William “Bill” Edward Miedema

Jeff began auctioneering at a young age and later joined his father’s business, Robert E. Martin and Sons Auctioneering. For many years he worked alongside his father, brother, and cousin Randy Ranck, conducting auctions throughout Lancaster County. Jeff loved to volunteer his auctioneering services to benefit local organizations he cared deeply about. For the past several years he auctioneered at Farmersville Auction.

Emma Bailey was an American auctioneer and author, credited with being the first American woman auctioneer. She held her first auction in Brattleboro, Vermont, on May 12, 1950, as a way to supplement her family’s income. In 1952 she became the first woman admitted to the National Auctioneers Association. She continued auctioneering for nearly 20 years and wrote a book about her experiences, entitled Sold to the Lady in the Green Hat (1962), before retiring in the late 1960s.

In 1958 Jim entered the auction business and later earned his real estate broker license. He was actively involved in real estate development in the Chippewa Valley.

R.A. lived a long and storied life in which his living presence was larger than life itself. The ambition he showed and the knowledge he possessed garnered people’s admiration and respect in all he did. He held a very strong work ethic and loved every moment he spent working when he owned and operated Thiel Real Estate and Thiel & Thiel Auctions. He was a member of the National & Wisconsin Auctioneers Associations, and the Wisconsin Real Estate Association.