MS 501 - Wood County Farmers' Mutual Fire Association

MLA Citation

“MS 501 - Wood County Farmers' Mutual Fire Association.” Finding Aids. BGSU University Libraries, 20 Mar. 2014, lib.bgsu.edu/finding_aids/items/show/21. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Tags

TitleMS 501 - Wood County Farmers' Mutual Fire Association
SubjectAgriculture
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.
1943-1960.
Individual membership certificates, includes information on property value, buildings and equipment covered, and amounts paid per assessment.

FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS

ACCOUNT BOOK.
1903-1917.
Account book detailing expenses listed by individual, general expenses, and losses from fire, lightning, and wind.

ASSESSMENT BOOKS.
1910, 1916-1924, 1937-1938, 1940, 1944-1948, 1950-1953.
Record of members, listing name, certificate number, and assessment.

LEDGER.
1907-1943.
General record ledger, containing accounting of receipts and expenditures. (Wrapped)

PRINTED MATERIAL

CERTIFICATES.
1911.
State of Ohio, Insurance Department, Certificate of compliance for publication, listing assets and liabilities of the Association.

PAMPHLETS.
1916, 1918, 1939, 1940, 1945.
Secretary's semi-annual report of losses of the Association.

PAMPHLETS.
1931?
History of the Association, "Stop, look and listen" by Esther Waugh. Includes names and dates of directors of the Association from 1895 through 1931.

Inventory

Box 1

Folders

  1. Certificates of membership, 1943-1960
  2. Account book, 1903-1917
  3. Order book (Assessments), Sept 27 to Oct 27, 1910
  4. Order book (Assessments), Sept 21 to Oct 21, 1916
  5. Order book (Assessments), Sept 25 to Oct 25, 1917
  6. Order book (Assessments), Sept 24 to Oct 24, 1918

Box 2

Folders

  1. Order book (Assessments), Sept 22 to Oct 22, 1919
  2. Order book (Assessments), Sept 27 to Oct 27, 1920
  3. Order book (Assessments), Sept 24 to Oct 24, 1921
  4. Order book (Assessments), Sept 25 to Oct 25, 1922
  5. Order book (Assessments), Sept 24 to Oct 24, 1923
  6. Order book (Assessments), Sept 23 to Oct 23, 1924
  7. Order book (Assessments), July 30, 1937-Jan 30, 1938
  8. Order book (Assessments), Jan 1940-July 1940
  9. Order book (Assessments), July 31, 1944-Jan 31, 1945
  10. Order book (Assessments), Jan 31, 1945-July 31, 1945

Box 3

Folders

  1. Order book (Assessments), July 31, 1946-Jan 31, 1947
  2. Order book (Assessments), Jan 31, 1947-July 31, 1947
  3. Order book (Assessments), July 31, 1947-Jan 31, 1948
  4. Order book (Assessments), July 30, 1950-Jan 31, 1951
  5. Order book (Assessments), Jan 30, 1951-July 31, 1951
  6. Order book (Assessments), July 30, 1951-Jan 31, 1952
  7. Order book (Assessments), Jan 30, 1952-July 31, 1952
  8. Order book (Assessments), July 30, 1952-Jan 31, 1953
  9. Order book (Assessments), Jan 30, 1953-July 31, 1953
  10. State of Ohio, Certificate of Compliance, 1911.
  11. Secretary's semi-annual report, 1916, 1918, 1939, 1940, 1945
  12. Association history, by Esther Waugh, 1931?

Wrapped

  1. General record ledger, 1907-1943