06/05/2026
The Owensby Antique Tractor Collection: A Legacy of Grit, Faith, and Iron: Nestled in rural Pennsylvania, the Owensby Antique Tractor Collection stands as more than an extraordinary display of restored machinery — it is the life’s work of a man whose story embodies perseverance, craftsmanship, and the American Dream.
From the Great Depression to Determination
James Owensby was born on October 23, 1935, in Fairview, Buncombe County, North Carolina, during the Great Depression, to the late Fulton Joseph Owensby and Evelyn (Hess) Owensby. In 1941, his father purchased land on State Line Road in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, where he built the family home and established a sawmill — located where State Line Machine stands today.
From an early age, James and his brothers worked before and after school at the family sawmill, learning discipline, responsibility, and the value of hard work. Life would test James early. At just eleven years old, his shirt became caught in a saw blade, pulling him through the mill in a devastating accident. He suffered a fractured leg, arm, skull, and serious back injuries. Treated at Chester County Hospital, he remained hospitalized for months. Despite these life-altering injuries and completing only an eighth-grade education, James refused to let hardship define him. Instead, it strengthened his resolve.
Building a Business — and a Reputation: In 1953, tragedy struck again when the sawmill burned down. Undeterred, Fulton J. opened F.J. Owensby Excavating. James and his brothers immersed themselves in the business, learning the principles of relentless work ethic and giving “110%” in everything they did. By 1963, the brothers established Owensby Brothers Excavating, which grew into the largest excavating firm in the tri-state area. Their work helped shape major regional landmarks, including Granite Run Mall, Christiana Mall, and Wilmington Hospital. James became known not only for his expertise in heavy equipment but also for integrity and dedication. He was a proud member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 542, Rough and Tumble Engineers Historical Association, the International Watch Fob Association, the Oliver Hart-Parr Club, the Caterpillar Club, and the Historical Construction Equipment Association, among others.
A Passion for Crawler Tractors: While excavation was his profession, restoration was his passion. Alongside his devoted wife of 66 years, Patricia, James traveled the country in search of rare memorabilia and antique machinery. Their shared adventures built what would become one of the most respected private collections of crawler tractors in the country.
Housed in a 90-foot pole barn and basement described by many as a “museum,” the collection features fully restored Cletrac and Monarch crawler tractors, along with Caterpillar and C.L. Best models. These machines represent the evolution of tracked equipment that transformed agriculture and construction in the early twentieth century.
James earned a reputation as the number one restorer of crawler tractors in the nation. His meticulous attention to authenticity, mechanical precision, and historical accuracy brought iron relics back to life. For him, restoration was about more than machinery — it was about preserving stories, craftsmanship, and the spirit of innovation.
The collection also includes dealer signage, watch fobs, construction toys, and period literature, creating a comprehensive tribute to industrial history. Collectors, clubs, and friends frequently visited, drawn by both the machines and the man behind them.
A Hidden Treasure of Industrial History: The Owensby Antique Tractor Collection remains a powerful symbol of one man’s journey — from a boy injured in a sawmill during the Great Depression to a respected businessman and nationally recognized restorer.
The crawler tractors he so carefully revived once helped build America’s farms, roads, and cities. In restoring them, James preserved not just iron and steel, but the spirit of determination that shaped his own life.
His legacy lives on in every polished gear, every carefully painted track, and every visitor who walks into that barn-turned-museum and feels transported to a time when grit, faith, and hard work built both machines — and men.
A Legacy of Faith: James and his wife, Patricia, attended First Baptist Church of Pequea in Gap, Pennsylvania. James often attributed his success in life to his faith in God and his personal relationship with Jesus Christ as his Savior. Through hardship, perseverance, family and business his life stands as a testament to the values that defined both the man and the remarkable collection he built.
•Owensby Antique Tractor Collection •Historic Multi-Auction Event
Rentzel's Auction Service Inc. will be honored to conduct a series of auctions to distribute the massive and renowned James & Patricia Owensby Antique Tractor Collection. This extraordinary collection — built over decades through passion, dedication, and meticulous restoration — represents one of the most significant private assemblages of crawler tractors, construction memorabilia, and industrial antiques in the country.
•First Auction
Saturday, June 27, 2026 featuring toy trucks, trucking memorabilia and truck sales brochures. Live In-Person Bidding & Online Bidding Available. Online bidding and full auction details can be found at:
www.rentzelsauctionservice.com. Auctions will be held at Rentzels Auction House in Mt Wolf. York Co. PA. Due to the sheer size and scope of the Owensby Collection, it is anticipated that 15 or more auctions will be required to fully disperse this historic assemblage.
Collectors can expect to see:
• Fully restored Cletrac, Monarch, Caterpillar, and C.L. Best crawler tractors
• Rare construction and agricultural memorabilia
• Vintage showroom displays and dealer signage
• Watch fobs and advertising pieces
• Construction toys and historical literature
• And much more from the Owensbys’ 90-foot “museum” barn
This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of industrial history from one of the most respected crawler tractor collections in the nation.
Further auction dates and catalogs will be announced as the series continues.
