Ed Brown
CEO, The Iowa Clinic, P.C.

Antique tractors

Ed Brown’s Oliver 77 tractor was born the same year he was — 1957 — at the Oliver tractor factory in Charles City. That same year, Brown’s stepgrandfather bought the shiny green tractor for the farm near Crossville, Ill. It would remain a family fixture at the farm for the next 46 years. 

“This tractor and I are like one; I grew up on it,” Brown said fondly, showing off the prize possession he keeps garaged near Valley Junction. “I first got on it with my dad when I was 7 and first drove it when I was about 14. I wasn’t tall enough to be able to push down all the way on the pedals.” 

Brown brought the tractor back to Iowa in 2003 after his stepgrandfather passed away. He and a friend rebuilt it using parts from an old Oliver tractor they bought from a farmer in Redfield. 

He also had it repainted by a person who paints tractors for the John Deere Museum. Another friend of his helped him build a wagon for it, using parts also made by Oliver. 

“This keeps me connected to the farm, to agriculture,” said Brown, who enjoys hauling a wagonful of kids during various parades, with big banners for the Iowa Clinic on the sides. “I think my employees get a little kick out of it, and they still have a hard time picturing me on the tractor,” he said.

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