Our History

Henry Apple was a pioneer. Not in the sense of crossing the country in a covered wagon to homestead new land, but in creating new ways of thinking about farming. Even as a teenager, living in the days of horse versus machine, Henry was inventing new and better ways of helping the farmer be more productive and earn a better income from his land.

Henry’s father Alfred was a thresher, so Henry came by his love of farming naturally. Growing up in the lush farmlands of west-central Ohio, Henry soon began to influence other farmers and farming methods throughout the State, and into eastern Indiana. He was a natural born leader with a gift for invention, and an ability to make others see that his “new fangled” ideas and innovative ways were good, progressive, and beneficial.

In the mid-’40s, Henry created a design to make a better forage harvester. He used a Continental Engine, parts taken from a WWII Tank half-track, a Massey Harris 101 rear end, a Chevrolet steering axle, and a Gehl FH84 with TR83 two-row corn attachment. This was the beginning of self-propelled harvesters that are common today but not seen in the mid century. His children remember him “driving his masterpiece out of the barn and somebody from the newspaper came and took a picture of it.”

Soon, other farmers curious about the new machine began to gather at the Apple place to see what Henry was up to. The young farmer/inventor not only drew publicity, he captured the imaginations and respect of other farmers. Henry was making life better, he was also making work more efficient for these dedicated men and women who farmed.

The Gehl Company offered Henry a dealership in 1956, and a new business was born. Always the inventor and the innovator, Henry Apple influenced not only the farm community, but he also inspired his family. From a small shop on Henry’s farm, originally known as “Apple Chopper Service,” the business has grown to its four current locations in Covington, Botkins, Mechanicsburg and West College Corner, Indiana. The company now stocks parts and farm equipment from more than 100 manufacturers, all chosen for their quality and innovation – the same hallmarks that drove Henry throughout his lifetime.

Henry passed away in 1996, but over the years, Apple’s size, reputation, and strength in the community has grown steadily.

Today, the proverbial “Apple” has not fallen far from the tree. Henry’s son Bill is the company’s President and CEO, while his wife Linda is heavily involved in the office.  Their son, Matt, joined the company in 2000. They each continue the tradition and the beliefs of Henry in making Apple Farm Service a family-run, customer-focused company that deals with quality products, excellent service and parts professionalism.