MOUNT VERNON – The Knox County Agricultural Museum is pleased to announce the donation of several items from Mr. Mancel Roahrig, especially the stove from Tuma Run schoolhouse and a 1927 John Deere Model "D" tractor, John Deere's longest running production machine.
The major donation of both a stove and tractor reflect Roahrig's many years on a Knox County farm since 1960. Two larger implements, a fertilizer spreader and ensilage cutter, were involved in production of feed for the livestock.
His smaller donations are significant too, such as the carpenter's square and shingle-making "froe," which show that most farmers had to do their own construction of buildings and furnishings. The 10-gallon milk cans remind us that almost every farm family kept dairy cattle not only for their own household's use, but also sold products to the local "creamery" (there was one in every village) that distributed milk to townspeople and, most importantly, made butter — a valued cooking ingredient.
Finally, he donated an early 1900s-era sewing machine, complete with cabinet. Farm wives and daughters sewed their own families' clothes to be sure, but also produced many items for sale to their neighbors, supplementing the farm family's income.
Roahrig was born in Guernsey County but moved to Knox County as a young man in 1960. The Roahrigs concentrated in the sale of farm products from their diverse livestock of all kinds — beef and dairy cattle, hogs, sheep and chickens — typical of farmers in the post-war era. Customers could range from a Utica dairy to a Mount Vernon grain terminal. His father purchased the farm where the Tuma Run Schoolhouse was located north of Utica on Ohio Route 13.
The Tuma Run Schoolhouse had been moved from its original location to a suitable spot on the farm, where the former owner had used it as a tenant house. The Roahrigs relocated the schoolhouse once again to become one of their outbuildings, and the stove was moved to their garage. Roahrig noticed how useful it was keeping the building warm when the structure was used for a mid-winter farm auction.
"We are always pleased to receive donations of farm equipment, small tools, homemaking goods, documents, etc., that reflect how life was lived on farms and in Knox County farm communities over the past 200 years," Museum Committee Coordinator Greg Magers noted. "Mr. Roahrig's contributions reflect that era in a very striking manner, and we appreciate his generosity."
The Ag Museum is located on the Knox County Fairgrounds. Once COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are lifted in 2021, the museum can also be opened and guides provided for local groups, bus tours, etc. — even just a small group of interested individuals. Please call David Greer, corresponding secretary, at 740-504-4497 or see our website at theagmuseum.org.
The Ag Museum is managed by a committee of nearly fifty volunteers under the jurisdiction of the Knox County Agricultural Society (Fair Board). The main museum and most of its outbuildings are handicap-accessible.
