Our Story
Major John B. Downing was born in Rutland, Ohio in February 1834. After being educated at Marietta College, he spent 27 years as a pilot and boat owner on the Mississippi River, operating between St. Louis and New Orleans. Downing became one of the most experienced river boat pilots on the Mississippi. His reknown was such that he was sought out by Mark Twain to teach him piloting.
Later Twain gave him the nickname “Alligator Jack” and referenced him in his book Life on the Mississippi. During the Civil War, Downing was responsible for piloting the fleet involved in General U.S. Grant‘s pivotal 1863 Vicksburg, Mississippi Campaign.
After the war, Major Downing left the rivers and married Romaine Miller and started our insurance agency in Middleport, Ohio in 1868. Our agency stayed in the Downing Family’s hands until 1958, when it was purchased by Bill Childs, a local businessman whose smile and enthusiasm for life “infected” everyone he ever met. Bill’s partne at the Meigs Inn Restaurant, John Musser, joined the agency in 1977.
The agency relocated to Pomeroy, Ohio after acquiring the Mullen Agency in 1982. In 2004, the agency also acquired the Williams Agency of Pomeroy. John Musser bought the agency outright in 2005. His son, Steve Musser, joined the family business the same year, bringing a wealth of experience in food and agribusiness to the firm. Prior to joining the agency, Steve had been a partner in the Indianapolis-based food and agricultural consulting firm ABG, Inc. When ABG was sold in 2005, Steve and his family were able to return home and he began using what he’d learned to benefit Downing-Childs & Musser clients.
Together, our six professionally licensed insurance agents have over 90 years worth of experience in serving businesses and individuals. We try to make everything as easy and economical for our clients as possible.
Are we perfect? No, far from it. But taking care of our clients is our first priority. We think it shows, as evidenced by our recently having been named Best in Customer Service for Gallia, Mason and Meigs Counties by the readers of the Sunday Times Sentinel.
While this is obviously a local poll, we bring the same dedication to our clients regardless of where they are located.
Give us a chance to make insurance easy for you.