2023 Fall Farm Outlook Lincoln Daily News Oct 2023 Page 7 story was a complete wagon and buggy manufacturing facility. In 1915 a gas engine was purchased to run several machines once powered by hand. This was the beginning of automation for the business. Eventually, an electric motor replaced the gas engine further propelling the business into a full-blown factory. Paul Schmidt, son of Richard and Minnie, graduated from High School in Atlanta, and joined his father in the business. After serving a year in the armed forces during WW I, Paul returned to the business to find that Richard had added horse drawn devices to the blacksmithing line, manufactured by the Emerson-Braningham Company. The addition of horse drawn gang plows, sickle mowers, and disk harrows began the family farm implement business that is still thriving today. Paul took over the family business in 1926, following his father’s death. His first act as owner was to sign the first contract with the J.I. Case Company, formerly the EmersonBraningham Company, beginning 97 years of service to the local farm community. Paul and Ruth’s son, Richard E. Scmidt was born in 1927. The great Depression in the 1930’s put a halt to innovation and profitability. Few tractors and machines were sold at this time. The late 1930’s brought rubber tractor tires, Case two row corn pickers, and modern combines that could be pulled by a tractor. WW II saw production of farm equipment halted to produce war equipment. By the end of the war in 1946, Paul Schmidt had added a modern tractor shop, parts room, and an office facility. Paul’s son, Richard E. Schmidt graduated from Atlanta High School in 1946 and attended the University of Illinois for one year before returning to manage the family business. Continued --
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