Dawson & Barkmeier Equipment Company
circa 1960s

Clarence Dawson and Walter Barkmeier entered into a partnership in 1947 and purchased a farm implement business in Exeter, Nebraska from Delphin and Clarence Clover and operated the business as Dawson & Barkmeier Equipment Company. They sold International Harvester tractors, combines and other farm implements for 28 years. In addition to selling International Harvester farm equipment, air conditioners and refrigerators, they also sold  Gleaner combines, Maytag washers and dryers, and parts and tools associated with an implement store. 

In 1953, following a consolidation of area school districts, the Exeter School Board solicited bids to contract for private busing of their students. The Dawson & Barkmeier Equipment Company was offered a contract for busing children to and from school and for all school related activities. They contracted with the School District for 22 years to provides these services.

Left to Right:
Walter Barkmeier, Clarence Dawson and Milo "Mike" Kubicek (head mechanic)

In 1975 Dawson and Barkmeier sold their implement business to Leonard and Doris Hall and retired. The implement business changed to the Steiger farm equipment line and was operated as Steiger Sales and Service. The busing component of the business was sold to A&M Incorporated that was owned by James Anderson and James McCabe. McCabe later sold his interest in the busing business to Anderson and after two years the business was sold to to Robert Mueller. Robert and Sharon Mueller operated the bus service for 40 years and sold A&M Incorporated in August of 2017 to Dean and Leesa Bartu.