Glen Maracle, Ohsweken; Doug Tennant, Woodstock.

Friday, Oct.12, 1951 IPM was the big money day and competition for the overseas trips (classes 20 to 28). First prize in horse and tractor events was a gold medal and trip to the British Isles, won by 18 year old Eugene Timbers of Milliken and 24 year old Norman Tyndall of Richmond Hill. Second prize was a silver medal and $150 cash, won by Stanley May, of Hornby (horses) and Joesph C. Tran of Claremont (tractors). Former trip winners were eligible to win the Imperial Tobbaco Co. Ltd. Trophy in the horse drawn sod classes. Elmer Erb of Millbank and Lawrence Hare of Nanticoke won trips to Chicago International Livestock Expo, paid by British American Oil Co.
Class 20, Trans Atlantic Class, horses: won by Eugene Timbers.
Class 21, Horses: R.G. Brown, Galt; Herb Jarvis, Agincourt, John Capton, Ohsweken
Class 22, won by Harry Blackman, Ingersoll
Class 23, Horses: Harold Nixon, Hagersville; Merle Timbers, Aurora; Beverly L. Brown, Ayton; Howard Nesbitt, Woodville; Cecil Wells, Paris; Murray Long, Salford.
Class 24, Inter county, won by Lawrence Hare of Nanticoke and Elmer Erb of Millbank. Bill Mitchell from Bright and Gerald Heeney represented Oxford.
Class 25, Trans Atlantic class, tractors, Norman Tyndall, Richmond Hill. Albert Roberts placed eleventh.
Class 26, tractors, Bob Timbers, Stouffville; Bill Hostrawser, Malton; Charles Bonney, Princeton; William Waldbrood, Hagersville; John Hargreaves, Beachville; Ronald Marquis, Sunderland; Ross Hargreaves, Beachville.
Class 27,tractors, open 3 furrow, 10" plows: Bill Snowden, Nanticoke; Bill Lemery, Waterford; Floyd Forsythe, Stouffville; Vaugh Logan, Woodstock; Ed Feick, Kitchener; Herb Golden, Brampton; James Weatherston, Paris; Roy D. Weiderick, Fisherville; David L. Bailey, Embro; Allan Meyer, Clairemont; Don Edwards, Woodstock.Four more identities from this class are in the Bordens  photo.           
Class 28 was won by George Timbers of Stouffville; L.C. Kenne, Agincourt was second. Arlington Robinson won the horse show on Friday.
 Welding results, Friday: Lloyd Swartz, Beachville; Douglas Tennant, Woodstock; Bob Cowing, Innerkip; James K. Fleming, Embro, won second prize in electric stik welding. Lloyd Swartz won the Grand Championship in oxy-acetylene welding. J.G. Gardiner, Minister of Agriculture for Canada addressed over 1500 people at the closing banquet in the Perry St. arena. He said that good plowing impresses the idea in our minds that plowing is essential to good farming. It answers a challenge and "What you (Oxford) have done in the past four days will have its effect on people all over Canada."

1950

S.Review, Oct., 10, 1950

Warden Bob Rudy and County clerk Len K. Coles posted a public notice for a meeting in the council chambers of the court house to settle all claims and accounts against the county. Preliminaries for the 1951 IPM were reviewed; hydro and telephone service, water was sourced from the Hargreaves farm. A small airport was planned, police protection ( 1949 match had eight night watchmen); Bob Rudy emphasized that the 1951 IPM in Oxford would need extensive promotion for its success, particularly one with the scope covered by the IPM competitions.

Local counties day for Dufferin, Grey, Ontario, Simcoe, and York were completed Oct. 10, and a delegation of over 30 individuals chartered a large bus to the 1950 IPM near Alliston, 20 miles southwest of Barrie, (Nottawasaga Farms) the day after. The delegates included all Oxford county council members, Mayor Wilson Milburn, Monty Wherry representing Woodstock Board of Trade, George Bell, ag. rep., Tony Duncan of the Sentinel Review, Wilfred Grenzebach, John Hargreaves (host farmer), Emerson Moulton (county weed inspector), R.J. Forbes, president of the Woodstock Agriculture Society, J.N. Methrell, county road superintendent, Gordon Ross, past warden (1948), A.D. Robinson, the vice president of Oxford Plowmen and Norman Shelton, treasurer. Speaking on behalf of the delegates were: Warden George Fewster, then Mayor F.W. Milburn, P.M. Dewan, Ingersoll, T.R. Dent, M.L.A., K.R. Daniel, M.P. for Oxford, Reeve Harry Little, Dereham, Chairman of county council agriculture committee, and  Murray McBeth, President of Oxford Plowmen's. Each speaker was introduced by a roll of the drum. The delegation was dressed on a Scots motif, every member wearing a tartan cap and tie, as well as placards advertising the 1951 Oxford IPM. After the speeches, they marched through the tented city led by pipers Alex Collins of Ingersoll and W.L. Pearson of Embro playing their bagpipes. The rain and mud did not deter them. They paraded two miles through the tented city, and probably drew more attention than any other event at the match. Alster Clark promised good weather.

The Ex-Reeves Association of Oxford County held their annual meeting 11 Oct 1949 at the Altadore. John Smith, of Dereham Township, was elected president, succeeding Clair Peers of East Oxford. John Wallace of East Oxford was named vice president with Leroy Curtis, Dereham, as secretary treasurer. Also in attendance were three other committee members: Alvin McKay, West Zorra (Warren McKay's grandfather), Charles Langden, East Nissouri, and Thomas Costello, Blandford.
The guest speaker at the event was Rev. Dr. Thomas Wearing, a former dean of Colgate Divinity School in New York, who owned a farm on the 13th line of East Zorra. Emphasizing the opportunities available to every person in Canada he spoke on the subject of "True Success", what it entailed, and the way to go about achieving it. It was the speaker's opinion that the simplest definition of success was "the satisfactory achievement of something attempted", and he pointed out three ways through which to gain it. Firstly, the individual must be proud of the work he is doing; second, a person must undertake his work with patience and perseverance, and finally "true success will come if a man feels that he has a place in God's scheme and puts his ability to the service of those about him."

IPM 1950

Potato farming is big near Alliston. The tented city had educational exhibits displaying everything from planting to cooking. Wednesday's schedule had nine open classes in stubble plowing for horses and tractors. Competitors on Wednesday included the Alberta champion from Edmonton Len Job; the three-time Irish champion from Ulster, John Lindsay Brown, whose cups now decorate his home near Bradford, Ontario; R.L. Batey from Newcastle-on-Tyne, a former winner of several British inter-county contests. Batey spends much of his time trying to convince Canadian farmers of the value of the Ransome plow. The Friday night banquet was held at Beeton, five miles southeast of Alliston. Herb Jarvis of Agincourt and Hugh Leslie of Georgetown won the overseas, all expense paid, six week tour of the U K (for horse and tractor plowing). The Chicago trip tour winners were Hugh Baird and Donald Dunkeld, both of Ontario county and runners up H.Hare and Earl Bacher of Haldimand county.

The ninth Annual Oxford County Plowing Match took place on Tuesday 17 October and was hosted by Alster Clark, Reeve of West Zorra, at his farm, four miles west of #19 Hwy.(#59 now) on the Maplewood side road.

City and District, S. Review, Oct. 17: Department of Agriculture office doors are locked; complete inactivity there as all department officials are recording results and directing classes at the match. Judge Alex Black of Guelph scored the contestants out of 100 points as follows: on the basis of crown, 20 points; straightness of furrows, including ins and outs, 20 points; shape of land, 10 points; finish, 20 points. Thirty-five acres of the Clark farm will be used for the event, 15 for plowing and 20 acres for exhibits and parking.

S.Review, Wednesday, Oct. 18: Albert Roberts Top Plowman Once More

Albert Roberts, R.R. 2, Woodstock, captured the East Zorra Plowmen's Memorial trophy for the best plowed land with either team or tractor. He became the first plowman to win the award twice, having won it in 1948. He also won the Esso Champions trophy for best plowed land in tractor sod classes. Last years champion plowman, Roscoe Buck, R.R. 2, Princeton, won the Esso Champion Horse Plow Special for the best plowed land in horse drawn sod classes. Other special prize winners included: Ken Howard, R.R. 3, Woodstock, T.Eaton Co. Special for best plowed land in the three furrow class. Gerald Heeney, R.R. 2, Ingersoll, won the Robert Simpson Co. trophy for best plowed land in a tractor class for boys 16 years and under. The biggest crowd watched the non-farmers class, won by Henry Hamrick. Specially chosen for the event was the best plow team in the horse show, owned by Wallace Munroe of Embro. The tractor driving competition had nine competitors from Bond's, Ingersoll, and Blenheim Junior Farmer Clubs. Lorne Fleming, R.R. 3, Woodstock, took first place and was chosen as Oxford's representative in the provincial Junior Farmers tractor driving competitions held in Toronto early in 1951. Plowmen 70 years and over got in their licks as West Zorra put up a prize for the best plowing done by contestants in that age bracket. The oldest entrant was 77-year-old Ephram Meadows, W. Zorra, who won the class, closely followed by 72-year-old James Latimer, Woodstock,
 and 74-year-old William Abell, Hickson.

1949

Sentinel Review, Wednesday, 5 October, 1949

Fear Record Plow Entry to Make Land Shortage

Kenneth Armstrong, chairman of the Brant county general committee (IPM) reported that requests for 240 tractors had been received up to the closing deadline. These, along with competitors who would bring their own tractors and others who will use horses, are expected to boost entries to well over 1000. He expected 400 tractors. Approximately 400 acres had been set aside for plowing, it was pointed out, but this may have to be boosted to more than 500.
Harold W. Amy's farm, 10 miles west of Brantford, was the site of IPM 1949, Brant County. Officials of the Oxford Plowmen's Association had a hand in staging the Brant event to give them some ideas for when it would be held in Oxford in 1951. The Local Counties Day committee from Oxford were: Reeve Harry Little, of Dereham, Harley McBeth, Salford, president of the Oxford Plowmen's; Doug Start, Curries, vice president, E.V. Kennedy and Lorne Richardson, both of Oxford Centre. President of the provincial association was B.C. Porteous from Owen Sound. J.A. Carroll, secretary-manager of the OPA (Ontario Plowmen's Association) said it was definitely assured to be the biggest match ever held. Well over 100,000 people were expected in the four day event. (It was almost 200,000). The Burford road was lined almost solid with traffic. A special squad of 50 provincial police officers was on duty between Brantford and the plowing site (Tuesday morning, Oct.11th). By the time it was all over Brantford and Brant County was richer by $1,000,000.
Tuesday, Oct. 11, open counties day for Brant, Oxford, Norfolk, Haldimand, Waterloo, and Wentworth, plowing was done on the farm of J. Bellhouse, half mile west of headquarters and exhibition area, A.H. Gehring farm, half mile north of headquarters, and farm of B. Szaloczi, one half mile to the east.
There were 12 classes on the first day, seven for horses, five for tractors. Oxford names in the winners list for horses were: Donald Duncan, R.R. 1, Drumbo; Fraser DeWar, Tavistock; W.H. Tuttle, R.R. 1, Woodstock, A.D. Robinson, R.R. 2, Ingersoll, Murray Long, R.R. 1, Salford.
Tractor competitors were: Ross Hargreaves; George Mitchell, R.R. 4, Bright; Norman Shelton, Beachville; George Thornton, Woodstock; Fred Bertrand, Oxford Centre. There were other Oxford competitors, but only the top twelve winners were listed. Some Oxford men served as directors for these classes;- J.H. Thompson, Harry Little, Doug Start, E.V. Kennedy, Lorne Richardson, Harley McBeth. These were all large classes.
Zimmerman Bros., Tavistock, W.H. Tuttle, Woodstock, A.D. Robinson placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the horse show. Jim Innes placed 8th for the best plow team.
The youngest competitor was nine-year-old Thomas George, R.R. 4, Brantford; the oldest was William Slaught, R.R. 1, Wilsonville, age 82.
John Ainslie, Kettleby, Ontario, entertained a large crowd with his four Border collie sheep dogs. They rounded up eight sheep and herded them into a pen, then performed the same with 3 ducks. Airplanes from a nearby airfield took passengers for flights over the tented city and the plowfield. Fred H. Courtney, plowman, from Mooretown, near Sarnia was given a ride in an open cockpit plane, not exactly to his liking. The stunt pilot flew upside down. Fred grabbed the pilot's arm and told him- "If I fall out, you are coming with me".
Ralph McCutcheon, Beachville, was on his honeymoon during the 1949 IPM. He had requested his overnight abode to be kept secret. Some Oxford boys, led by George Thornton, went to the police stating an urgent message from home needed to be relayed to Ralph. They found out where the couple were staying and chivareeded them.

S. Review, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 1949

Rain Forces Postponement of Plowing Match Events

The program continued unchanged except that it closed on Saturday instead of Friday. Ontario Premier Leslie M. Frost spoke on Friday instead of at the Saturday night banquet because of the rescheduled timetable.The banquet was held at the Brantford airport. Brigadier O.M. Martin, magistrate for the county of York, noted educationist, soldier, and former resident of Six Nations Indian Reservation opened the match. Opening ceremonies featured Indian dancers in native costume, feathered headress and beaded buckskin. Elliot Moses, veteran Six Nations plowman, when he introduced the guest speaker, said the Indians appreciated the gesture of the Ontario Plowmen's Association in turning over the entertainment portion of the match program; they entertained evenings throughout the match. Moses said they used to own this country but now they had to get permission to operate even a few minutes. Six Nations people set up an Indian village on headquarters site complete with teepees where the men and women demonstrated Indian handicrafts. Agriculture minister T.L. Kennedy said it was fitting that Canada's original citizens be honored. Twelve hours of steady rain on Wednesday made the exhibition grounds a quagmire. One Brant county resident, George Aulsebrook was so busy pulling vehicles out of the mud with his new Farmall "H" he almost paid for the tractor and three furrow plow. Farm machinery travelled on rubber tires by 1949. J.A. Carroll noted that in 1933 at IPM in Owen Sound only three tractors had rubber tires. Brantford and Burford shoe retailers sold out of any kind of protective footware for the thick sticky mud. One merchant took his wares to the plowing match itself and was able to oblige 200 customers.
Wednesday's plowing schedule (held on Thursday), listed 373 competitors, (Friday's paper stated 393), 24 of them from Oxford, their names spread through nine classes:
Class 1-HORSES (28 entries) had Andrew Forbes, Woodstock
Class 2-HORSES (30 entries) had Donald Duncan, Drumbo
Class 3-HORSES (12 entries) had Murray Long, Salford. The three horse classes all plowed on H. Amy's farm east of headquarters.
Class 4-TRACTORS (66 entries) had Bill Wilford from Salford and Albert Roberts from Woodstock Class 5-TRACTORS (40 entries) had Fred Bertrand,(exhitor #1340)from Oxford Centre, Ralph McCutcheon from Beachville, and Arthur Dale from Curries
Class 6-TRACTORS (105 entries,the largest class); In it were: Ross Hargreaves, Beachville; Bruce Masson, Woodstock; Doug McClintock, Brownsville; Norman Shelton, Beachville; Reginald Manuel, Salford; George Shearer, Bright; Jack Thompson, Woodstock; Jack Hargreaves, Beachville; Vaughn Logan, Woodstock; Jim Richardson, Woodstock.
Class 7-TRACTORS (39 entries) had Gerald Heeney, Ingersoll; George Mitchell, Bright; Jim Innes, Woodstock.
Class 8-TRACTORS (41 entries) 3 furrow, had George Thornton, Woodstock; Ken Howard, Woodstock; Harry Little, Salford.
Class 9- TRACTORS (13 entries) Noteworthy, that four ladies (not Oxford residents) plowed in Class 9: Mrs. T.D. McCann, Brantford; Lois Pond (later known as Mrs. Jack Nixon) from Jarvis; Vera Jacques, Jarvis; Louise Smith, Waterford. Donald Dunkeld, Claremont plowed in this class also. In 2017 he still plows competitively and continues to win.

Oxford Plowmen Win Top Prizes

Friday, S.Review, Oct.14, 1949

Three Oxford plowmen won top prizes in Class 6, yesterday at Burford IPM; George Shearer, Bright was first, followed by the two Hargreaves brothers, Ross and Jack.
THE EXPOSITOR, BRANTFORD, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12, 1949 was an encyclopedia of Brant county agriculture; how the Cockshutt Plow Co. contributed to Canada. It had photos of all the directors and officers of OPA, a history of plowing in Egypt by classical writers (Heslod & Virgil). The first horse was imported to Canada on June 20, 1647, at Tadousac, Quebec, it said.
The main objects of OPA are: 1, to teach farmers, particularly young men how to set and adjust their plows; 2, by competition to encourage them how to use plows to get the desired type of furrow, whether it be narrow or straight; when a young man has mastered the plow he will not be satisfied with other implements that are not properly adjusted. It would be impossible to estimate the annual loss in Ontario in labor and draft power due to improperly set, rusty, or dull equipment. 3, the last and most important object is to encourage pride in doing plowing and other farm jobs in a skilful way. No workman can be happy unless he is trying to do his best.
By Friday, the rain of Wednesday had made plowing conditions "just right" for turning a nice furrow.

PLOWING MATCH SETS RECORDS     The Brantford Expositor, Thursday Oct.13
Traffic jammed all roads in and out of the area; bumper to bumper lines; Number 53 highway and number 2 highway traffic was solid all the way from the plow site for 13 miles east of Cainsville. Friday and Saturday nights Hwy#2 through Woodstock to Ingersoll was jammed with traffic as farmers swarmed into restaurants for supper on their way home.

Brantford Expositor Saturday, Oct.15, 1949
362 entries registered for Friday compared to 393 on Thursday. In one tractor class, (Class 13), open to competitors solely engaged in farming, former first prize winners in this or open tractor classes not eligible, 152 entries were registered. When the time came to tally the results, it was found that several competitors should not have been allowed in as they were not eligible.This complication held up the decision for prize awards. By Saturday night the muddle was straightened out and winners announced: Harold Pickett, Hornby; Joe Tran, Claremont; H. Campbell, Cainsville; H. Leslie, Georgetown; E. Maw, Minesing; Russell Morrison, Beaverton; George Timbers, Aurora; Earl Fleming, Hagersville; Norman Tyndall, Richmond Hill; Doug Campbell, Cainsville; Albert Roberts, Woodstock; Ray Montague, Jarvis.

Class 14, tractors, row crop style, tricycle type only, open to competitors solely engaged in farming who have not previously won a prize in an international tractor class: Gordon Rapson, Londesboro, Bruce Cochrane, Paris, Horace Barnes, Georgetown, Fred Bertrand, Oxford Centre, Ralph McCutcheon, Beachville, Rae Hilborn, Ayr, N. Smith, Columbus, Fred Mason, St. George, Sidney Sisler, Caistor Centre, J. Hill, Scotland, B. Alton, Freeman, Arthur Dale, Curries.

Class 15, tractors, open to boys under 18, engaged in farming, George Mitchell, Bright, placed 8th.

Class 16, Bordens Class, three furrows, not less than 12" wide, former first and second prize winners at an IPM not eligible. Top 12 placings in order of merit were: L.C. Kennedy, Agincourt, Ralph Gerber, R.R.1, Millbank, R.G. Brown, Galt, W.J. Snowden, Nanticoke, Floyd Forsythe, Stouffville, George Cruickshank, Caledonia, Milford Fenwick, Brampton, Les Smith, Gormley, George B. Thornton, Woodstock, Ed Feick, Kitchener, Keith Maw, Lambeth, James Weatherston, Paris.

Class 17, tractors, open, single furrow, not less than 10" wide: Allan Meyer, Claremont, R.R.3; Howitt Carter, Arkell; Graeme Dougherty, Onondaga; Mrs. T. McCann, Brantford; Vera Jacques, Jarvis; Floyd Steckley, Stouffville. Graeme Dougherty was well known to the Oxford plowing community. Graeme plowed up to and during the autumn of 2016. He passed away April 24/2017. His son and grandson carry on the family tradition. For his memoriam card his family chose "The Man Behind the Plow".

 Class 18, girls, over 13 and under 18, plowing with any make of tractor: Louise Smith, R.R. 5, Waterford; Lois Pond, R.R. 5, Jarvis; Margaret Baigent, Waterford.

Expositor, Brantford, Monday, Oct.17, 1949

Saturday Oct. 15 was the climax of the 1949 IPM with 262 entries, 70 in 4 horse classes, 192 in 5 tractor classes, bringing the total entries  for the four days to 1185, published in the Expositor of Monday Oct. 17th. It was declared the "Greatest Ever". The coveted Trans Atlantic Class 20, horses, was won by Ronald Marquis, 28, of R.R. 1, Sunderland. Trans Atlantic Class 25, tractors, was won by Jim Eccles, 30, of Brampton. Runner up in the transatlantic tractor class was Doug Campbell, Cainsville, who won a silver medal and $150 cash. The same award went to N. Jarvis, runner up in the horse drawn class. The tour manager who accompanied Marquis and Eccles to Britain in January of 1950 was Alex McKinney of Brampton, R.R. 2.
Class 23, horses, open to boys under 18, Eugene Timbers, R.R. 1, Milliken; Robert Nixon, Hagersville; Earl Bacher, Cayuga; Mac Gamble, R.R. 3, Chatsworth; George Markle, Alberton; Tom Braithwaite, R.R. 2, Ancaster; Murray Long, R.R. 1, Salford; John Clark, R.R. 5, Goderich; Andrew MacRobbie, R.R. 5, Guelph; Ivan Bell, Kirkfield.

Class 24, tractors, intercounty competition, open to one team of two plowboys from each county. The Brant county team of Cecil Wells and Bruce Cochrane placed fourth.

Class 26, tractors, open, excepting to those eligible to compete in Class 25, (top 12), Robert Timbers, Stouffville; Jack Hargreaves, Beachville; J. Warriner, R.R. 2, Markham; Frost Wells, R.R. 2, Stouffville; Doug Reid, R.R. 5, Brampton; Spencer Wilson, Norval; Allan Meyer, R.R. 3, Claremont; Hubert Turnbull, R.R. 1, Canfield; Carl Jacques, R.R. 3, Jarvis; George Shearer, R.R. 1, Bright; George Dobbin, R.R. 1, Caledonia; Norm Shelton, R.R. 1, Beachville.

Class 27, tractors, three furrow, 10" plows, Floyd Steckley, Stouffville; W.J. Snowden, R.R. 1, Nanticoke; Glen McFadden, Millbank; Floyd Forsythe, R.R. 2, Stouffville; Harold Ellis, R.R. 4, Aylmer; Horace Baines, R.R. 4, Georgetown; William Lemery Jr., R.R. 2, Brantford; Howard Kellam, R.R. 2, Brantford; Harry Jarvis, R.R. 2, Hagersville; George Cruickshank, Caledonia.

Class 28, tractors,open, row crop style, tricycle type only, 3 furrows not less than 12 inches-  L.C. Kennedy, Agincourt; Ralph Gerber, R.R. 1, Millbank; A. Ball, R.R. 1, Fletcher; Fred Mason, R.R. 1, St.George; William Walsh, R.R. 2, Brantford; L.R. McMillan, Norwood; B. Alton, Freeman; Fred Bertrand, Oxford Centre; George Michie, R.R. 4, Brussels; Ralph McCutcheon, Beachville; A. Patterson, R.R. 1, Dunnville; H. McLean, R.R. 1, Melbourne.

HORSE SHOW

Zimmerman Bros. Tavistock won the special for teams and equipment. Names in order of merit; Niles Shantz, Plattsville; T.A. Wilson, Cannington; G. Tuttle, Woodstock; A.D. Robinson, Ingersoll; Zimmerman Bros. Tavistock; Jack Scollard, Brantford; Archie Haas, R.R. 6, Brantford; Albert West, R.R. 4, Woodville; Bob Brown, Galt; Harold Duffy, Ingersoll; Stan May, Hornby; W. McKenzie, Burford; Leslie Van Sickle, Middleport; Hugh Bradford, Dunnville; Bob Loveless, St.George; Bob Brown, Galt; F. Judd, R.R. 3, Simcoe; Edward Stoneman, R.R. 1, Caledonia; Tom McKenzie, Burford.

S. Review, Monday, Oct. 17, 1949, page 4

Make Plans Now For Plow Match

After the 36th IPM concluded, the 38th IPM in Oxford County was confirmed. In February of 1948 at the provincial plowmen's convention in Toronto, the Oxford delegation was unsuccessful in obtaining the event because the Ontario body did not plan more than two years ahead. In February of 1949, the county council chartered a bus, took two pipers and a drummer from the Ingersoll Pipe Band and swept into the convention floor with the most impressive delegation ever to confront the Ontario directors. Len Coles, County clerk, who was part of the delegation, by 1951 also treasurer of the local committee, introduced all the entire council and members of the group. Pipers were Major Alex Collins of Ingersoll and W.L. Pearson of Embro. Drummer Art Preswell of Ingersoll gave a drum roll before each introduction. Aldergrange Farm of John R. Hargreaves was chosen for the 1951 IPM. Traffic, Billeting, and Site of the banquet were major concerns. A Woodstock hotel had a suite of rooms already booked for an implement company who planned to exhibit. One of the greatest headaches was arranging for horse teams and tractors for contestants travelling a distance.

The Ingersoll Tribune, Thursday, Oct. 20, 1949, had a photo of Gerald Heeney,11, of Ingersoll at the IPM in Burford.

The Tribune, Nov. 3rd, 1949, had a story of a Jr. Farmer Plowing Match at Harrietsville, held on the Robbins Bros. farm on Oct. 19 (likely for Elgin Cty.). Kenneth Rath, Crampton won best plowed land in a tractor class. Murray Long won the boys under 20 class. Plowmen over 20 class won by Edward Wills, Thorndale; 2nd-Harry Blackman Jr. Ingersoll. Boys 18 to 24, tractors, placings: Beverly Long, Salford; Carlyle Wood, Ilderton; Wilmer Smale, Crampton.

Oxford Plowmen had a meeting Nov.2nd. Visitors in attendance were the General Chairman of the 1949 IPM, Kenneth Armstrong and Lenard McQuay, agriculture representative of Brant County. The purpose of the meeting was to get some inside information on the 1949 IPM and find out what moves to make in preparation for the 1951 match in Oxford; the responsibilities of the local committee and any other details of value. Armstrong responded it cost $2600 for transport, care, and feeding of teams. Their only source of revenue was from admission and parking fees for cars; this was affected by weather (rain). The extra day at the match gained them $2800. Armstrong said the General Chairman and the local committee Chairman need to have plenty of free time to spend on preparation. It cost $20 per tractor, $12 per team, and Insurance cost $5 per tractor.      The two most important positions were: Chairman of the tractor committee and Chairman of the ticket committee. Lands committee needs to be set up first. It is necessary to take a tough attitude to protect the financial interests of the local committee. Too many complimentary tickets had been passed around. After the large number of entries at 1949 IPM, the Ontario Plowmen's Association decided to limit competition in the big match to those who have qualified at county and branch matches. The demand for lands had put plowing competition for some classes beyond reasonable walking distance from headquarters area. Teams and tractors for 1000 entries puts a heavy load on the host county committee. It raised the standard of plowing for the biggest plowing match in the world to what it should be- experienced workmanship. It stimulated more interest in local county matches. At the Annual meeting of Oxford Plowmen, Dec. 20, 1949, J.A. Caroll was present to reside over the election of officers for 1950. Leslie Curry was still the auditor. A slate of 27 directors was elected. After entering the 1949 Oxford match and IPM 1949, Arthur E. Dale won the heart of 1949 host farmer's daughter Margaret Manson. After marriage, they were loyal leaders of the Oxford Plowmen. Art was Oxford's OPA director for many years and Margaret served as secretary-treasurer. Art passed away in 2005, Margaret, 22nd, January, 2018.

Mr. Frank Manson hosted the 1949 Oxford match 3rd Oct. (Monday) 3 miles south of Woodstock, west side of Hwy 59. Entries were up; again, a horse show was held and the prize list was $800. Match date was advanced so winners could participate at the IPM Burford in Brant County. There were 14 classes, four for horses, eight for tractors, and two special classes. The non-farmer class was retained and a mounted plow class added.
Sentinel Review, Tuesday, 4 Oct. 1949 pg. 5

Roscoe Buck Captures Oxford Plowing Title

Mr. Roscoe of Princeton was awarded the best plowed land with team or tractor, entitling him to enter the 1949 International Plowing Match at Burford later this month. Jim Innes, 16, R.R. 4, Woodstock was winner in the class open to Oxford county boys 16 years and under. Donald Duncan, 17, R.R. 1, Drumbo won the class for the best plowed land in jointer sod, horses only.

Results were as follows:
Sod,open- Alfred Dickie, Jerseyville; Karl Watson, R.R. 6, Forest; Russell Brush, R.R. 1, Forest.
Sod, open to Oxford county - Roscoe Buck, R.R. 2, Princeton; Fred Howard, R.R. 3, Woodstock, Russell Carter, R.R. 7, Woodstock.
Sod, open to Oxford county boys 17 years and under- Donald Duncan, R.R. 1, Drumbo; Murray Long, Salford.
Sod, no handling class- A.D. Robinson, R.R. 4, Ingersoll, Gordon Smith.
Sod, open- Albert Roberts, R.R. 2, Woodstock; J. Ferguson, Croton; William Lemery Jr., R.R. 3, Waterford.
Sods, 2 furrow plows, open to Oxford county plowmen- Jack Hargreaves; George Shearer, R.R. 3, Bright; Douglas McClintock, Brownsville.
Sod, 3 furrow, open to Oxford county- Ken Howard, R.R. 3, Woodstock.
Sod, no handling class, 2 furrow or 3 furrow- Ross Hargreaves, R.R. 1, Beachville.
Sod, row crop tractor class- Fred Bertrand, Oxford Centre; Ralph McCutcheon, R.R. 1, Beachville; Ross Brown, R.R. 2, Bright.
Sod, 2 or 3 furrow open to Oxford county boys, 16 years and under- James Innes, R.R. 4, Woodstock; Gerald Heeney, R.R. 2, Ingersoll; Robert Laird, Norwich.
Sod, open to Oxford county boys, 20 years and under- James Richardson, Woodstock; Bev Long, Salford; Hubert Little, Salford.
Sod, 2 furrow mounted plow class- Oxford county- Wayne Richardson, Woodstock.
Specials- Don Duncan, A. Roberts, Roscoe Buck, Ken Howard, James Innes, Jack Hargreaves.