140 years ago, in 1884. South Dakota was still a territory, Mitchell was in its infancy and Mitchell Iron and Supply was born. Samantha Summers says her great, great, great grandfather, George Summers arrived from Wisconsin. “After he served in the Civil War and plotted here and started the business,” said Summers.” At 217 West First Avenue where it remains today still operated by the Summers family.
Samantha says it’s undergone a number of changes since its start. “Every generation has improved, moved with times,” Summers said. “moving from boiler works to tractors to machining, up to now where we are still holding the machining side of things in the parts.”
Five people staff the business, all family members. She says that’s the most rewarding part of the business. “Being with the family all the time, you know, you spend pretty well every waking moment with them,” said Summers. “But yes, serving the community, the customers, and just family in general.”
She says the next generation is waiting in the wings.