Sheridan, IN was home to O. T. Kercheval & Sons IH dealership. The building is still there at the corner of Main and 2nd Street, with the Kercheval name (1880 something, I think) at the top of it.In the 1950s, it seemed like every little hamlet in central Indiana had an IH dealership. Lots of other brands also, as most folks did all their trading, banking, etc., within 10-15 miles of home. For example, Sheridan had a population of about 2000, and featured IH, Deere, and Moline through the early 70s. Only Deere is left, as a branch dealership of a large operation. I can still remember going to Kercheval's as a little kid and seeing those big shiny H and M models in that small showroom, the two to four people who were BUSY behind the parts counter, and the sounds of the shop area as equipment was being assembled, repaired, or rebuilt. Everyone that worked there (and most of the folks who came through the door) knew Dad (and me) by name. As I got bigger, the tractors did also. The building remained the same, as did the way the operation was run. They sold us the stuff that kept our farm operation running, knew how to fix it (correctly!) when it needed repair, and stood behind what they sold. The entire community was saddened when the doors closed.
|