Billy Peyton

Since 1980, Donald and Linda owned and operated La Fortune Auction & Realty. Donald was very active in his community and involved in many organizations including Oconto Kiwanis Club, Oconto Copperfest Committee, Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Committee, National and Wisconsin Auctioneers Association, Wisconsin Realtors Association, Volunteer of Pensaukee Fire Department, and was a main contributor in restarting the satellite site for the CP telethon in Oconto.

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.

After working for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad in South Dakota, he opened an Auction House in Huron, which he and his wife owned until moving to the Stateline area in the 1960’s. Bill and Carol operated Miedema Auction in South Beloit, IL until 1980. He then continued auctioneering for many years with Beloit Auction Service, a family business. Bill was awarded the coveted Golden Gavel by the State of Wisconsin Auctioneers Association for his 50 years as an auctioneer.

Harold was a partner with his brothers, Jim and Jack, in Gavin Brothers, Inc., and later with his nephew, Robert Gavin. His passion in life was being an auctioneer.

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.