The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-05-05
LOCAL RISK COMPANY IN OWN HOME
after As YEARS OF PREPARATION

Just forty-seven years ago this
spring. the Citizens Mutual Fire In
surance company. now having more
than 1000 members and having 1000
policies In force, was organized, on
March 20, 1872.
The company was made up Of citi-
zens. mostly Of German descent. who
foresaw the possibilities and advan-
tages of mutual fire insurance pro-
lection on their homes and household |
goods.
The John G. Bayer home. South |
Eighth and B streets, has been puT.
chased as a permanent home for the
company. and improvements in the
company's new headquarters win be
made Immediately.
The Citizens Mutual Fire Insurance
company was organized in 1879 under
the name Of the German Mutual Fire
Insurance company. The first board
Of directors was elected April 5. 1872
and at the first meeting. April %, 1872.
omcers for the coming year were elect
ed az follows: H. H. Meerhoff, presi-
dent; William H. Bartel. ST.. vice.
president; John e. Hugo, secretary;
Henry Cutter. treasurer: G. Schnelle.
q. Schneider and David Feltman. ap-
Draisers. and r. Macke. G. Lchten-
fels and Louis Runge, trustees.
Increase Membership
A drive for members was started I'm
mediately, but great caution was ex-
ercised not only in the appraising and
insuring Of property. but also In the
compensation Of officers. The hrst
loss by fire was a livery barn belong
ing to G. Heitbrink, who lived on
Franklin, now Seventh street. It was
q total loss amounting to 500. A
special meeting was Immediately call
ed and committee was appointed to
make investigations. A report was
made and the money was paid prompt
~. This incident set an example
that has been followed by the com.
pany.
At the third annual meeting of the
company, forty-five years ago, the ad-
vantages of a permanent home were
first discussed. A committee was ap-
pointed to make investigations but
the committee reported that 1t would
be less expensive to pay rent for the
time being.
Up to this time the assessment
system had been in force but new
plan was adopted at this melting
whereby q cash deposit Of one per
cent OF the amount insured was made
on all property and a certain per cent
Of the cash premium as an annual
premium. This plan proved satisfac-
tory to the company and its patrons,
> and is still in force. 1t also met with
the approval Of the insurance depart
ment of the state auditors office af-
ter some minor changes were made.
In the last forty-seven years the fol-
lowing citizens have held ONCE in the
company: President, H. H. Meerhoff,
Louis Schiefner. David Hoerner, Hen
ry Cutter. Henry Greiwe. Chris Bar
tel. and A. W. Blickwedel; secretary.
John Hugo, H. Humps, H. Greiwe,
John M. Nolte,D. Hoerner, Fred
Krone, August Wickemeyer, John
Cutter. A. Boes, ], Henry Bode;
treasurer, Henry Cutter. G. Schneider.
A. Metz D. Hoerner, H. Rosa, H.
Bartel, A. Boes. e. Bettenbrock, Geo.
Schneider and John Newcomer.
Name Is Changed
When the United States entered
the war, the name of the company
was changed, by an unanimous vote,
from the German Mutual Fire 1nsur-
ance company to the Citizens Mutu-
al Fire Insurance company. A new
constitution and bylaws was adopted
and articles of corporation were filed
with the auditor of state.
Up to this time the business OF the
company had been conducted by var
ious committees. The company had
grown so extensively that 1t became
necessary to make some changes in
its management. It was decided to
employ a man who, could devote all
Of his time to the work. The secre-
tary Of the company, ]. Henry Bode.
was thoroughly acquainted with the
affairs of the company and who had
served as director for twelve years
was chosen for the position. His
term expires December 81. 1924.
Members Of the first board of di
rectors who are still living are H. H
Meerhoff, president; William H. Bar
tel, vice president; Henry Cutter
treasurer; David Feldman, appraiser
The cash reserve Of the company
has been invested in first mortgage
loans, Liberty bonds and gravel bonds
a~I rIosa uar1rriffoa