In 1909, Oakland farmers J.R. Cheney and C.B. Ames purchased steam-powered engines and plows in order to “experiment” with the technology.

In November 1909, two prosperous Oakland farmers, J.R. Cheney and C.B. Ames, announced they would “try the experiment of plowing with machinery.”

They purchased steam-powered traction engines (tractors) and plows, in theory enabling them to do this work without mules or horses. At the time, these engines would have cost about $675 – worth about $2,800 in today’s money – and weighed about 10 tons without water.

– “Way Back When in Warren County” is compiled by researchers at the Warren County Public Library and appears twice weekly in the Bowling Green Daily News. For more information about the library, visit warrenpl.org.