Wood County Farmers’ Mutual Fire Association records

 Collection – Multiple Containers
Identifier: MS-0501

Collection Overview

Abstract

The records of the Wood County Farmers' Mutual Fire Association consist of assessment books, ledgers, and certificates of membership, ranging from 1903 until 1960.

Dates

  • Creation: 1903-1960

Extent

1.38 Cubic Feet (3 legal size archive boxes)

1 Volumes (1 ledger)

Creator

Scope and Contents

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 membership certificates only cover 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.

Biographical / Historical

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.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

Materials in English.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was transferred to the Center for Archival Collections during October 1987, from Mr. D.C. Fast, Bloomdale, Ohio.

Title
Guide to the Wood County Farmers’ Mutual Fire Association records
Author
Marilyn Levinson, Nick Pavlik
Date
June 1989, June 2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English
  • Box: 1 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 2 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 3 (Mixed Materials)
  • Volume: Oversize (Mixed Materials)