Mr. Heaton was on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson at the age of 97, and can be seen on Youtube.
Suggested edit: By SHIRLEY MARLOWAUG. 19, 1987 12 AM
A 200-horsepower tractor has replaced the power of three horses hitched to his plow, but it's the love of farming rather than new technology that has kept 97-year-old Merritt Heaton active on his 235 acres near Toulon in northwestern Illinois. "I might retire but I won't quit working," he said. "In the spring you'd get uneasy and restless. There's no better place to be than on the farm to see nature--new life." Heaton, who began farming in 1913, was honored as Illinois' oldest active farmer in ceremonies at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. He grew up on his father's farm and said he never considered another occupation. "You have to have the interest and delight in farming," he said. "I love the challenge." A widower since 1972, Heaton lives alone. But his son, Hayden, 78, lives 1 1/2 miles away and helps run the farm.
Contributor: Elsie Harmon (47030676)
Suggested edit: YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/1t8-x3uOSqY
Contributor: Rev BJ Friley (49649095)

Mr. Heaton was on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson at the age of 97, and can be seen on Youtube.
Suggested edit: By SHIRLEY MARLOWAUG. 19, 1987 12 AM
A 200-horsepower tractor has replaced the power of three horses hitched to his plow, but it's the love of farming rather than new technology that has kept 97-year-old Merritt Heaton active on his 235 acres near Toulon in northwestern Illinois. "I might retire but I won't quit working," he said. "In the spring you'd get uneasy and restless. There's no better place to be than on the farm to see nature--new life." Heaton, who began farming in 1913, was honored as Illinois' oldest active farmer in ceremonies at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. He grew up on his father's farm and said he never considered another occupation. "You have to have the interest and delight in farming," he said. "I love the challenge." A widower since 1972, Heaton lives alone. But his son, Hayden, 78, lives 1 1/2 miles away and helps run the farm.
Contributor: Elsie Harmon (47030676)
Suggested edit: YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/1t8-x3uOSqY
Contributor: Rev BJ Friley (49649095)