George J. Mecherle
George J. Mecherle | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 7, 1877 Merna, Illinois, US |
| Died | March 10, 1951 (aged 73) |
| Occupation(s) | farmer, insurance agent |
| Known for | founder of State Farm Insurance |
| Spouses | May Edith Perry Mecherle
(m. 1900–1942)Sylvia Mae Harbaugh Mecherle
(m. 1944–1951) |
George Jacob "G.J." Mecherle (pronounced "Ma-herl") (June 7, 1877–March 10, 1951) was the founder of State Farm, headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois. Mecherle, a farmer who later became an insurance agent, founded State Farm after becoming dissatisfied with the insurance rates charged to farmers, as those rates included the risks of city drivers as well.