Guess Farm Equipment Co. has a long history of quality service in the world of agriculture. Established in 1917 by Samuel Marvin Guess, the business, then known as Guess Hardware Company, began selling the John Deere Mule Plow as well as hardware from various suppliers. Mr. Guess was the fourth retailer of John Deere Farm Equipment in the world.
In 1933 Mr. Guess passed away and was succeeded in 1934 by his son-in-law, John Keitt Hane, Sr. In 1937, J.K. Hane, Sr. sold the first tractor, a John Deere Model A. Business grew and prospered under Mr. Hane, and in 1957 he was joined by his son, John Keitt Hane, Jr. This father/son team made the business even stronger and in 1958 Guess was the largest dealer in the southeast.
In 1977, the Hanes built the present location on Highway 601 North in St. Matthews, SC, a facility that is as fine as any in the industry. Also in that year, the business began selling center pivot irrigation systems, a business that has grown into the largest in South Carolina. In 1979, J.K. Hane, Sr. retired leaving his son in charge. J.K. Hane, Jr.'s innovative leadership took the business through its roughest era, the 1980s. As the sluggish agricultural economy of the era strained many Agri-businesses into closing, J.K. Hane kept Guess Farm Equipment strong by concentrating on the consumer products business and the irrigation business.
As things improved in the 1990s J.K. Hane began a campaign of growth that strengthened the business in order to serve a growing agricultural economy. In 1992, Mr. Hane was joined by his youngest son, David Guess Hane; making David the fourth generation in the business. Guess Farm Equipment continues to grow; in 1998 a new location in Hampton was incorporated to serve the lower part of South Carolina.
