Madison County, Indiana - Chapter 19, 1897

It is convenient liere to mention the "grange movement" that aroused so much interest among the farming community in 1^78 This order or society during that year was organized in every township in Madison county for the ostensilile purpose of promoting the welfare of farmers and elevating the standard of agriculture. Grange lodges were organized in such numbers and with such large memberships that it looked like the farmers of the county had gone "grange wild." Originally none but farmers or persons closely allied to the farming interest were eligilile to membership, and if this rule, or law, of the order had been adhered to more closely the principles upon which it was founded would have flourished, perhaps, and the results would have been beneficial. But men were received as members who cared nothing for the principles of the order, and it soon developed that its purposes had been subverted and that it was being used as a political machine notwithstanding the protestations of many of the leaders that such was not the case. The political campaign of 1874, however, satisfied the conscientious members of the organization that it was being used to place certain men in office, and immediately after the sweeping Democratic victory in the county in the fall of that year, the order collapsed and has not been heard of since. As an industrial organization it was formidable, but when it engaged in politics it met with the fate that has befallen all other secret organizations whose principles have been prostituted to accomplish political ends.

Tin's company was organized October 81, 1886, at Anderson, in the interest of farmers. For some time previous to the organization of the association, the farmers throughout the county had been discussing its feasibility, there being a wide- spread sentiment that the rates of insurance paid bv tiieni to foreign insurance companies were exorbitant. This, together \vith other objections to foreign insurance systems, resulted in a call for a meeting of farmers at Anderson, at which preliminary steps ^vere taken, looking to the organization of a company in the interest of the farming communitv, and those owning farm propert\'. e.\clusively. At this meeting a committee was appointed to draft a constitution and bylaws, and on the aboye date about one hundred person-, including both sexes, and from every township in the county, met at Anderson, heard the report of the committee and adopted it without unnecessary delay. Following the adoption of the constitution and by-laws, the following officers were elected : President, Elijah Williams, Fall Creek township ; yice-president, Jonathan ]ones, Anderson township ; secretary and treasiner, Jesse H. Hall, Monroe to\\nshi[i. Board of Directors : William P. Davis, Anderson township; John Franklin, Adams township ; A. F. Kaufman, IJoone township; John L. Thomas. Fall Creek townsliip; A. M. Mcintosh, Duck Creek township: Burrell Williamson. Greene township; William T. Wright, Jackson township; John L. Jones, Lafayette township; A. L. Wilson, Monroe township; Tremelius Beeson, Pipe Creek township; Samuel E. Hannah, Richland townsliip ; Christian Bodenhorn, Stony Creek township ; Thomas S. East, Union township ; James Price, Van Buren township.

-Vrticle 1, of the constitution, declares that "The name of this association shall be The Farmers' Insurance Company of Madison county. State of Indiana.'"

Article 2, sets forth that, "The object of the association shall be to insure the property of its members against loss or damage by fire or lightning. The property to be insured shall embrace dwelling houses, barns, outbuildings and their contents ; farm implements, hay, grain, wood, and other farm products; live stock, wagons, carriages, harness, household goods, wearing apparel, provisions, musical instruments, libra- ries and all other farm property."

B}' the terms of the constitution, "No risk greater than two thousand dollars shall be taken by the association until the amount of pioperty insured shall exceed the sum of four hundred thousand dollars. Xo building shall be insured formore than two-thirds of its value, including all insurance in other companies."

The company at the present time is composed of about l,r)(K)of the leading farmers of the county. From llOO.nOO insurance, the amount rL-(|uiroi.l by the constitution before a loss could be adjusted, the insurance has increased to $:?,()8f),- 1)04 at the present time, and according to the secretary, Mr. John L. Thomas, is still increasing.

Much interest in the company is taken bv the farmers of the county, and its success is a matter of which they can feel justly proud. Trusts and companies loaning money in the county haye such confidence in the stability of the association that they prefer loans secured by members holding its policies.

The insurance has been very cheap to tlie membership, costing on an average but 10 cents on .$100. The association lias been in existence ten years and has never had a lawsuit which, to say the least, speaks well for its management.

The present officers are Joseph Saunde?S, president ; B. F. Ham, vice president ; John L. Thomas, secretary, and John G. Haas, treasurer. Mr. Thomas has been prominently connected with the management of the company ever since its organization.