George J. Mecherle

George Jacob Mecherle
Born June 7, 1877(1877-06-07)
Merna, McLean County, Illinois
Died March 10, 1951(1951-03-10) (aged 73)
Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois
Occupation farmer, insurance agent
Known for founder of State Farm Insurance
Spouse May Edith Perry Mecherle (m. 1900–1942) «start: (1900)–end+1: (1943)»"Marriage: May Edith Perry Mecherle to George J. Mecherle" Location: (linkback:http://localhost../../../../articles/g/e/o/George_J._Mecherle_dbc2.html) (her death)
Sylvia Mae Harbaugh Mecherle (m. 1944–1951) «start: (1944)–end+1: (1952)»"Marriage: Sylvia Mae Harbaugh Mecherle to George J. Mecherle" Location: (linkback:http://localhost../../../../articles/g/e/o/George_J._Mecherle_dbc2.html) (his death)
Children grandchildren = Bob Mecherle and grandbrother Mecherle, Vicki Mecherle, Julie Philpott, great grandchildren = Greg, Steve, Cindy Mecherle, Bethany Sampson, Misti Vance, great great grandchildren = Robert John Mecherle, Christopher Pratt Mecherle, Sydney Dunham Sampson, Jean-luc Lafayette Sampson
Parents Christian and Susan Hull Mecherle

George Jacob "G.J." Mecherle[1] (pronounced "Ma-herl") (June 7, 1877 - March 10, 1951) was the founder of State Farm Insurance, headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois. Mecherle, a farmer who became an insurance agent also, founded State Farm after becoming dissatisfied with the insurance rates charged to farmers, as those rates included the risks of city drives as well.

Mr. Mecherle was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 1985.

[2]

References

  1. ^ "State Farm Story". State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. http://www.statefarm.com/about/about_story.asp. Retrieved 2008-08-31. 
  2. ^ Simms, Steve (February 2004). "State Farm, George Mecherle, and Farm Bureau". Illinois Farm Bureau. http://www.rnd.ilfb.org/history/simms/simms.html. Retrieved 2008-08-31.