Confer was learning VP role

Twenty-five years ago this week, a Dunkirk resident was settling into his new role.

The Aug. 26, 1998, edition of The Commercial Review featured a story about Al Confer, then the president of the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association.

“Everyone gives him a hard time,” said Confer, indicating that the old adage that no one ever speaks to the vice president is untrue.

Confer, who served as a Tri-State director for decades, at that time had been involved for about five years. During the annual show in 1998 he was in the midst of teaching Doug Eltzkorn how to handle the engine area while learning his new job as vice president under then-president Ken Doherty. He said there had not been much time to shadow Doherty in addition to working to set up the show and driving three of his own Farmall tractors to Jay County Fairgrounds.

Even so, he said it was worth the work.

“It’s a good tired at the end (of the show),” Confer said. “I enjoy getting it set up, but I don’t think of it as a job. It’s a nice satisfying feeling knowing people want to come back and enjoy it.”

Confer had been involved with the show for several years before becoming a director and being assigned to the engine section. He was somewhat of an expert on engines, having worked on engines and tractors for years. Among his collection was a 1941 Sears steel-wheel garden tractor, a Farmall Regular (it was in pieces), a 1938 John Deere A, a Farmall B, a Farmall Super C and a Farmall Cub. He also had a few hit-and-miss engines.

“You meet fantastic friends and see a lot of engines and displays, tractors and parts,” Confer said of his favorite aspects of the Tri-State show. “The thrill I do get is people recognize me and knowing there’s a lot of volunteers to help out. If there were no volunteers, we’d have a lot tougher time.”