![\"Founding](\"http:\/\/forwardmutual.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/3.-4_25_WatertownMutual.jpg\")
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By HOWARD WIEDENHOEFT<\/p>\n
In 1872,\u00a0when the state of Wisconsin passed\u00a0Chapter 103<\/a> which allowed the\u00a0formation of town insurance companies, the Town of Watertown in Jefferson County took full advantage of\u00a0this opportunity.\u00a0It’s interesting to note that Wisconsin historically\u00a0uses the word “town” rather than\u00a0“township” to denote the governing divisions within\u00a0its counties. Knowing this verifies that the families coming together to form mutual insurance companies\u00a0would have been Jefferson County’s most innovative and neighborly-minded farmers.<\/span><\/p>\n On Wednesday, November 13, 1872, 35 Town of Watertown property owners met in a school room at Ebenezer Church, south of the city of Watertown. Here they\u00a0formed the Town of Watertown Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Under the guidance of Chapter 103, the new mutual company allowed property owners in the Towns of Watertown, Ixonia, Milford and Farmington to become members and insure their property. However, it\u00a0was limited to insuring property in only\u00a0four adjoining towns\u00a0and it\u00a0could not insure in any cities, such as the city of Watertown.<\/span><\/p>\n The bylaws they approved at this meeting stated in part that they would only insure for two-thirds of a property’s value. Policies would only be issued for five years. The bylaws also stated that any member who insured their property with more than one company would lose their coverage with Watertown Mutual. Remember, the only insurance offered was for damage caused by fire or lightning!<\/span><\/p>\n The mutual members also elected their first board of directors and officers at this meeting. They elected Christian Trachte as president and Friedrich Buckholz as secretary\/treasurer. Franz Lehmann, Friedrich Rabbach, and Carl Fischer were also elected as board members. Can you identify them on the photo above?<\/span><\/p>\n The mutual commenced business on November 29, 1872, with 35 policies and $49,070 of insurance in force. At the annual meeting on January 6, 1874, the secretary\/treasurer reported the mutual had 48 policies with $57,096 of insurance in force. At the annual meeting on January 4, 1875, the mutual\u00a0had 77 policies with $86,346 of insurance in force.<\/span><\/p>\n We\u00a0appreciate the\u00a0founding work these early members did for our mutual and we’re\u00a0proud to carry on the caring commitment they showed so long ago.<\/span><\/p>\n By the Minutes: Introduction<\/a><\/p>\n 1872 Watertown Mutual Founded<\/a><\/p>\n 1875 Ixonia Mutual Founded<\/a><\/p>\n Comparing the Capitalizing of Two Early Mutuals<\/a><\/p>\n A Mutual\u2019s First Claim<\/a><\/p>\n Supporting Dairy in the Late 1800s<\/a><\/p>\n 1879 Early Challenges for a Young Mutual<\/a><\/p>\n Ixonia Mutual\u2019s First $1000 Loss<\/a><\/p>\n 1885 A Year of Neighbor Helping Neighbor<\/a><\/p>\n Changes of Bylaws<\/a><\/p>\n Our Dairy Heritage<\/a><\/p>\n Insuring Automobiles<\/a><\/p>\n Taxes, War and the English Language<\/a><\/p>\n Supporting the Community\u2019s Fire Protection<\/a><\/p>\n Board Directors and Their Meetings<\/a><\/p>\n Standardization of Wisconsin Mutuals<\/a><\/p>\n Of Electricity, Radio and Foxes<\/a><\/p>\n Our Annual Meetings Over the Years<\/a><\/p>\n Tumultuous 1930-1940s<\/a><\/p>\n How a Major Disaster Affected Extended Coverage and Reinsurance<\/a><\/p>\n Surviving the Big Dogs in the 1960s<\/a><\/p>\n Introducing Agents to the Mutuals<\/a><\/p>\n Accounting Over the Years<\/a><\/p>\n Centennial Anniversaries<\/a><\/p>\n Mutual Offices<\/a><\/p>\n Mutual Managers and Staff<\/a><\/p>\n Establishing Confidence in Financial Strength<\/a><\/p>\n Entering the Era of Computers<\/a><\/p>\n The 1990s, Advancement and Angst<\/a><\/p>\n The Start of the 21st Century<\/a><\/p>\n Concord and Watertown Merge<\/a><\/p>\n Ixonia Mutual and Watertown Mutual Merge and a New Company is Formed<\/a><\/p>\n Setting the Stage, Moving Forward with a New 2020 Vision<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Founding](\"http:\/\/forwardmutual.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4.-4_25_WatertownMutual.jpg\")
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