ROANOKE, Ill. — It’s not every day a tractor dealership turns a century old and when it happens it’s an event worth celebrating. On Saturday, June 28 current and past employees of Heritage Tractor, Martin Brothers Tractor and their families celebrated the business’ 100th year of providing central Illinois farmers with the equipment, service and advice. The public was invited for a picnic, antique machinery show and tour of their flagship facility in rural Woodford County. 

“A John Deere dealership notching a 100-year anniversary is definitely worth pausing and celebrating,” said Chris Dilday, general manager of Heritage Tractor. “There are an untold number of stories of hard work and accomplishment through all the ups and downs of life and agriculture to get to where we are today. Somebody poured their blood, sweat and tears into this for generation after generation to get where we are today

From its humble beginnings in Sam F. Martin’s basement workshop in rural Roanoke in 1926, Martin Brothers Tractors grew to become a leading Deere dealership in downstate Illinois, with locations added in Carthage, Pleasant Hill and other small, rural farming communities as the family business grew. The company’s sales and service staff was known for its experience and expertise, with many employees notching more than 30 years of service.

Martin Bros., operated by the Rogers family of Roanoke for the past several decades, offered a full line of new and used tractors, combines, sprayers, tillers, mowers, ATVs and other agricultural and home-use implements — mostly in the shade of Deere green. They also service nearly every make and model of machinery and offer parts and accessories on request. 

That tradition of service is now being carried on by Heritage Tractor, a Baldwin City, Kansas-based company that purchased Martin Bros. in January 2025. Heritage now operates 43 dealerships in Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas. 

“Heritage Tractor merged with Martin Tractor and Prairie State Tractor to become Heritage Tractor in Illinois. There are 20 locations now here in Illinois,” said Dilday in between serving cups of homemade ice cream churned by an antique Deere hit-and-miss engine to picnic goers. “There are a number of great employees here that are going to continue the legacy left by Martin. We are excited to continue the legacy with these good folks. The name may have changed on the front door but there are still a number of people here who have been with the company, in some cases, for 50 years or longer.”

Martin family members still reside in the old farmstead next to the business office and across the road from another agribusiness. Members of the Rogers family, including past general manager and CEO Ben and his father Gary attended the cookout and remain associated with the business. 

“We (at Heritage Tractor) are reaping the benefits of their hard work,” Dilday noted. “We need to stop and say thank you to everyone who got us here today.”

In addition, Heritage Tractor brought out its Traveling Tractor for the first time since 2024. Traveling Tractor brings together customers, employees, and local communities across the region to raise awareness and support for nonprofit organizations making a difference in local communities. In 2026, the journey continues across Illinois with new stops, community events, and charitable donations along the way. At each stop, Heritage Tractor donates $1,000 to local charitable entities. 

See the Traveling Tractor 2026 schedule at: https://heritagetractor.com/traveling-tractor/.