Greentown Equipment Celebrates 50 Years

   Any business which has been around for 50 years has amassed many memories, both from owners and customers.  George and Carolyn Howell started Greentown Equipment on January 1, 1961 at the same location it is today, on East Uncle Tom Street.  They started out as an Allis Chalmers dealer and soon added Gleaner, Ford (New Holland), Bobcat and Kubota. and some other lines.     On March 15, 2011, about 250  current customers, retired farmers, and dealers enjoyed lunch and fellowship at the Community Building at the Howard County 4-H Fairgrounds. As Dan Adams, Sales Representative and employee for the past 38 years, observed, when a business has been in existence 50 years, it is serving the 3rd generation in many instances. 
   One such family is the Middlesworths of Swayzee.  Darrell Middlesworth (now deceased) bought an Allis Chalmers D-19 in 1964 from Greentown Equipment.  His sons Max and Danny and grandson Brett continue the family farm, planting corn, soy beans and tomatoes.  They continue to look to Greentown
Equipment for their equipment needs.  Their most recent purchase was a 1300 bushel auger wagon.  They comment that salesmen and service managers have become friends. Some who are retired still stop at the farm to visit.  The Middlesworths praise the business, saying, “They keep the personal touch.  You are not just a number.”  They also noted that, as they are the 3rd generation of customers, they also have worked with 3 generations of Howells, first George, then his son Brad, and now Brad’s son Zach.