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.
