The Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of St. Louis County, Missouri, was organized and incorporated in 1875 by a group of farmers in St. Louis County, most of whom were members of the Concord Farmers Club. The Concord Farmers Club still exists in St. Louis today, primarily as a social venue. The rise of mutual insurance companies among Missouri farmers was part of the farmers' movements of the late 19th Century, in which farmers in Missouri and elsewhere organized to protect their financial interests from the influence of big business and the perils of falling food prices. Farmers throughout the United States formed cooperatives, granges and even political parties to improve their circumstances. Mutual insurance companies were among those organizations, allowing farmers to become member/owners of their own local insurance companies, instead of paying the higher rates offered by large insurance companies. In 1874, the General Assembly of the State of Missouri had passed an “An Act providing for the incorporation and management of local insurance companies,” which made these organizations possible in Missouri. The Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of St. Louis County, Missouri continued to insure farmers against fire until its dissolution in 2000.
The ledger, which dates from 1875-1880, includes policies for St. Louis area residents and businesses. Policies include the name of the insured and the items being insured against loss, as well as insurance rates and membership fees.
The St. Louis County Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Policy Ledger is in the public domain. The ledger was provided to the Missouri State Archives by the St. Louis County Library History & Genealogy Department. The ledger has been digitized by the Missouri State Archives. Images are available on the Missouri Digital Heritage website. Quickly find a page image by noting the page in the index below and clicking on the page number on the Missouri Digital Heritage website.