Celebrating 125 Years - Memories

In 1881, Richard Schmidt emigrated from Germany to Atlanta, IL and began to work in a local blacksmith shop. In 1898 he purchased the shop and began to cultivate a legacy that would stretch far into the future of agriculture. Now, 125 years and 5 generations later, the company is still family-owned.

In 1926, under the 2nd generation leadership of Paul A. Schmidt, the business signed its first contract with J.I. Case, transforming the business from a simple blacksmith shop into a full-blown farm machinery dealership, with blacksmithing becoming a minor part of the operation. In 1952, Richard E. Schmidt returned home from the Korean War and joined the family business. Just over 40 years later, in 1970, Schmidt Implement Company was formed from Paul A. Schmidt.

Schmidt Implement Company, led by 4th generation Steve Schmidt, joined forces with long-time International Harvester veteran Bill Marcotte, who brought over 20 years of experience to the business. In 1992, the company further strengthened its Central Illinois foothold by merging with Evans Implement, and Dave Evans became a 3rd partner.

Another game-changing merger was soon to follow. George H. Dunn was a family owned Case IH dealership that opened its doors in downtown Farmer City in 1947. In 1973, the company incorporated and son-in-law Tim Reeser assumed part-ownership acquiring another location in Clinton, IL in 1977.

On January 1st, 2001, Schmidt-Marcotte Inc. and George H. Dunn Inc merged to create Central Illinois Ag, Inc. The company currently has locations in Atlanta, Clinton, Farmer City and a  parts and sales location in Mason City, IL. Family-owned to this day, active owners are Steve Schmidt, Michael Schmidt, Tim Evans, and Brian Reeser.