The General Agency Company is a fifth-generation, family-owned and operated business. As one of the oldest, continuous businesses in Mt. Pleasant, we are regarded as one of Michigan’s largest and most progressive multi-state insurance agencies.
The agency was founded by three active Mt. Pleasant insurance agents — Charles A. Carnahan, Walter W. Russell and Glen H. Riley — in 1915. The three founders were of pioneer stock in Isabella County and were determined to provide a growing community with much better and broader insurance service.
The Mt. Pleasant area quickly became “the Oil Capital of Michigan” after oil fields were developed. Petroleum prospectors swarmed into the area and thereby created many new needs for insurance protection. It was at this point that the General Agency grew and expanded rapidly to accommodate this exciting new type of business. We gradually became known as the Oil Industry’s insurance agent; specialists in the field to handle the coverages peculiar to the oil and gas industry. Today, after over 90 years of this experience, we remain specialists. In addition, we have developed a capacity to deal with the demands of other growing commercial businesses.
In 1954, Jack Weisenburger, son-in-law of Tip Carnahan joined the firm. Don Olson signed on in 1970, and in 1977 one of Jack’s four sons, Bob, entered the business, developing the Life, Health, Retirement Planning and Investments area.
The General Agency moved into its new enlarged office building on East Broadway. Soon after, in 1981, Mt. Pleasant native Mick Natzel joined the staff as a qualified Commercial Insurance Specialist with a wonderful target marketing experience with Federated Insurance Company. Then, in 1984 a significant acquisition/merger occurred with “Red” MacLean and the 37-year-old MacLean Agency; thus bringing 70 years of additional experience to an already experienced agency.
The Agency acquired long-term insurance agents; Bill Schueller of the Schueller Agency and Ev Brossard of the United Agency each bringing an additional 30 years of experience and service to Central Michigan’s insured. The Schueller Agency in particular brought the General Agency into another substantial market with its rich history of farm business. This unique and formidable market helped to continue to round out our total service agency.
As we celebrate our 100th year anniversary, The General Agency Company has never been more pleased to serve the insurance needs of the Mt. Pleasant and Central Michigan area. For a century, we have maintained our hometown attitude and recruited quality people that provide our customers with prompt, courteous, and professional attention. Our home base has extended throughout the state over the years with the same strong “hometown” attitude and philosophy.
“General Agency Company is committed to helping our clients manage the risks of everyday life and recover from the unexpected with proper insurance coverage, exemplary service, and a long-lasting relationship.”
The General Agency Company’s Core Values include: The highest level of service: To communicate, to respond, to solve. Consistent reliability: We are dependable, we are stable, we are the calm through any storm. Treating our partners with respect: within our industry, to our policyholders, and our employees.