Mason Insurance in Welland celebrates 100 years
Business has deep family roots in Welland
A lot has changed since a time when an auto insurance policy cost $42 per year and potential clients had to declare their skin colour on an application form.
These are two realities of the insurance business from 100 years ago when Mason Insurance was established in Welland – a local business still going strong today that held a centennial anniversary celebration on Wednesday for clients, staff of the past and present, and other community partners.
The company was founded by Stanley Owen Mason in 1919 and was later operated by two of his sons – Don and Bob.
Stanley died in 1981 and Don in 2006 – but Bob was one of the more than 50 people who gathered at their King Street office for an open house that included several pieces of historic memorabilia centred around the business’ rich history.
The 87-year-old said the relationships made with clients many years ago still stand out in his mind today.
“We used to have a lot of fun with them,” he said, adding that the cost of insurance is “a lot more expensive” now than it was decades ago.
Bob was president of the company after his brother from 1989 until 1994 when Bill Hunter took over the lead role – which he gave up only this past summer. It’s been a great ride and Hunter is thrilled to have been part of the iconic Welland company that provides home, auto, commercial and life insurance – as well as financial services.
“The amazing part is the staff that’s so integrated into the community,” said Hunter on
Wednesday.
The first receipt filed by the company, newspaper clippings and various documents were all on display at the recent occasion.
“They’ve really kept the archives of the company beautiful and up to date,” said Hunter, who started working for Mason Insurance in 1992 – and still does today.
He told The Tribune he is a proud ‘Masonite,’ a nickname people who have worked for the company have been given.
Jim Vaughan, the owner of Ground Aerial Maintenance Services Ltd., a full-service electrical contractor that specializes in utility and line services and has been around for 50 years, met the Mason family during the aftermath of the Blizzard of ’77.
It’s been a seamless business relationship since then, he said at the open house.
“We keep coming back because they’re awesome people,” he said. “They’re bang-on with everything they do,” he added.
Current president Todd Minor has worked for the insurance provider for 20 years. He said their “community roots” are a result of staying in business for 100 years.
The company’s first location was on the second floor of a building on East Main Street before moving to an office on Cross Street in 1924 – and another on the same street in 1927.
In 1979, Mason Insurance moved to Division Street and to its current location in 1998.