Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

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Freese Motors, lnc., the Ford and Mercury dealership
at 315 East Main Street in Anamosa, opened its
doors in October of 1983. Ron Hunt moved from
Freese Motors in Monticello to become manager and
salesman in the new facility. Kevin Ellison of Wyoming,
Iowa, began his duties as service technician in
December of I983. In June of I985 Jeff Marek ioined
the staff. The business is located in the former Tony
Shada building, now owned by Freese Realty, Inc. of
Monticello.
Back row: Bob Capron, Kevin Ellison, Jeff Marek, Thayne Good.
Front row: Maive Ashley, Ron Hunt.
Freese Motors, Inc.
315 E. Main St.
Anamosa, la.
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The story of how a successful salesman of Surge Milkers lost a
iob because of the great 1930 depression, and how another
successful business arose out of that depression; and the Anamosa
Livestock Auction was founded by Delbert Brickley and his three
sons, Lloyd, Melvin and Richard.
It was suggested by a friend, Lee Beebe, iust home from Auctioneer‘s
School, that a consignment auction be undertaken. With
the help of friends, the first sale was held on the platform of an
outside dance floor at the Anamosa Fairgrounds. Consignments of
all kinds were brought in for the sale. Small pick-up trucks of all
discriptions carried a coll or a pig from farmers around.
One interested party, Walter Franz, of Stanwood, contributed
miscellaneous articles such as a load of apples, potatoes and fruit,
some harness and even furniture. lt all sold well. The auction
brought crowds of people to town on Saturdays, the day of the
sale. A Mr. Fisher, a shoeman, approved of the customers it
brought to town. Merchants were upset at first, but soon it developed
into a full scale livestock auction and was held in the old fair
livestock pavillion. Seats were built for the buyers and a solid
auction ring. Delbert was charged $1.00 for rent of the entire fair
grounds by Arthur Remley, fair board member.
The Hybrid Seed Corn Co. took over the Fairgrounds in I934 for
$3500.00, so the sale barn had to move. A new barn was built out
of native lumber at the end of Division St., on property bought
from Mrs. J. E. Remely. Sales were held there until 1947, when
land was purchased from the Hybrid, and a new barn was built at
the site where it stands now.
The livestock Auction was sold to Mr. Bricl-iley's son-in-law, Eli
Shada, when he retired in I969. Eli used it as a dual facility, selling
both western feeder cattle and having general livestock sales
on Saturday.
In October of 1970, the pavillion and most of it's enclosed pens
were totally destroyed by fire. The following week a ternpory office
and scales were erected, and the construction of a new facility
was begun immediately. Charles "Chick" Seehusen bought fat hogs
on a daily basis, and Eli continued to handle western cattle during
this period.
In March of 1971, the first sale in the new barn was held, billed
as a "Special Cattle Sale", Paul 8. Ralph Paulson of Scotch Grove
consigned 650 head of yearling steers. This was the largest single
consignment ever. There was standing room only, as no seats were
erected yet.
Specializing mostly in cattle sales, the largest run came in November
of I900, when I522 head crossed the scales. The sole lasted
from noon until 8:30 P.M. that nite.
Today most of the sales are private treaty sales of western feeders
by Eli and his son Chuck. Special native sales are held each fall
and spring.
Some of the well-known faces associated with the sale barn
include truckers,Wray 8 Dewayne Warthen, Arden Achenbach,
and Terry Brickley. Doris Brickley and Nadine Brady are the secretaries,
Jim Armstrong is barn manager. Soles are held every
Saturday at 1:00 P.M.
ANAMOSA LIVESTOCK AUCTION
382