The Central Iowa Mutual Insurance Association, originally organized as the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company for Story, Hamilton, Boone, Hardin and Polk Counties, Iowa, has throughout the 85 years of its existence been an important organization to and in the Roland community.
One point of interest is that the first six secretaries, all elected by the membership of the Association, were sons of pioneer Roland families. They were, in turn, A. S. Helvig, R. K. Gaard, E. M. Rod, M. O. Rod, Lars J. Skromme, and Sam J. Nelson. The seventh secretary, the incumbent, Leroy F. Higgins, is also a Roland man, but by choice and adoption. His selection was by the Board of Directors, an amendment to the constitution having been enacted which requires that the secretary be so elected.
The association grew rapidly in every phase and in prestige, so much so that by the year 1929 the secretary, M. O. Rod, was elected President of the Iowa State Association of Mutual Insurance Associations. The present secretary has also brought the company this same honor. In addition, Mr. Higgins, as Chairman of the Legislative Committee of Iowa Association of Mutual Insurance Associations, attended the National Association of Mutual Insurance Associations held in Zion, Illinois in 1968.
The Board of Directors meets regularly four times each year and at such other times as seems necessary. Every advance in farming, equipment for the storage and care of grain, and for the care of livestock, modern residences and their furnishings, are all reflected in the insurance written.
Fifteen years ago three classes of insurance were offered; ten years ago it was four classes. In 1970 the insurance in force is divided into nine classes, with each assessed according to the risk involved.
The present directors are Elmer Gelhaus, Hubbard; Dwayne Hill, Ellsworth; Lawrence R. Jacobson, Ames; Ray Lounsberry, Nevada; Erling Shold, Roland; M. J. Teig, Stanhope; and Eugene Voga, Story City. The Executive Committee, composed at the present of President Dwayne Hill of Radcliffe, Vice President Erling Shold of Roland, and Secretary Leroy Higgins, meets as often as desirable with Treasurer R. A. Sweet of Story City to review the financial situation, to make investments, and to assure that funds are always available for the payment of losses.
All records of transactions from the beginning of the Association are kept in the office. Originally a small notebook of the type called a "Composition Book" was used for this purpose. Recently the Board has adopted the modern data processing method for the company's use.
George Sather found a life of retirement from the Standard Oil station in 1959 unpalatable, so he became a seed corn dealer for DeKalb in 1962.
He actively works at selling in Howard and parts of Milford, Warren and Scott Townships.
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