THIS IS "OUR" HISTORY – YOURS AND OURS! Since 1922 American Insurance has become an inseparable part of the communities it serves. Our history is also the history of the business and civic leaders who helped shape and build our local communities.
THE FOUR GENERATION STORY of the Sullivan family is below, starting with the current 4th generation and descending down each generation to our founding story from 1922.
EACH GENERATIONAL STORY carries a descriptive title highlighting that generation's contribution to American Insurance and includes:
- Video (:30 second) with historic pictures
- Audio (:60 second)
- Featured written story that includes more detail and historic pictures
- Side stories that provide more historic information and perspective
- Newsletter for that generation
100 YEARS AND COUNTING.... We can sum up our 100 years and the years to come by saying "thank you"! We are thankful for you, our loyal customers and friends; thankful for our dedicated employees; thankful for our outstanding company partners. Thank you for your continued trust and confidence in us to "Protect Your American Dream".
100 YEAR CELERATIONS! We held three celebration events in 2022 - an LC Valley Chamber of Commerce "Business After Hours" (Aug 18) and a Customer Appreciation BBQ (Aug 19) at the Lewiston office, and a Moscow Open House celebration on Aug 25. See photos and videos from our events on our blog page here.
VIDEO - Watch the Growers :30 video story here.
4th Generation Grower: Shawn D. Sullivan
Click on the headline above to read the article about Shawn's contributions and growth of the agency since 1994.
4th Generation Grower: Philip J. Sullivan
Click on the headline above to read the article about Philip joining the Agency in 2004 and his growth in the agency.
AUDIO - Listen to the Growers :60 radio story about Shawn and Philip here.
3rd Generation Builder: John B. Sullivan
Click the headline above to read how John B. Sullivan, the youngest son of Frank Sullivan, left a position in commercial radio sales and management to join the family insurance business on July 15, 1977.
- Fireworks, Food Drives & Community Service
- John B. Sullivan - The Early Years
- John B. Sullivan - Early Years: Gail Keller Scott stories about ‘Johnny’
- Independence Day Aerial Valley Fireworks Show – A family event on July 4 each year.
- Newsletter: The Builder - John B Sullivan
AUDIO - Listen to the Builder :60 radio story here.
VIDEO - Watch the Builder :30 video story here.
2nd Generation Planter: Frank "Sully" Sullivan
Click the headline above to read how Sully, an Iowa farm boy, became a successful insurance agent, well-known civic leader and second-generation Sullivan to own American Insurance. Also, read other related stories about Sully below:
- Community & Civic Volunteer -- Sully was a civic leader and active community volunteer for decades to make our valley a great place to live, work and have fun.
- GLADYS HUFFMAN - Sully was embarrassed! -- Gladys tells the story from 1963 about Sully that captures a rare moment of rest between his very busy community service and business life.
- Last Letters To Sully -- As a tribute to his memory we solicited “Last Letters to Sully” from those who had received many of his letters with news clippings and jokes over the years. Here are Gladys' letter and many others online here.
- THE RAT & THE WIND - Sully was one from "The Greatest Generation" that served in WWII. Read his B-17 crash and POW story here.
- SULLY'S WORST BIRTHDAY - Sully also served in the Korean War. This letter from Korea describes the events around his worst birthday ever!
- Newsletter: The Planter - Frank Sullivan
AUDIO - Listen to the Planter :60 radio story here.
VIDEO - View the Planter :30 story below.
1st Generation Pioneers: Harry & Blanche (Sullivan) Christy
Click the headline to read how American Insurance was founded in 1922 as the Mackey-Thiessen Investment Co. The name changed to American Insurance and Loan Co. in 1926. How the business came into the Sullivan family in 1928 is the story of our agency “Pioneers”, Harry and Blanche (Sullivan) Christy. Also, read other related stories below:
- SIDE-BY-SIDE: American Insurance & American Bank - Learn why the interconnected relationship between American Insurance and American Bank made sense and was so enduring.
AUDIO - Listen to the Pioneers :60 radio story here.
VIDEO - View the Pioneers :30 video story below.
Founder: OM Mackey
Click the headline to read the founding story of American Insurance, which would not be complete without first understanding the life and times of O.M. Mackey, an Illinois banker looking for new opportunities for business growth leading up to the "Roaring 20s". That entrepreneurial vision would lead to the founding of three major businesses in Lewiston that employed hundreds and built up the community.
AUDIO - Listen to the Founder :60 radio story here.
VIDEO - View the Founder :30 video story below.
SPECIAL EDITION HISTORIC NEWSLETTERS
- American Insurance - 100 Year Special Issue #5 Winter 2022
- American Insurance - 100 Year Special Issue #4 Celebration 2022
- American Insurance - 100 Year Special Issue #3 Summer 2022
- American Insurance - 100 years Special Issue #2 Spring 2022
- American Insurance - 100 Years: Special Issue #1 December 2021
Four Sullivan generations have had the privilege to touch the lives of thousands of our neighbors - as customers and employees, as claimants who receive needed insurance benefits, or as civic support and leadership to make our community strong. We’re excited to tell our story and yours as well of our 4 generations of Sullivan family ownership.
Wish to reach out to tell us your agency connection? Contact Marketing Manager Stephanie Herbert at community [at] am-ins [dot] com or call (208) 413-6242 to share your story.