Harlen Persinger
SENTIMENTAL FAVORITE: In 1963, the U was basically retired and parked in the shed until 1985 when Gerald Priesgen’s brother-in-law, Donald Multhauf (shown), brought the tractor back to working condition. My Favorite Tractor: 1936 U is a family favorite.
When a model 1936 Allis Chalmers U rolled off the assembly line in West Allis, Wis., the brand-new machine remained on an area dealership lot for 24 months. Eventually, George Friday purchased the tractor but then sold it in 1940 to his neighbor Eugene Multhauf from Rubicon.
“At that time, my father-in-law farmed 120 acres and teamed the U with a model Allis Chalmers WC. It became his main workhorse and pulled the three-bottom International plow, Gehl chopper; handled disking, dragging and other tillage chores; plus operated a threshing machine for a local crew,” Gerald (Butch) Priesgen of Rubicon says.