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Ken Smithson bought his first new truck - an International S160 - on June 4, 1956. Classed as a one-and-a-half ton, Ken found it more in line with a three-ton Ford or Chevrolet. Like many fellow farmers, Ken did not have the luxury of dedicating his days strictly to farming. Nineteen hundred and fifty-six found him hauling gravel for his older brother Ted. Ken required a powerful and reliable truck. Their next brother in line, Ronnie, ran the loader at Ted's gravel pit. And their youngest brother Lloyd hauled with Ken and Ted.2
Ken Smithson, left, and fellow trucker Bob Schmidt, in June 1956 with Ken's 1956 International S160.1956
Gravel pit north of Big Valley, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Ken Smithson
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Purchased from Neville Roper's dealership in Rimbey, Alberta, Ken was delighted with his acquisition. When Ted traded in his own two trucks later that fall, he bought two new Internationals. That winter, the brothers worked at the Warburg, Alberta coalmine, hauling coal.4
Ken Smithson's daughter Judy on the fender of Ken's 1956 S160, box built up for hauling coal.1956
Ken Smithson's farm, north of Rimbey, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Ken Smithson
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By the following spring, 1957, Lloyd Smithson had finished school and turned 18. Lloyd and Ronnie together bought a fourth International, which Lloyd drove. Eventually, all the brothers jointly purchased another truck, dubbed 'the Mogul". Between the four of them, they now owned a fleet of five International trucks, hauling coal, gravel or lumber - whatever was required.6
1960 photo of six International trucks belonging to the four Smithson brothers.1950s
46th Street, Rimbey, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Ken Smithson
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The above photo shows the Smithson brothers' fleet of International trucks, loaded with 45,000 feet of lumber. The trucks, from left to right: Ted's truck; Lloyd's and Ronnie's; another truck owned by Ted; the Mogul, jointly owned by all four brothers; Ken's 1956 S160; and Ted's half-ton. On top of the Mogul load are Ted's sons, George and Phil Smithson. Judy Smithson, Ken's daughter, stands on The Mogul's fender. The three drivers standing in front of the half-ton are, from left to right, Red Pillsbury, Evert Kruse, and Lloyd Smithson.Eventually, the trucking industry changed, forcing out owners of smaller trucks. Ken had a choice: either buy a new tandem at a cost he could ill afford, or leave trucking altogether. In 1968 Ken sold his current truck and went to work for the County of Ponoka, driving a cat in road construction.
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