Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
The West Elgin Mutual Insurance Company and its immediate predecessor, the West Elgin Mutual Fire Insurance Company, were products of an amalgamation effected in December 1978 between the Dunwich Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company and the Southwold Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company. The Southwold Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company was established at Shedden, Ontario at an organization meeting held July 27, 1878. The company's first Board of Directors included George Silcox, A. Waugh, Charlie Newland, Daniel Turner, Andrew Horton, John Andrews and Tom Hunter. In 1905, John H. Sells was appointed company Secretary, serving until his son, Wilfred Sells was appointed in 1937. When Wilfred Sells died in 1953, his wife, Edna Sells became Secretary and served until the time of amalgamation in 1978. The Dunwich Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company was established in 1880 at Dutton, Ontario, for the purpose of providing the farmers and other residents of Dunwich Township with low cost fire insurance. John Pearce was elected as the Company's first President, with Samuel McColl as Vice-President, A.R. Patterson of Iona Station as Secretary, and John Lyons of Wallacetown as agent/valuator. In 1882, a delegation from Aldborough Township petitioned the Company to extend insurance policies to residents of that township. A.R. Patterson was succeeded as Secretary in 1887 by John Pearce, who served until 1890 when he was succeeded by W.A. Galbraith. Galbraith continued as Secretary until 1938, when he was succeeded by his son, William Galbraith. In 1943 Clarence Blue was appointed Secretary and served until 1968, when he was succeeded by Don Mylrea. At the close of business on December 30, 1978, the Dunwich Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company and the Southwold Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company amalgamated to form the West Elgin Mutual Fire Insurance Company, with its headquarters in Dutton. Don Mylrea, formerly Secretary of the Dunwich Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, was appointed Secretary and Manager of the amalgamated company. At its annual meeting held February 24, 1989 the company was renamed the West Elgin Mutual Insurance Company.