On Saturday, August 11 at 10:00AM, we are conducting an auction for the estate of Samuel (Sam) Ellson of rural Mantorville.  This will be one of the iconic rural auctions that people remember from the past.  Mr Ellson passed away in a chair in the same house where he was born 87 years earlier.  Mr Ellson was never married and lived in this home with his parents until their deaths.  Mr Ellson loved music and spent his life as a church organist and director of the bell choir at church in Berne.  Mr Ellson was the founder of the cherished Berne “Swissfest”.  Mr Ellson was also an ardent stamp collector with 30 albums of Swiss, European, American, plate blocks, etc. Items range from Sam’s grandfather’s WWI gas mask to Sam’s Korean war uniform, to Sam’s grandmother’s china, and so on.  In addition to all the unusual items you might expect at a county auction, there are many items of interest to people of Swiss heritage, including a set of handbells, books on yodeling and alphorn playing, cuckoo clock, Swiss music boxes, and all sorts of interesting items of all kinds.  There are also some very nice pieces of antique furniture and a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis with 80000 miles.   Be sure to make plans to attend.  See lots more pictures in the photo gallery.