By Sue Hughes | For The Times-Post

MARKLEVILLE — When Gunner Boone, 20, was in the fourth grade, he knew what he wanted to do when he grew up.

He wanted to be an auctioneer just like his dad and his great-grandfather.

For him, reaching that goal has been a dream come true.

“I have been blessed to be around the auction business ever since I was born,” Boone said.

“I never considered any other occupations, I have always been fascinated by the auction business.”

Boone’s great-grandfather was Mort McShurley.

McShurley started an auction business in the 1950s east of Markleville. As he got older, he passed the business down to his grandson, Jeff Boone. Now Jeff and son Gunner are auctioneers at Jeff Boone & Associates Auction & Realty, which is located at the physical site called Mort’s Auction Field.

Gunner Boone, a 2020 graduate of Pendleton Heights High School, said he learned a lot about the business as he grew up, including the importance of the auntion chant, the mix of numbers and words auctioneers use during live auctions to lead the bidding.

“Dad and I had many conversations about the auction chant,” Gunner Boone said. “He taught me how to structure a chant and the importance of having your own style. From then on I knew I wanted to be an auctioneer.”

Gunner Boone eventually Reppert Auction School in Auburn, Indiana. The 10-day school trains future auctioneers on the laws and rules of the trade. The classes run 10 hours a day.

In January 2021, Boone took the 100-question state test to become licensed.

In addition to the auction field, the Boones also own the Cowpokes Work and Western store, which has locations in Anderson and Cloverdale.

Boone’s parents, Jeff and Lynnette, opened the first Cowpokes 30 years ago in Anderson and the Cloverdale store this year.

Lynnette runs the stores.

When he is not working the auction, Gunner Boone helps out with the stores.

The family sets up a booth at several conventions every year.

The biggest one is the North American Livestock Expo in Louisville.

They also attend the FFA convention in Indianapolis.

“We do about 30 or 40 auctions every year,” Boone said.

“We also sell real estate. The two go hand in hand. A farmer retiring may want to sell his land and equipment. We can do both.”

They also work two big auctions a year, one in spring and one in December.

“It’s not unusual to sell 1,500 items at a sale,” Boone added.

While Boone is running a live auction, he may also be looking at two computer screens for people who are bidding online.

He depends on his ringers — assistants working among the crowd — to help keep track of everything.

“Some auctions last nine hours. The auctioneers trade off every 30 minutes,” he said. “On auction day we may have as many as eight auctioneers working.”

“We’ve also done 2-day auctions.”

Online bidders can be from anywhere. They’ve had buyers from as far away as Mexico and Guatemala.

“Two men from Guatemala flew up to Ohio where they picked up a school bus, came over to us and got two RAV-4’s and drove it all back home.”

Boone and his family stay busy.

On Friday nights he and his dad help run a car auction in Indianapolis.

“We can do auctions at our field or we can go to the seller’s location. We have gone as far as Colfax and Bargersville to sell land.“

For the past two years, Boone has volunteered his time to do the live auctions at the Outfitter’s Gala.

Boone’s sister, Mackenzie also helps out with the family auctions.

Boone is quick to mention his family history and their values when talking about the business.

“Great-grandfather McShurley is why we are where we are,” Boone said. “He was a good Christian and an honest man.

“People trust us, they know our word is good,” he said. “We say a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance before every auction.

“We are a close family — we eat together and we work together.”