Founded in 1937

Meyer Agency was founded as the Schultz Agency in 1937. The founder, Louis C. Schultz, was a retired Chebanse Postmaster and he purchased the ornate Bank of Chebanse building at the corner of Chestnut and First North Street. The original plan was to open a currency exchange in the building since the Bank had failed during the depression and Chebanse residents needed a place to cash checks and do limited financial transactions. During the course of running the currency exchange many residents asked if Louis could write insurance, which was just starting to become popular in rural areas.

He became licensed and contracted with The Hartford. Louis C. Schultz ran the Agency until 1951 when his son, Louis M. Schultz returned from the service. Louis M. Schultz was the sole principal until 1970 when he sold the business to Howard Meyer, his nephew, who was farming at the time. Howard built the business and added Crop Insurance to the property casualty lines that were already being offered. Howard, along with his wife Melba and two secretaries built the business to the point that another agent was needed. In 1976 Howard was joined by his son, Jim, who had been living in the St. Louis area. Father and son worked together until 1990 when Howard’s health forced him to retire.