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German Farmers Insurance Co.

German Farmers Insurance Co. image
Parent Issue
Day
17
Month
January
Year
1902
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

GERMAN FARMERS INSURANCE CO.

The annual meeting of the German Farmers' Mutual Fire Ins. Co. was very largely attended Monday. The company has had a prosperous year. It has paid $7,584.79 in losses. Its membership increased 49, being now 1,871. The capital stock or insurance was increased $134,975, being Dec. 31, '91, $4,280,165.

One ballot was taken for president, Matthew Seeger of Saline receiving 61 votes, Jacob Reichert 47 and scattering.

Mr. Seeger was declared elected president, Frederick Fiegel of Scio was elected vice-president, Charles Braun of Ann Arbor secretary, and Michael Paul treasurer, by acclamation.

For director for full term, George J. Bohnet of Pittsfield received 82 votes, Conrad Schmid, Ann Arbor town, 55, scattering 10. Mr. Bohnet was declared elected. Two ballots were taken for director to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of Jacob Jedele of Scio. The first ballot on which there was no choice was Fred Jedele, Scio, 70; John Staebler. Freedom, 45; John Schulz, Dexter, 13; Gottfried Lutzen, Dexter, 14; Gottlob Hutzel, Lima, 8; scattering, 5. The second ballot was Fred Jedele 94 and John Staebler, 60; Gottlob, Hutzel, 5; Fred Jedele was declared elected.

President Reichert brought the Frank Fahner of Chelsea matter before the meeting. He said Mr. Fahner had sold the farm implements destroyed by fire, to his sons and had a chattel mortgage on the property. He had never informed the company of the change in title, but continued paying the assessments. Under the bylaws of the company the board had felt that they had no right to pay the loss.

William Aprill moved the whole matter be referred to the board for adjustment.

John Kalmbach of Chelsea made an eloquent appeal for the company to pay Mr. Fahner's loss. He asked to be excused because he did not speak German, in which language the meeting was conducted. He was proud of his German ancestry, and regretted that he could not speak German. Mr. Fahner could not read the by-laws of his policy which were in German and he believed many of the company were not capable of doing so. Ho admitted Mr. Fahner had not done the right thing in accordance with the by-laws. There were many other members who also did not live up to the by-laws. Mr. Fahner had faith in the hard-handed sons of labor and he asked them to give what they thought best. He did not believe that half of the policy holders understood what was printed in their policies. He did not believe that the Washtenaw German Farmers' Mutual Fire Ins. Co. wanted to go on record as disallowing this claim. They should do as men as they wished to be done by. They might themselves some time be in the same position. Mr. Fahner had a chattel mortgage on the property. He explained the large bill that had been presented for the loss in that Mr. Fahner had been sick and still  was a very sick man.

Mr. Kline of Saline spoke in English and said the policy of the company did not allow them to pay one cent unless permitted by the by-laws. The officers of the company had no right to pay for everything not insured. (Calls for German).

Secretary Charles Braun said the officers had no right to settle this loss. If the members wanted to settle this they must suspend the by-laws. Mr. Fahner had lost nothing. His sons still owed the debt for the property destroyed by fire.

Fred B. Braun of Ann Arbor town moved as a substitute that when the general assessment was made the officers of the company, after ascertaining the actual loss of Mr. Fahner, make a special assessment for the same, the payment of which be optional with the members, and that the cost of spreading this special assessment be paid by Mr. Fahner.

This substitute was accepted by Mr. Aprill and passed.