History of the Ossipee Insurance Agency

We trace our origin back to 1910, with the founding of a modest Insurance office in Conway, New Hampshire. Arthur Kennison, a NH Superior Court Clerk, purchased the Agency in 1917 and relocated it to the Courthouse office in Ossipee, NH. Citing a "conflict of interest," the State asserted that Mr. Kennison could not be a Clerk of the Court as well as an Insurance Agent, and further required that the Agency to be removed from the Courthouse. Sam Paul, a plumber-by-trade and resident of Sanbornville, purchased the Agency in 1928. Violet and Hayes Sawyer, Sr. ran the business for Mr. Paul from their residence in Ossipee.

In need of more space, the Sawyers moved the office in the mid 1930's from their home to a space within
the local gas station. Mr. Paul rewarded the Sawyers for a job well done by making them partners in 1943. It was business as usual until 1960, when the business had grown to the point that Violet and Hayes, Sr. needed assistance.

Hayes Sawyer, Jr., then an adjuster for the New Hampshire Insurance Company, was brought into the Agency as a partner and outside salesman. The family purchased the Wentworth Agency in Brookfield, NH, in 1964 and the Mather McGrew Agency in Tamworth, NH, in 1969. Many of Hayes, Jr.'s seven children worked within the Agency in various capacities (claims, policy typists, filers) throughout the 1970's. The Agency also opened a satellite office in Sanbornville Village in 1975.

After 22 years in the business, Hayes, Jr. sold the Ossipee Insurance Agency to his son-in-law, Peter Earle, in 1985. With the desire for more space and better customer parking, the Agency moved to its current and main location, in the Hodsdon Farm Professional Building, on Route 16. Mr. Earle focused on implementing and utilizing automation in an effort to reduce expenses and deliver good service. He sold his interest in the business to the Chalmers Insurance Agency in 1995.

Today, the Ossipee Insurance Agency serves the needs of approximately 3,000 individuals and families and 700 businesses throughout the region.

Our group affiliations are with Chalmers Insurance Agency of Bridgton, ME, C E Carll Agency of Gorham, ME, Harrison Insurance Agency of Harrison, ME, Palmer Insurance Agency of Intervale, NH, Pike Insurance Agency of Fryeburg, ME, Pike Conway Dahl Agency of Conway, NH, Wadsworth Insurance Agency of South Hiram, ME and NAHGA, Inc., of Nashua, NH. Together, we are able to provide superior Personal & Commercial, Accident & Health and Life & Financial Insurance products with many of the finest, most financially stable carriers in the business. Our motto is “A Satisfied Customer is Our First Consideration,” and we continue to be successful by paying close attention to professional, courteous customer service and competitive pricing.