Our longtime Allis-Chalmers dealer, Robert Halverson, passed away Saturday. A huge number of orange tractors, Gleaner combines and New Holland hay equipment passed through his dealership. Many of you in the upper Midwest have probably seen a machine with his company name at a sale or in a salvage yard.
The back story to this is, Robert's father and uncles lived on a tenant farm adjoining ours. My grandfather purchased a WC and rotobaler and hired Robert's uncle Gene to operate it. Gene was so impressed he subsequently got himself an Allis-Chalmers dealership. Robert later began working for Gene, and took over the company after Gene's early death from cancer in the 1960's.
My understanding is that at one point he sold 50 combines in one year, ranging from K2 up to N7. Consider that range of capacities! He was also what was called a "stocking dealer" and many other dealers would come to him for parts. I feel fortunate to have been around to witness this, albeit I was quite young. I know some had complaints with him, but he always treated our family well and he was a childhood hero of mine.
http://graufuneralhomes.com/2017/05/robert-halverson-elkader-iowa-april-29-2017/
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