On April 6, 1853, David Gehley took a chance.  

Gehley, a wool manufacturer and a member of the State House of Representatives, that day founded the Farmers Fire Insurance Co. in York.

The next year, David Strickler would become the young company's secretary.  Today, Strickler's great grandson, David M. Small is president and the fifth generation of his family to serve Farmers Fire Insurance.

Small's grandfather, Edwin K. McConkey was secretary/treasurer from 1900-1910; his grandmother, Annie S. McConkey was secretary from 1910-1938; and her daughter, Hannah M. Small, David's mother, served as assistant secretary from 1938 to 1963.

The sixth generation of the family, Katherine Ludwick, Small's daughter, is currently the assistant treasurer.

The firm's first offices were located in two rented rooms in what was known as the "Goodridge" building on the northwest corner of Continental Square.

In 1871, Farmer's Fire purchased the building at 53 E. Market St.  The company remained there until November 1997, when it purchased the former Yorktowne Mutual building at 2875 Eastern Blvd. in Springettsbury Township.