George J. Mecherle

George Jacob "G.J." Mecherle (pronounced "Ma-herl") (June 7, 1877–March 10, 1951) was the founder of State Farm, headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois. Mecherle, a farmer who later became an insurance agent, founded State Farm after becoming dissatisfied with the insurance rates charged to farmers, as those rates included the risks of city drivers as well.