Farm auctions from 1939, 1946 and 1959 show how we've changed
Here are three examples of farm auctions from the decades of the 1930s, 1940s and late 1950. These ads, from the Bluffton News, reveal several trends from a changing life on the farm.
The first, from 1939, is a sale by W.W. Huber. The second, from 1946, is the sale from William Kohli. The third, from 1959, is from Mr. and Mrs. Tom Robinson. The compete action ads follow at the bottom of this feature. We’ve listed a small selection of auction items below.
From 1939
Having decided to quit farming I will sell at public auction my farm 4 ½ miles south of Bluffton, 4 miles east and 1/2 mile south of Beaverdam, 4 miles west and 3 ½ miles north of Ada…W.W. Huber, owner.
Horses, sorrel gelding, 11 years old, wt. 1350, gentle and good worker; cattle, yearling Durham heifer; 13 ewes, seed oats, ear corn, high loader, 100 grain sacks, enameled South Bend malleable kitchen range, sausage grinder…
From 1946
Having decided to discontinue farming, I will sell at my farm, located on what is known as the “Old Sol Arnold Farm”…Wm. L. Kohli, owner.
15 head of cattle, milking machine, 1938 John Deere, Model A tractor, 500 bushels of good yellow corn, 800 bushels of oats, 20 tons of good mixed hay…
From 1959
Having sold our home and moving to Florida, we will sell our household goods and appliances at our home on Route 81 in Lafayette… Mr. and Mrs. Tom Robinson, owners.
Gibson deluxe push button stove with double oven and like new; very good Kelvinator double door refrigerator and freezer, self-defrosting; almost new Duncan Phyfe mahogany extension table and six chairs; library table, bass drum and other drums; antique walnut secretary.
