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George J. Mecherle

American businessman

George Jacob "G.J." Mecherle (pronounced "Ma-herl") (June 7, 1877–March 10, 1951) was the founder of State Farm, headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois. Mecherle, a farmer who later became an insurance agent, founded State Farm after becoming dissatisfied with the insurance rates charged to farmers, as those rates included the risks of city drivers as well.2

From Wikipedia’s article on George J. Mecherle (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Jun 7, 1877, died Mar 10, 1951.1

Companies

Career

Occupation: businessperson.4

Mecherle was known as a very progressive and scientific farmer. However, in 1919 he quit farming and moved to Florida to improve his wife's health — she had rheumatoid arthritis. The warm climate did not improve her health so they moved back to Central Illinois in 1921.

After returning to Illinois, he sold tractors and discovered that he had a skill for selling to farmers. Believing that city insurance companies were "rooking" farmers with high premiums based upon city driving accident rates, he became obsessed with the idea of starting his own insurance company — "an honest insurance company" was the phrase Mecherle used.

From Wikipedia’s article on George J. Mecherle (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Personal life

  • BornJun 7, 1877, Merna5
  • DiedMar 10, 1951, Bloomington6
  • CitizenshipUnited States7

Sources

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