May 3, 2017

By the Minutes: Ixonia Mutual Founded 1875

Founding minutes of Ixonia Mutual Insurance Company, Ixonia, Wisconsin

By HOWARD WIEDENHOEFT

Three years after the state of Wisconsin passed a law allowing the formation of town mutual insurance companies, land owners in the Town of Ixonia gathered to form a mutual. On Saturday, November 6, 1875, 31 owners of land collectively valued at $32,250 met in Ixonia Center and formed Ixonia Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

The new organization elected John Gibb to serve as chairman and F.V. Piper as secretary. These men formed the board of directors along with Ferdinand Gauerke, Fred Huebner, Carl Pautz, John Lindemann and James McCall. The directors were charged with drafting a code of bylaws to govern the organization.

On November 13, 1875, the Articles of Organization and Bylaws were read and approved by members of Ixonia Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Similar to those of Watertown Mutual Fire Insurance Company in the nearby Town of Watertown, the bylaws followed the guidelines established by the Wisconsin Chapter 103.

According to Ixonia Mutual’s minutes, the bylaws additionally stated:

The policy would be void if a fire was caused by ashes stored in a wood container within 40 feet of the insured building.
Insured property owners were required to pay one dollar to become a member and 75 cents for a policy fee.
The company would not be liable for damage caused by a hop house during drying season or from use of a steam engine on the premise.
The maximum amount allowed on any livestock was $100 per horse and $20 per horned animal.
Only citizens of the Town of Ixonia were allowed to become members.

On Tuesday January 4, 1876, the mutual held its first annual meeting. By this time there was a change in board members and serving as directors were Fred Huebner, president; F.V. Piper, secretary; H.E. Humphery, treasurer; Martin Stanton, Carl Pautz, John Lindemann and James McCall.

Written 142 years ago, these minutes are a fascinating history of our rural life. Did you know the cultivation of hops was a major agricultural industry in Wisconsin during the mid 1800s?

Our agriculture has changed many times over the centuries, but the dedication of our mutual insurance has not. Forward Mutual continues to support and provide protection for farmers in 16 counties of southeastern Wisconsin. If you’re interested in learning more, contact us.

By the Minutes: Watertown Mutual Founded 1872

Founding Fathers of Watertown Mutual Insurance Co, Watertown, WI. Circa 1875-76.

By HOWARD WIEDENHOEFT

In 1872, when the state of Wisconsin passed Chapter 103 which allowed the formation of town insurance companies, the Town of Watertown in Jefferson County took full advantage of this opportunity. It’s interesting to note that Wisconsin historically uses the word “town” rather than “township” to denote the governing divisions within its counties. Knowing this verifies that the families coming together to form mutual insurance companies would have been Jefferson County’s most innovative and neighborly-minded farmers.

On Wednesday, November 13, 1872, 35 Town of Watertown property owners met in a school room at Ebenezer Church, south of the city of Watertown. Here they formed the Town of Watertown Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Under the guidance of Chapter 103, the new mutual company allowed property owners in the Towns of Watertown, Ixonia, Milford and Farmington to become members and insure their property. However, it was limited to insuring property in only four adjoining towns and it could not insure in any cities, such as the city of Watertown.

The bylaws they approved at this meeting stated in part that they would only insure for two-thirds of a property’s value. Policies would only be issued for five years. The bylaws also stated that any member who insured their property with more than one company would lose their coverage with Watertown Mutual. Remember, the only insurance offered was for damage caused by fire or lightning!

The mutual members also elected their first board of directors and officers at this meeting. They elected Christian Trachte as president and Friedrich Buckholz as secretary/treasurer. Franz Lehmann, Friedrich Rabbach, and Carl Fischer were also elected as board members. Can you identify them on the photo above?

The mutual commenced business on November 29, 1872, with 35 policies and $49,070 of insurance in force. At the annual meeting on January 6, 1874, the secretary/treasurer reported the mutual had 48 policies with $57,096 of insurance in force. At the annual meeting on January 4, 1875, the mutual had 77 policies with $86,346 of insurance in force.

We appreciate the founding work these early members did for our mutual and we’re proud to carry on the caring commitment they showed so long ago.

Founding Fathers of Watertown Mutual Insurance Co, Watertown, WI. Circa 1875-76.

Giving Back to the Community

Forward Mutuals full circle of Neighbor Helping Neighbor

At Forward Mutual’s recent annual policyholder’s meeting, Kim Ersland, Regional Marketing Manager for Grinnell Re, evoked an interesting thought. She said Forward Mutual gives back to the community every time it pays a claim.

Forward Mutual has a rich tradition of “neighbor helping neighbor” and it’s long been involved with the community. But how does paying claims fit into this scenario? Perhaps it’s an indirect way of giving back, but it’s important nonetheless. Let’s examine this further, because it happens wherever people live, work and play.

When a disaster causes damage to a policyholder’s property, Forward is quick to make an examination and pay the necessary claim to make repairs. This funding enables property owners to 1) make repairs themselves and spend locally for supplies, or 2) hire local contractors, which provides jobs and enables them to spend locally for supplies. When we spend local, we keep our money local. When we hire local contractors, we enable them to support their families, buy homes, and commit themselves to the community.

Here’s where “neighbor helping neighbor” shows through the greatest. Forward is a mutual organization, meaning it’s the policyholders themselves who are giving back to the community. Because of the support of other policyholders, people can afford the risk of starting a business or purchasing property.

“Without the support of Forward Mutual, the ability to buy a home or farm or start a small business becomes less likely as consumers are not able to afford the risk they would have,” explains Ersland. “A single loss would mean risking everything. People cannot and will not make that choice as it is too high a level of uncertainty, but mutual insurance makes sure that the risk is possible. I think it is one of the most unique and integral parts of supporting a community as it allows it to grow and thrive with less uncertainty.”

Giving back to our community is an investment that benefits everyone. Forward Mutual is proud to offer its support.

Forward Mutual's 2016 annual report

January 31, 2017

Getting to Know Our Staff

Ever wonder who’s behind the friendly voice when you call Forward Mutual? Let us introduce Jessica Hill, our customer service assistant. Jessica offers customers and agents an attentive ear and quick responses to their questions. She also works with policy renewals and changes.

“My favorite things about working for Forward Mutual are learning and understanding more about insurance. I love getting to know our insureds when they come in to pay,” says Jessica. “I’m also excited to reconnect with my high school friend, Sarah!”

Jessica and her husband Eric live in Oconomowoc with their cats Maude and Herbie. They’re vagabonds at heart and love exploring new places, biking and pursuing that good cup of coffee. Their latest home projects: painting, new curtains and dreaming of a kitchen remodel!

Through all this, Jessica always has her camera in tow. She started taking pictures for others about five years ago and now is a lifestyle photographer capturing authentic moments of animals, families, children and an occasional wedding. Check out her gorgeous work at jfiess.com!

We at Forward love having Jessica on our team and appreciate the dedicated service she offers our insureds!

September 14, 2016

Being Prepared for Flooding

Rain, rain and more rain! Wisconsin has experienced some heavy downpours in recent weeks. In fact, several counties within our Forward Mutual area were issued flood watches and warnings. With that in mind, we want to recognize National Preparedness Month with this helpful infograph from our reinsurance company Grinnell Mutual.

Take care and be prepared!

Used with permission Grinnell Mutual Reinisurnace Company.

August 29, 2016

Working Together to Stop Insurance Fraud and Arson

Stop Insurance Fraud and Arson When natural disasters damage property, it’s understandable insurance premiums rise to cover the unexpected increase in payout. Unfortunately, insurance premiums must also rise to cover other adversities, those of fraud and arson. How sad that multitudes of honest and law-abiding property owners must pay for the actions of an unscrupulous few.

According to our reinsurance company Grinnell Mutual, fraudulent insurance claims and arson cost our nation billions of dollars each year. This includes claims for theft that never happened, inflated claims misreporting an accident, inflated prices from a supplier, arson and staged accidents.

Grinnell has implemented a Fraud and Arson Award Program to encourage insurance companies and property owners to partner in preventing fraudulent insurance claims. This program awards up to $10,000 for providing timely and credible information about a fraudulent or criminal loss to persons or property insured by Grinnell Mutual or its affiliated farm mutuals. It’s their way of saying thank you for doing the right thing.

“Forward Mutual under most circumstances has been blessed with honest people,” says Lois Wiedenhoeft, President and CEO of Forward Mutual. “We call on you to help prevent fraud and arson in your neighborhood.”

Should you witness insurance fraud, record as many details as you can including names, address and property information of the party involved. Providing such information to Forward Mutual is valuable in stopping insurance fraud and arson. It will benefit you and every other insured property owner.

For further questions or concerns, contact Forward Mutual.