About Ennis Implement

History of Ennis Implement

In March of 1947, James H. Ennis and his sons, Leon and Fowler, met with International Harvester Management at the Statler Hotel in St. Louis and finalized arrangements to become the dealer in Vandalia, Missouri. James H. and Leon moved to Vandalia in April and started training to prepare for the new business. 

At that time, the International Harvester contract in Vandalia was held by "Reed & Dempsey Company". Charlie Reed and Army Dempsey had opened a dealership for the company in the early 1930's. They conducted business on Main Street in Vandalia. They now entered into an agreement to sell the assets of the business to the Ennis Implement family.

On November 1, 1947, the doors were opened in a new building on East Highway 54 and the first Farmall H was sold to Averil Beshears of Vandalia. Fowler moved his family to Vandalia early in 1948. In 1952 the company moved to the present location, building a shop on land acquired in a tractor trade.

• James H. retired in July of 1960 and lived in retirement in Vandalia until his death in 1970. Leon and Fowler continued as partners until December, 1978, when Leon retired. Fowler’s son Phillip Ennis became a partner January 1, 1979 and moved his family back home in June of that year. A building program was started in 1979 and the present facility was ready to occupy in the spring of 1980.

  

  Many other product lines have been added over the years. Nationally recognized lines such as Cub Cadet lawn and garden equipment, Land Pride field and lawn equipment, Grasshopper mowers, Great Plains and others.

  In 1982, the company was chosen by Steiger Tractor as the dealer for this area. The first Steiger tractor, a PTA 310 (310 hp) was sold to Norad Enterprises. With the merger of J.I. Case and International Harvester, the partnership became a Case International dealer in February 1985.

  

• In August 2005, Phil's daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Kurt Childs, moved their family home and became part of the operation. Fowler retired from the day-to-day operation in September 2005.

  

  On May 15, 2007, Phil and Sheila, Kurt and Amy purchased and began operating the Case IH dealership in Mexico, MO. Kurt manages that facility, as everyone is enjoying getting to know a new community.

  

  The company has been blessed with good employees, good customers, and the good will of a fine agricultural community. Under such conditions, our history is off to a wonderful start and Ennis Implement looks forward to writing the next chapters with you.