The following story originally appeared in the Dec./ Jan. 2026 edition of Oliver Heritage magazine. Longtime dealership owner Katy Koenig dropped by the Republic- Monitor last week and asked if the newspaper might be interested in running the piece. It wasn’t a difficult decision to make because of the impact the Perryville Oliver Co. and its owners have made on Perryville and the surrounding area for many decades. – Editor
In 1942, August Berkbuegler opened a dealership in Perryville to sell Cletrac and Oliver Hart-Parr — the beginning of Perryville Oliver Company. At that time, Oliver and Cletrac were still separate companies, remaining that way until 1944.
The wooded areas and rolling hills of Missouri’s Southeastern Ozarks, and areas like it, helped make the Cletrac line quite popular. The rich soil of the Mississippi River bottoms in the Chester and Perryville areas further provided a near-perfect market for Oliver’s extensive lineup. Perryville Oliver Company was in an ideal location to meet the equipment needs in what remains a very industrious and productive part of America’s Heartland.
ERWIN “SPEED” BUCHHEIT
The mid-1940s were busy times for America and its factories while supporting the war effort. By 1947, over 12 million American servicemen and women had returned home from World War II. Three-time Bronze Star recipient Erwin Buchheit married August’s daughter. Sylvia Berkbuegler, in 1941. A few years later, in 1945, Erwin returned home from serving in the United States Army and joined his father-in-law at Perryville Oliver Company. By 1955, he had become full owner. A bulletin from the St. Louis Branch dated Sept. 19, 1952, spoke highly of the (then) 10-year-old Perryville Oliver Company and its founder:
“Dealer Bulletin No. 152.
“Subject: S.O.S. Campaign
“Dear OLIVER Dealer:
“August “Gus” Berkbuegler; Oliver Dealer at Perryville, MO, told me the following story during his visit to the St. Louis office this week.
“Gus had heard that a Mr. Albert Abernathy of Perryville, who had purchased a competitive make tractor and plow this spring, was not too well satisfied with the plow. Gus stopped by to call on Mr. Abernathy and “just happened” to have a #100-2lbase, 12” Plowmaster on his truck. When asked if he was through with his fall plowing, Mr. Abernathy admitted in disgust that he wasn’t, but that the ground was so hard his new plow wouldn’t go in the ground.
“Gus asked for permission to put his Plowmaster in the field that was ‘too hard to plow.’ Abernathy’s eyes were opened by a good plowing job done in the same soil his own plow wouldn’t penetrate. Gus plowed several rounds at an average depth of nine inches. The result — Abernathy gave Gus a check for the plow; no trade-in. The customer wanted that Plowmaster so badly that he was willing to keep his used plow.
"If Gus had attempted to sell Mr. Abernathy the Plowmaster over the counter in his store, you can bet your bottom dollar the used plow would have come into the deal at a pretty high figure. By “work testing” the Plowmaster, Abernathy was able to see its superiority, and his desire for ownership outweighed his desire to drive a hard bargain. This example not only shows what can be done by a dealer who is aggressively following every lead for a work test, but also gives evidence contradicting the statement we have heard so often lately, ‘It’s just too hard and dry to plow.’
“Current standings in the S.O.S. Campaign are attached, showing points earned to date. Are you satisfied with your position?
“Sincerely yours,
“The OLIVER Corporation
“St. Louis Branch
“(Signed - EC Hood)
“Sales Promotion Manager”
AN OLIVER GIRL’S CHILDHOOD
Katy (Buchheit) Koenig’s memories of Perryville Oliver Company go back to her youngest days, sweeping floors, exploring every aisle and corner of the shop, as well as attending presentations and customer events. Some of her best memories are riding in the company truck to Charles City, St. Louis, and Peoria, Ill., with her dad or grandpa for parts and equipment. Unlike today’s four-lane interstate highways, those journeys were on much slower, two-lane roads and often took all day; quite the adventure for a youngster.
It is easy to see how Katy’s love for the Oliver brand took root at a very young age, growing stronger and more passionate over the years.
NEW GIRL AT THE PARTS COUNTER
Katy advanced to the parts counter in 1958 when she was a freshman in high school. How many of us remember how things used to be prior to computers and barcodes? Before the “age of technology,” parts counters had indexed manuals organized by brand and model; “hard copy” in today’s lingo. Behind the counter were aisles with floor-to-ceiling wooden cubbyholes for parts, with the corresponding catalog number written on the part bin.
Katy quickly realized she had a gift of memorizing part numbers, and quite often she would bring the needed part to the counter without even opening a parts manual. In fact, to this day, Katy still knows numerous part numbers.
THE RUNAWAY CAR
Taken from the Oliver Green Light, dated August 1966:
“A freak traffic accident occurred at 7:20 a.m., early Monday morning, Aug. 1, 1966, when an unoccupied 1963 Buick sedan rolled down W. North Street and into the large plate glass window of the Perryville Oliver Co. building in Perryville.
“The automobile was owned by Herbert L. Hennemann, and he apparently had parked the vehicle in front of the Kiefner Lumber Company building moments earlier. The car went a block before hitting the front of the business, shattering the glass with a terrific crash.
“There were no injuries, but damage was extensive to the auto and storefront.”
KATY KOENIG BECOMES PART OWNER
Having worked at Perryville Oliver company for nearly two decades, Katy purchased half the company from her father, Erwin, in 1975. How wonderful to be part owner of a multigenerational business! Katy’s son, Alan, also worked at the dealership from 1975 to 1999. The family business spanned four generations during that time.
STIHL
Many Oliver owners have always needed and valued a good chainsaw. The woods surrounding Perryville necessitated the use of axes and hand saws for forestry management for many generations. Within a few short decades, following their commercial availability, gas-powered chainsaws became immensely popular. Perryville Oliver Company seized the opportunity and added STIHL chainsaws to the lineup; farm equipment and chainsaws went well together under the same roof.
PETER STIHL VISITS
By the early 1980s, not only was Perryville Oliver Company the “go-to” place for Oliver equipment, but it stood out amongst its peers for STIHL chainsaw sales and service. So much so that (Hans) Peter Stihl traveled from Germany to visit Katy, her family, and her service techs in the ‘80s. Peter’s father, Andreas Stihl, is known as the “father of the chainsaw.”
KATY BECOMES FULL OWNER
After nearly 60 years at Perryville Oliver Company, Erwin Buchheit retired in 2000 and sold his remaining half-ownership to Katy. One keepsake, among several, that Katy still has from her dealership is an index card file, complete with serial numbers for each piece of equipment that passed through the Perryville Oliver Company. The cards remain neatly organized by a customer’s last name, a historical treasure trove.
THE SUN SETS ON PERRYVLLE OLIVER CO.
While in Perryville to interview Katy, I went past the old dealership to take a few photos. My Irish luck prevailed, as the old building had been fenced off and slated for demolition that was to take place within a few short days. The business was closed, Katy was retired, and by the time this article goes to print, the building that served Perryville Oliver Company for 60 years will be gone. But wait — there’s more! ONE piece of equipment remained unsold, with no index card, until the year 2022.
THE DEALERSHIP’S OLIVER 550
Charles City built and delivered a brand new 550 to Memphis, Tenn., on June 12, 1961. Shortly thereafter, the new 550 made its way to Perryville.
Many of us know firsthand how useful the 55s, Super 55s, and 550s were — and still are. The little 550 quickly filled an important role at Perryville Oliver Company. The dealership outfitted it with a loader that accommodated pallets for moving, unloading and loading skids of parts and equipment.
Not only was the 550 a reliable fixture at the dealership, but service tech Edward Schnurbusch (Junior) often used it around town for blade work and plowing gardens. I am certain that today, many in the Perryville community have fond memories of Junior on the Oliver 550. I miss the days when so many businesses had such a close relationship with the community!
In his youth, Junior served in the National Guard. He retired in 1995 after many years at Perryville Oliver. Meanwhile, the unsold 550 remained at the dealership, where it continued to serve a key role until the dealership closed when Katy retired in 2002.
Shortly thereafter, the little Oliver made its home with Katy’s son, Alan. However, the “unsold” Oliver made its way back to Katy and her husband, Larry, in 2004, where it was shedded and cared for; technically, still belonging to Perryville Oliver Company. That held true until the year 2022, when the Oliver 550 was sold to family friend Mike Ponder of Perry County and his brothers, Ronnie and Dan.
It’s not a far stretch to conclude this little 550 with just over 1,100 hours may be one of, if not the last, Oliver tractor sold by an Oliver dealer to a customer; a new owner who now provides a home to one of Oliver’s highest production models, and one with a VERY special story!
Perryville Oliver Company is now part of Oliver’s history. Katy and her family have earned the right to be proud of their family business. Since retiring, Katy has been enjoying country life and her family. During my visit to their home, Larry took time to show me several Oliver toys from his personal collection. However, it is with sadness that I must inform you of Larry’s passing on Oct. 12, 2025, while finalizing this article. May he rest in peace.
