The Farmer from Merna: A Biography of George J. Mecherle and a History of the State Farm Insurance Companies of Bloomington, Illinois Paperback – January 1, 1955

I bought this book to help me understand State Farm. I ended up learning so much, and this is a must read!

This is without a doubt the finest book ever written about the beginnings of an insurance company started in Central Illinois. A riveting thrill ride of non stop descriptions about a farmer and a dream.

a great story

loved the book, not what I expected

"State Farm was launched in 1922, by a 45-year-old, semi-retired Illinois farmer, to compete with long-established insurers ¾ haughty institutions in New York, Philadelphia and Hartford ¾ that possessed overwhelming advantages in capital, reputation, and distribution. Because State Farm is a mutual company, its board members and managers could not be owners, and it had no access to capital markets during its years of fast growth. Similarly, the business never had the stock options or lavish salaries that many people think vital if an American enterprise is to attract able managers and thrive. In the end, however, State Farm eclipsed all its competitors. In fact, by 1999 the company had amassed a tangible net worth exceeding that of all but four American businesses. If you want to read how this happened, get a copy of The Farmer from Merna."-Warren Buffet, Year 2000 Berkshire Hathaway Annual ReportInstant gratification it is not. But America has had too much instant gratification, and now it is time to get back to work.

Overall a fairly dull book. The pre-insurance life of Mecherle family and G.J's early life are interesting. The book is written in history style that is no longer used and the book ends up getting pretty dry and boring. The book explains why State Farm went from a tiny mutual company and expanded to be America's largerst Auto and Home insurer in the US.Not the worst book you will read, but not the best. If you are into business history or insurance it proably should be read by you.