By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — Don Sansone’s ground has been wet, wet and wet; he farms near Carlinville, where Macoupin County has been deluged with rain.

While waiting to get into the fields, however, Sansone enjoyed getting out his 1206 International Harvester tractor and telling a few tales about this fourth-generation machine. His 1966 1206 diesel isn’t going anywhere now or ever, according to this farmer – it will stay on the farm as long as he does.

Sansone has wanted to farm since he was old enough to walk and has loved the IH brand for about as long. “My dad worked on IH tractors, and my uncle farmed with IH,” he explained.
His 1206 has a long history on the Sansone farm.

“I bought the 1206 new in 1967. Dad had an old M that we traded for the 1206; it was the only new tractor on the farm in 45 years,” he explained. “I was in the service when I bought it in the winter of 1967. I sent money every week and got out the winter of 1968. I wrote a check for $6,600.”

Farm roots came in handy while stationed in Korea, too. “I drove a truck; they needed a farm boy to drive,” Sansone said.

This is not his only IH tractor, though it is undoubtedly his favorite.
“Besides the 1206, I also have and use the 1962 560,” he said. “We bought the 560 from a John Deere dealer, Smith Equipment, in 1964. The Super MD 1952 is retired, though.”

Not long ago, the MD served as a backdrop for photos, when he and his wife, Donna, celebrated their 40th anniversary. And even grandson Dalton has the antique tractor “bug” – the 16-year-old junior bought an IH 300 after he got into the hobby, too.

Today, Sansone farms the same ground that his grandfather farmed many decades ago. “My grandpa moved here in 1921, and then my uncle lived here, then my cousin,” he said, pointing to the farmhouse where he and Donna reside. “Now, I live here.”

In the future, this landlord has promised that his son and grandson can live in the house. The farm is a family affair – Don’s son Dave farms with him, as does Dalton.

“(Dalton) plans to join in full-time after he graduates,” Dave said.
On the Sansone farm, the family grows corn, soybeans and a little wheat, puts up hay and raises beef cattle. Dalton has a few FFA show pigs, as well.

On the wall in Sansone’s basement, where his keeps his all IH toys, is a certificate of graduation from an ag course at the University of Illinois. He explained back when he was a kid, young farmers often had the chance to learn all about farming in a six-week course paid for by the local bankers. A few years after he graduated, he said they stopped the program, but Sansone thinks it was a great kick-start to helping him learn a lot about farming.