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Forward Mutual has a fascinating history that we’d love to share. Segment by segment, Claims Manager Howard Wiedenhoeft will pass along his research of original minutes, documents and photos. He knows this well. After all, Howard faithfully served as the company’s president and CEO\u00a0for 32 years!<\/em><\/p>\n By HOWARD WIEDENHOEFT<\/p>\n This year, Forward Mutual Insurance Company moved its\u00a0annual meeting back to the Ixonia Town Hall, a location it had used in decades past. As we prepared\u00a0for the meeting I thought it would be of interest to know where the annual meetings have been held since they first began in 1875. In doing so, I had to look through our minute books. What an interesting re-discovery of the history they hold! We have all the minutes of Ixonia Mutual from its beginning in 1875 and Watertown Mutual from its beginning in 1872. Both these companies merged in 2010 to form Forward Mutual Insurance Company. Watertown Mutual\u2019s minutes were written in German until 1919. I cannot read German, fortunately brief highlights on these minutes have already been transcribed to English. With these books and other historical data, I will try to highlight the history behind Forward Mutual Insurance Company.<\/p>\n Wisconsin became a state in 1848. The Milwaukee & Watertown Railroad began purchasing land in 1853. Rural Wisconsin was beginning to develop and rural residents of the state were unable to find affordable fire insurance. On March 25, 1872, the Wisconsin Chapter 103<\/a> was passed to allow the formation of town insurance companies. According to requirements,\u00a025 residents of a township and\u00a0$25,000 of property to insure against loss by fire or lightning were needed to form an insurance company. It’s interesting to note the guidelines. Mutual members were allowed one vote for each $200 of insurance they purchased and they could vote for directors and by-laws (policy language). Members also agreed to pay their proportionate share of each member loss after it occurred. Mutual companies could write\u00a0insurance in their township and adjoining townships, but they could not exceed four townships or cross county lines.<\/p>\n The mutual insurance industry has changed a lot since those early days, but one thing is the same: Forward Mutual remains committed to customers and quality. It’s our promise to you.<\/p>\n We’re going to continue coverage of\u00a0our company’s\u00a0history, so be sure to check back!<\/p>\n\n\n By the Minutes: Introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1872 Watertown Mutual Founded<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1875 Ixonia Mutual Founded<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Comparing the Capitalizing of Two Early Mutuals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A Mutual\u2019s First Claim<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Supporting Dairy in the Late 1800s<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1879 Early Challenges for a Young Mutual<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ixonia Mutual’s First $1000 Loss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1885 A Year of Neighbor Helping Neighbor<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Changes of Bylaws<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our Dairy Heritage<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Insuring Automobiles<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Taxes, War and the English Language<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Supporting the Community\u2019s Fire Protection<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Board Directors and Their Meetings<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Standardization of Wisconsin Mutuals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Of Electricity, Radio and Foxes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our Annual Meetings Over the Years<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tumultuous 1930-1940s<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n How a Major Disaster Affected Extended Coverage and Reinsurance<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Surviving the Big Dogs in the 1960s<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Introducing Agents to the Mutuals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Accounting Over the Years<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Centennial Anniversaries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mutual Offices<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mutual Managers and Staff<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Establishing Confidence in Financial Strength<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Entering the Era of Computers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The 1990s, Advancement and Angst<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Start of the 21st Century<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Concord and Watertown Merge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ixonia Mutual and Watertown Mutual Merge and a New Company is Formed<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Setting the Stage, Moving Forward with a New 2020 Vision<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/h2>\nWhy Form a Mutual Insurance Company?<\/h2>\n
Many Changes, but the Same Care<\/h2>\n
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