Aiken’s
oldest and largest Independent Insurance Agency, Hutson-Etherredge
Companies, was founded in 1876 by John C. Hutson (1855-1929),
and for many years was known as the John C. Hutson Agency. Mr.
Hutson would travel to Ellenton, SC by horse and buggy
to get on a train and go as far away as Yemassee, SC, stopping
at various small towns along the way to conduct business. In
these times, there were no published insurance rates and
Mr. Hutson would map the property, sketch
the buildings, and use a rate he developed (according
to the construction and exposure) to issue contracts of
insurance.
Mr. J. W. Ashhurst, another prominent Aiken insurance
agent, formed a partnership with Mr. Hutson and became Hutson & Company.
This partnership dissolved in 1889, and Mr. Ashhurst formed the J. W. Ashhurst
Agency. The two firms competed, however, nearly 100 years later, the two would
merge.
After the turn of the Century, Mr. Hutson’s
son, Osma Bacot Hutson (1885-1942) joined the business and the firm became the
John C. & O. B. Hutson Agency. After John C. Hutson’s death in 1929,
the firm became the O. B. Hutson Agency. The entire Hutson family were outstanding
citizens and contributed much to Aiken and the community.
