Wood County Farmers’ Mutual Fire Association records

The records of the Wood County Farmers' Mutual Fire Association give a glimpse into the economic conditions of a primarily agricultural county in Northwest Ohio. As a provider of insurance to cover loss due to fire and lightning, cyclones, tornadoes or wind storms, hail-storms and explosions from gas, the Association collected information on property value, buildings and equipment owned by its members.

While the membership certificates only cover the later years of the Association, they provide the best direct indication of the financial situation of the farmers. The longer series of assessment books, which range from the early years of the Association, can be interpreted indirectly by applying the average assessment rate of $2.50 per $1000.

While there is almost no personal information on the Association members within the records, the names of the farmers involved comprise many of the established farm families of the Township, including Householder, Davidson, Loomis, Shanks, Dunipace, and Muir.