Kemp Insurance an Independent Agency for 49 Years
Kemp Insurance of Barnesville provided services to clients for nearly 50 years before merging with Tuscarawas Insurance Agency in February.
Bob Ullom of Somerton, who was a longtime fire chief of the Somerton Volunteer Fire Department, was an agent for the Ohio Mutual Insurance Company of Bucyrus. After several years of running the agency, Richard Kemp purchased it in 1976, renaming it Kemp Insurance.
Kemp first operated the business from his farm on Johnson Ridge Rd. in Somerton before relocating to an office at 280 West Main St., where it remains.
Kemp Insurance has been an independent agency offering personal, home, auto, farm owner, business and life insurance products with exceptional customer service setting it apart from other agencies in the area.
Kemp expanded the business, acquiring the Mildred Gladden Motorists Insurance Agency in St. Clairsville and JB Scales Insurance Agency, also in St. Clairsville, during his time as owner.
Kim Kemp Stephen purchased the agency from her father in 2000, operating it until this year.
Tuscarawas Insurance Agency purchased Kemp Insurance in February from Stephen, marking the opening of its fourth location. Stephen will still serve as an agent at the Barnesville location.
Insurance agencies have evolved since Kemp Insurance opened in the 1970s. Stephen said she can remember the days when her father had to go to every policy holder’s house every five years to do a review.
“I’ve been very grateful,” Stephen said. “It’s done a lot of things for my family, and we’ve helped a lot of people over the years.”
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