The former Farmers Mutual Insurance building located at 540 Second Street in downtown Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – The building at 540 Second Street in Traer – the home of Farmers Mutual Insurance for just over 60 years – is for sale. Let’s explore the history behind this historic building…

The first frame building on the site was built by Marvin A. Newcomb, a native of Pennsylvania who brought his young family west to Wisconsin in 1857.

Newcomb eventually settled in Tama City – now Tama – in 1867. He served as the first mayor and justice of the peace. In 1874, he was lured to the fast growing town of Traer and opened a harness shop with his son Arthur Newcomb. In 1883, the West lured him to Woonsocket, Dakota Territory. His son Arthur continued the business in Traer until 1885.

Claus and Henry Sieh bought the property in 1885. The Sieh brothers learned the butcher trade in Germany and had a meat market in Reinbeck before coming to Traer. They built a magnificent brick building, 20×66 feet with a cellar. The main room was 10×30 with a 13 foot ceiling and a full plate glass front. The building also included an 8×12 foot ice room.

Sieh Bros. butchered and processed all the meat sold in the shop. A slaughter house was located across the alley. A third brother Ferdinand came to Traer to join the business and Claus moved to Sioux City, Iowa. The Sieh Bros. had two delivery wagons traveling country routes. They bought and sold fresh game and fish and also bought hides, tallow and pelts in season.

Farmers Savings Bank occupied 540 Second Street from 1915-1962 before relocating to the former Traer Creamery Building. PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE KADRMAS

In 1892, the Sieh Brothers sold the business, buildings and equipment to John and Alex Kleespie who came west from New York in 1882, settling first in Lincoln Township. For 10 years, the Kleespie Bros. conducted a first class meat market.

Willis Green and Henry Franzenburg bought the business in 1902 and sold it to Charles and Abe Logan in 1905. City Meat Market was operated by George Franzenburg and William Logan from 1907 to 1915.

In April 1915, Farmers Savings Bank of Traer was formed. The meat market building was purchased and extensively remodeled. The vault walls were 26 inches thick of brick and concrete with a Victor safe. The new bank featured a Brascolite lighting system with large hanging lamps, tile floors, Italian marble and mahogany fixtures and the latest equipment for computing balances and printing statements.

About 60 local investors bought stock in the new bank, mostly farmers. Otto Moeller joined the bank staff in 1922 and was responsible for the growth experienced during his tenure. Otto was credited for pulling the bank through the troublesome depression years of the 1930s.

Walter Moeller, Ruth Perry and Evelyn Noe also worked at the bank for many years. Due to health problems, Moeller sold controlling interest in the bank to Thomas and John McWhirter in 1954. John McWhirter was involved in another bank and his brother Tom McWhirter took over management of the Farmers Bank in Traer.

Farmers Savings Bank staff including (l-r) Walter Moeller, Evelyn Noe, Ruth Perry, and Otto Moeller. The bank was located at 540 Second Street from 1915-1962. After the bank relocated in 1962, the address became the home of Farmers Mutual Insurance which merged with another mutual last year. Today the building is vacant and for sale. PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE KADRMAS

In 1962, Farmers Bank bought the former Traer Creamery building and moved there after extensive remodeling.

Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. bought the building for a Traer office in 1954. A new front façade was added in 1972 along with major renovations to the interior office space.

In 2024, Farmers Mutual Insurance Association merged with Tama County Mutual Insurance Association which is located down the street at Eikamp Insurance, 622 E Second Street.

As of press time, the former Farmers Mutual Insurance building was vacant and listed for sale.

Additional information about occupants and years:

PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE KADRMAS

1875-1882: Harness Shop/Marvin A. Newcomb and Arthur G. Newcomb

1882-1885: Harness Shop/Arthur G. Newcomb

1886-1890: Sieh Bros. Meat Market/ brothers Claus and Henry Sieh

1890-1893: Sieh Bros. Meat Market/brothers Henry and Ferdinand Sieh

1893-1902: Meat Market/Alexander and John Kleespie

1902-1905: Meat Market/Henry Franzenburg and Wills Green

1905-1907: Logan Bros. Meat Market/Charlie and Abie Logan

1907-1915: City Meat Market/George Franzenburg and Willian Logan

1915-1962: Farmers Savings Bank

1962-2024: Farmers Mutual Insurance

2024-present: Vacant and for sale