![\"Dairy](\"http:\/\/forwardmutual.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/12_EvaluateCattle.jpg\")
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By HOWARD WIEDENHOEFT<\/p>\n
Our summer is drawing to a close and just like generations before us, we reminisce of the season’s county fairs and the judging of livestock. Forward Mutual participates in two fairs: the Jefferson County Fair<\/span><\/a> and the Dodge County Fair<\/span><\/a>. We do so because farming, particularly dairy farming, is part of our Forward Mutual heritage. Let’s look back at this history and how it affected mutual insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n Let’s look at our area in 1913.<\/span><\/p>\n Back then the Wisconsin Telephone Company was developing long distance phone lines along Watertown Plank Road (now Highway 16) between Milwaukee and Madison. Rural children attended winter and summer terms in one room schoolhouses scattered throughout the countryside. And Wisconsin farmers were turning to the dairy cow and milk for their livelihood. Because there was no refrigeration and water was the only means to cool their milk, farmers needed an immediate use for their product before it spoiled. Thus came cheese production and the neighborhood cheese factory to which farmers could transport their milk in ten gallon cans.<\/span><\/p>\n This developing dairy industry lead to the evaluation of cattle.\u00a0When Ixonia Mutual was formed in 1875, the maximum value on a cow was $20. By 1905 this was increased to $25. The issue of cattle value was brought forward again at the 1913 annual meeting and a resolution to \u201cinsure registered, choicely and thoroughbred stock for two-thirds of its cash value and not to exceed $100 on any horned cattle\u201d was presented. This resolution lost.<\/span><\/p>\n The value of cattle came up again at the annual meeting on January 14, 1914. This time a resolution to have three classes of cattle was presented. For Class #1, registered and thoroughbred cattle were given a maximum value of $150, providing all stock was insured for at least $80. For Class #2, other grade cattle were given a maximum value of $75, providing all stock was insured for at least $35. For Class #3, grade cattle were given a \u201cmaximum value of $50 and would be governed by the same rules as we have done business before.\u201d This resolution was carried by a division of the house.<\/span><\/p>\n Attendees at the annual meeting then moved and seconded to have only two classes of cattle. After considerable discussion, a motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting and meet again in two weeks to decide the issue.<\/span><\/p>\n The Ixonia Mutual board mailed new notices and the meeting reconvened on January 28, 1914. The first order of business was to repeal of the resolution regarding cattle value made at the previous meeting. A new resolution was made to have two classes of cattle. For Class #1, registered and thoroughbred cattle were given a maximum value of $175. For Class #2, grade cattle were given a maximum value of $50. This motion carried. Voters also approved the $60 purchase of a safe and a $2 compensation to the secretary for his trouble with the additional meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n The January 14 meeting was adjourned after 2 1\/2 hours and the January 28 meeting after two hours. Imagine the discussion that transpired in those two weeks between the meetings when the farmers met at the cheese factory while delivering their milk!<\/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
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