WRIGHT COUNTY implement
Clarion, Iowa
Years of Operation: 1959 - 1990
Years of Operation: 1959 - 1990
Lavern Baldus and Loren Courtney purchased the local Massey Ferguson implement dealership from Amos Sands in 1959. By October that year, they were operating as Wright County Implement. They began with the Massey Ferguson and New Holland lines that Sands already carried and then acquired the Oliver farm machinery franchise before 1961. The dealership's first employees were Gary Hill, Anno Terhark, and Gene Elston followed by Roger Grandgeorge, Arlyn Toundrum, Gary Thomas and many part-timers like Gary Lund, Daryl Zwiefel and others. In 1966, the dealership earned the Oliver Corporation's Presidents Honor Council award. One unique Oliver machine around the dealership was actually a custom loader setup installed on an Oliver 88 tractor. According to Vern Baldus, "My fun project was the 88 Oliver. I put a loader over the rear wheels and reversed the seat and controls to operate it backwards. which was always a curiosity when someone saw it. It was very helpful to unload trucks and set up equipment. We referred to the rig as the 'Backwards Tractor' and used it to unload 100's of truck/train loads of equipment over many many years."
The 'Backwards Tractor' survived the closing of the dealership and sits in disrepair today.
In August of 1969, the dealership needed more space so they acquired a 60' x 100' building that was across the road. The only issue was it had to be moved across the road, which happed to be State Highway 3! A building mover accomplished the task early one morning with the assistance of the local police to block the highway while the move took place.
In 1980, the dealership was sold to Roy Drewis and he continued to operate the business as Wright County Implement with the White Farm Equipment lineup for the next decade. On February 20, 1990, Wright County Implement had their close-out auction.
In 1980, the dealership was sold to Roy Drewis and he continued to operate the business as Wright County Implement with the White Farm Equipment lineup for the next decade. On February 20, 1990, Wright County Implement had their close-out auction.
Wright County Implement shown in the mid to late 1970's as the "WM" White Motors signage in the euclid green color scheme is on the front the dealership and pole for signage.
The building move across Highway 3 underway in August 1969.
DEALERSHIP ADS
Ad from 1966 for the Open House held at the dealership
