MS 501 - Wood County Farmers' Mutual Fire Association
MLA Citation
Tags
Title | MS 501 - Wood County Farmers' Mutual Fire Association |
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Subject | Agriculture |
Introduction | The records of the Wood County Farmers' Mutual Fire Association consist of 1 linear foot of assessment books, ledgers, and certificates of membership, ranging from 1903 until 1960. The collection was transferred to the Center for Archival Collections during October 1987, from Mr. D.C. Fast, Bloomdale, Ohio. This register was prepared by Marilyn Levinson, Curator of Manuscripts, Center for Archival Collections, June, 1989. No restrictions exist on the use of this collection. |
Agency History | The Wood County Farmers' Mutual Fire Association was founded in 1894 by a group of twenty-four men from Scotch Ridge, Webster Township, Wood County, Ohio. Their purpose, as stated on the State of Ohio Certificate of Compliance from the Insurance Department, was to "insure each other against loss by fire and lightning, cyclones, tornadoes or wind storms, hail-storms and explosions from gas." The charter members of the Association included the names of many of the established farm families of the Township, including Householder, Davidson, Loomis, Shanks, Dunipace, and Muir. After receiving their charter, they commenced operation on December 1, 1894 with a capitalization of $55,000; by 1931 capital stock was $12,289,790. The average assessment per member was at the rate of $2.50 per $1000. |
Scope and Content | The records of the Wood County Farmers' Mutual Fire Association give a glimpse into the economic conditions of a primarily agricultural county in Northwest Ohio. As a provider of insurance to cover loss due to fire and lightning, cyclones, tornadoes or wind storms, hail-storms and explosions from gas, the Association collected information on property value, buildings and equipment owned by its members. While the series of membership certificates only covers the later years of the Association, they provide the best direct indication of the financial situation of the farmers. The longer series of assessment books, which range from the early years of the Association, can be interpreted indirectly by applying the average assessment rate of $2.50 per $1000. While there is almost no personal information on the Association members within the records, the names of the farmers involved comprise many of the established farm families of the Township, including Householder, Davidson, Loomis, Shanks, Dunipace, and Muir. |
Series Description | PROCEEDINGS MEMBERSHIP RECORDS. FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS ACCOUNT BOOK. ASSESSMENT BOOKS. LEDGER. PRINTED MATERIAL CERTIFICATES. PAMPHLETS. PAMPHLETS. |
Inventory | Box 1 Folders
Box 2 Folders
Box 3 Folders
Wrapped
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