From insurers to builders to a co-op, these Iowa businesses have stood the test of time

As part of its 175th birthday celebration, the Des Moines Register asked Iowa businesses that have been around for a century or more to share their own stories. Here they are:

3E

Offices: Windsor Heights

Founded: 1920

What we do: Commercial electrical distributor.

Employees: 250

About us: 3E has grown from being a purely electric motor shop to 11 shops across Iowa, supporting generators, electrical distribution, robot automation and solar projects.

Adams Funeral Home

Location: Ames

Founded: 1899

What we do: Funerals.

Employees: 15

About us: We were founded in a furniture store on Main Street in Ames and later moved into our permanent location, which was the home of Mary Greeley, founder of the Mary Greeley Medical Center.

Agnew & Soseman Insurance Agency

Offices: Holstein

Founded: 1920

What we do: Insurance.

Employees: 3

About us: Elizabeth Kistenmacher and her husband, David, are the third generation to own the agency, which was started by Kistenmacher’s grandmother, Mae Dusenberry Soseman.

Ahlers & Cooney P.C.

Offices: Des Moines

Founded: 1888

What we do: Public sector law firm.

Employees: 72

About us: In 1908, Grace Ballantyne, an associate at the firm, and founding partner William H. Baily represented women seeking to vote in a Des Moines election to approve a new City Hall. The Iowa Supreme Court ultimately voided the election because women as a class were barred from voting. Today, more than half of the firm’s attorneys are women, and 5/6ths of the leadership positions are held by women.

ALMACO

Offices: Nevada

Founded: 1884

What we do: Design and make custom equipment including planting, harvesting and seed processing systems and plot management technologies for the seed research industry.

Employees: 200

About us: Think about all the corn and soybean fields that you see when you drive through the Midwest. Each one of those fields is planted with seeds that were developed with the use of ALMACO seed research equipment. The machines that ALMACO builds in central Iowa have helped researchers complete important work to develop the seeds planted across the country.

American Abstract & Title Co.

Offices: Des Moines

Founded: 1856

What we do: Real estate titles, research and evidencing products for homeowners, attorneys, lenders and real estate brokers in Polk and Dallas counties.

Employees: 32

About us: We maintain a collection of recorded real estate documents known as a "Title Plant" that dates back over a century and a half and provides full title history for every parcel of real estate in Polk and Dallas counties. This collection contains millions of pages of documents in every format from handwritten records and microfilm to digital images.

ATURA Architecture

Offices: Clear Lake

Founded: 1923

What we do: Full-service architectural firm specializing in K-12 education, manufacturing and recreational facility design.

Employees: 15

About us: Our firm was the original designer of the historic Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. In 2013 ATURA was acquired by the now-owner and restorer of the Surf Ballroom, Dean Snyder Construction. A new Surf Ballroom Immersive Museum is being constructed next door, reflecting the design of the original 1933 Surf.

Bankers Advertising Co.

Offices: Iowa City

Founded: 1896

What we do: Make and sell custom promotional products

Employees: 85

About us: As a pioneer in the industry, Bankers Advertising has excelled by making manufacturing part of the business and produces a sizable portion of its product offerings. With fourth- and fifth-generation leaders, Bankers Advertising embodies the spirit of continuous improvement and commitment.

Bankers Trust

Offices: Des Moines

Founded: 1917

What we do: Consumer and commercial banking services.

Employees: 500

About us: Unlike many other banks that are going through mergers and acquisitions, Bankers Trust has had the same name since it was founded in 1917 and has never been acquired by another financial institution. Bankers Trust has been locally owned for all 107 years, including sole ownership by the Ruan family since the mid-1960s.

Boeke Funeral Homes

Locations: Hubbard and Radcliffe

Founded: 1892

What we do: Funeral home.

Employees: 2

About us: Mark Boeke says his great-grandfather, Henry Simon Boeke, became the first licensed embalmer in the family, passing his state board exam with a score of 84%, though his formal education ended with the fourth grade in Germany. Mark Boeke’s grandfather, father and he all have followed as licensed funeral directors, and the sixth generation, his daughter Emily, plans to join the firm this fall.

Carter Printing Co.

Offices: Des Moines

Founded: 1920

What we do: Commercial printing and mailing service, including materials for local and national political campaigns.

Employees: 9

About us: Family owned, Carter may be the oldest remaining printing company in Des Moines.

CL Tel

Offices: Clear Lake

Founded: 1895

What we do: Fiber internet, TV, phone and security services.

Employees: 37

About us: CL Tel's founders brought the first telephones to Clear Lake in 1878, just two years after Alexander Graham Bell patented the invention. Iowa's first long-distance call was made in 1879 from Clear Lake. CL Tel was a founding member of an early statewide fiber optic network, built to ensure advanced technologies for rural Iowa communities.

Community State Bank

Offices: Ankeny

Founded: 1902

What we do: Community bank with regional parent QCR Holdings Inc.

Employees: 155

About us: Community State Bank was the first to open in Ankeny, originating the year before the town was incorporated. That was five years before Ankeny had electricity or a fire department and nearly 60 years before the town had home postal delivery.

Des Moines Marble and Mantel Co.

Offices: Des Moines

Founded: 1877

What we do: Commercial subcontractor installing porcelain, ceramic, quarry and marble tile.

Employees: 20

About us: The business is currently owned by the second generation of Italian immigrants who purchased it from the third generation of the Golden family in 1978.

Des Moines Stamp

Offices: Des Moines

Founded: 1880

What we do: Maker of custom rubber stamps. Also owner of American Graphics & Installations, a full-service graphics and signage company.

Employees: 20

About us: Mark Child is the fourth generation of his family to run the business, and three of those generations still live in Des Moines, including his 99-year-old grandfather who “still has a key and comes down to the office some weekends to snoop around.”

EMC Insurance

Offices: Des Moines

Founded: 1911

What we do: Commercial property and casualty insurance, bonds and life insurance.

Employees: 1,100 in Iowa

About us: We have about 2,200 team members in 46 states and across 17 offices. EMC writes more than 500 classes of commercial property and casualty business. We write through independent agents in more than 3,800 agency locations. EMC's longest agency contract is 92 years.

Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Co. of Iowa

Offices: West Des Moines

Founded: 1893

What we do: Comprehensive risk management solutions for America’s farmers, including private and federal crop insurance, reinsurance and brokerage services.

Employees: 352

About us: Founded by farmers, for farmers, in Early, Iowa, FMH is one of the last remaining crop insurance companies headquartered in America and owned by American farmers. The company has been led by the Rutledge family for five generations, starting with W.A. Rutledge and his wife, Jessie, who handwrote the first 2,650 policies.

FEH Design

Offices: Des Moines headquarters, also in Dubuque, Sioux City and Milwaukee

Founded: 1898

What we do: Architecture, structural engineering and interior design.

Employees: 46 in Iowa

About us: We design in a unique way — a Spark Session. We come to our clients with our architectural tools, listen to their ideas and draw options together. Our founders would be proud that hand-drawn designs live on!

Fillenwarth Beach Resort

Location: Arnolds Park

Founded: 1919

What we do: Vacation resort on West Lake Okoboji.

Employees: 85

About us: We are a family-owned-and-operated resort, spanning over three generations. Many of our guests also span over three or more generations, returning each year with more family and friends for fun and relaxation.

Grinnell Mutual

Offices: Grinnell

Founded: 1909

What we do: Property-casualty insurance and reinsurance for farm mutual insurers.

Employees: 606

About us: Founded as the Iowa Farmers Mutual Reinsurance Association, Grinnell Mutual was the first statewide organization of its kind in the United States and today is the nation’s largest reinsurer of farm mutuals.

Henkel Construction Co.

Offices: Mason City

Founded: 1892

What we do: General construction, construction management and design-build services for commercial, industrial, institutional and specialty markets throughout Iowa and the Midwest.

Employees: 135

About us: In Henkel's 132-year history, we've been building hospitals, schools, churches and constructing other commercial and industrial projects in over 20 states. Our experience in education began over a century ago, and the baby boom post-WWII had us doing hundreds of K-12 and university/college projects across the Midwest, including at all three of Iowa's public universities.

Hubbell Realty Co.

Offices: West Des Moines

Founded: 1856

What we do: Real estate development.

Employees: 560 in Iowa

About us: Hubbell Realty Co.'s founder, F.M. Hubbell, helped establish Equitable Life Insurance Co. of Iowa, Iowa's first life insurance company, build a Des Moines street railway and freight railroad and establish the Des Moines Water Works, among other ventures. In 1884, he purchased Terrace Hill, now the Iowa governor’s mansion.

ILC Resources

Offices: Urbandale

Founded: 1924

What we do: Provide calcium carbonate products, primarily for agriculture.

Employees: 60

About us: Grace Doane Pierce, believed to be the first woman to receive a Ph.D. from Drake University, assumed the presidency of the company after her spouse died in the 1930s. She went on to establish a foundation and a scholarship at Drake.

IMT Insurance

Offices: West Des Moines

Founded: 1884

What we do: Personal and commercial insurance for customers in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Employees: 331 in Iowa

About us: We're celebrating 140 years in 2024. IMT is proud of our heritage and our roots, from our founding by a farmer in Wadena, Iowa, to our hundreds of employees in the Midwest (and beyond) today.

Josephs Jewelers

Location: West Des Moines

Founded: 1871

What we do: Full-service jewelry store with eight bench jewelers, two watchmakers and three certified gem appraisers.

Employees: 52

About us: We were founded before Budweiser, splinter-proof toilet paper and the sewing machine. We are five generations strong and got our start timing the railroads, making license plates and selling eyeglasses.

Kintzinger, Harmon, Konrardy PLC

Offices: Dubuque

Founded: 1897

What we do: Full-service law firm.

Employees: 10

About us: The firm's founder, John W. Kintzinger, served on the Iowa Supreme Court from 1933 to 1938, including a term as chief justice.

Kurtz Hardware

Offices: Des Moines

Founded: 1866

What we do: Provide doors, frames and hardware for commercial projects.

Employees: 10

About us: Kurtz Hardware is believed to be the oldest family-run business in Des Moines.

Landus

Offices: Des Moines

Founded: 1907

What we do: Farmer-owned agricultural conglomerate.

Employees: 550 in Iowa

About us: Starting as a farming cooperative, we've grown into a business that operates in 34 states and 16 countries. We also have the largest mechanical soybean crush facility in North America.

Lane & Waterman LLP

Offices: Davenport

Founded: 1852

What we do: Full-service law firm.

Employees: 60

About us: One of the most interesting facts about Lane & Waterman is the continuity of the Waterman family's involvement across five generations, with six members still living and three in active legal practice.

LBS

Offices: Des Moines

Founded: 1921

What we do: Bookbinding and packaging.

Employees: 50

About us: One of the most fascinating aspects of LBS is our transformation over more than a century from a small bookbindery into a global supplier. A pivotal moment came in 2014, when we transitioned from family ownership to becoming 100% employee-owned, ensuring every team member has a stake in our success and innovation.

MARSHALLTOWN

Offices: Marshalltown

Founded: 1890

What we do: Manufacturer of construction tools and equipment sold in major hardware retailers worldwide.

Employees: 175

About us: We have been in the same location in our namesake Marshalltown since 1904.We were the first company to put a soft grip handle on a construction tool, revolutionizing the hand tool industry.

McGregors Furniture & Mattress

Offices: Marshalltown

Founded: 1896

What we do: Home furnishings and mattress retailer.

Employees: 20

About us: Erin McGregor is the fourth generation to lead the company and the first female. We have three locations in Iowa: Marshalltown, Ottumwa and Waterloo. Our Marshalltown location survived a July 19, 2018, tornado that required a 2½-year reconstruction of the downtown building we have been in since 1928.

McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC

Offices: Des Moines

Founded: 1924

What we do: Intellectual property boutique law firm with clients in 160 countries.

Employees: 37

About us: The firm's founder, Talbert Dick, was an attorney and inventor credited with multiple patents including the original one for a golf bag stand, granted in 1928. In 2001, Ed Sease successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in J.E.M. AG Supply Inc. v. Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., confirming utility patent protection for plants.

Merchants White Line Warehousing Inc.

Offices: Altoona

Founded: 1880

What we do: Distribution, warehousing, transportation, third-party logistics.

Employees: 32

About us: Many of our buildings and facilities gave way to new development over the years. For instance, our building in 1910 at Ninth and Mulberry streets in downtown Des Moines, later owned by Younkers, was imploded in 2001 to make way for the Wells Fargo parking ramp. And our building at 29th Street at one point in time became the Polk County Jail Annex.

Nelson Electric Co.

Offices: Ames

Founded: 1908

What we do: Full-service electrical contractor.

Employees: 70

About us: We were founded in Ames in 1908 as the first electrician after the municipal utility opened up electrical work to private contractors. Prior to that, the work was performed by the city. The first company vehicle was a horse-drawn wagon.

Nyemaster Goode PC

Offices: Des Moines, Ames, Cedar Rapids

Founded: 1918

What we do: Law firm.

Employees: 185

About us: Founded by prominent Des Moines attorneys J.L. Parrish and M.H. Cohen, the firm has nearly 90 attorneys serving clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. We like to say we have Iowa roots, global reach.

Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Co.

Offices: Algona

Founded: 1909

What we do: Insurance for local pharmacies.

Employees: 200

About us: Pharmacists Mutual was founded in Titonka, insuring only pharmacies in Iowa. Now it is one of the largest companies in its field, insuring pharmacies in all 50 states.

Principal Financial Group

Offices: Des Moines

Founded: 1879

What we do: Global financial services company.

Employees: 6,688 in Iowa

About us: Principal became a public company on Oct. 3, 2001. We were the first major company to issue an initial public offering after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It was a display of confidence in the financial markets and in our country’s ability to rebound from the devastating event. The IPO set Principal on a path of exponential growth and global expansion, increasing our market cap nearly tenfold in just over two decades.

Pritchard Family Auto Stores

Offices: Clear Lake

Founded: 1913

What we do: Automobile dealer.

Employees: 280

About us: Pritchard Family Auto Stores, with eight locations, is still run by the same family that started it all from a humble Ford dealership in Garner 111 years ago. Joe Pritchard, president and CEO, is a nationally recognized industry veteran and member of the fourth generation of company leadership. Three fifth-generation family members serve in leadership roles, and the company has grown to encompass several national brands.

Prugh Funeral Service

Location: Burlington

Founded: 1852

What we do: Funeral service, crematory, pre-planning.

Employees: 21

About us: For five generations, Prugh Funeral Service has been under family leadership, from father to son and father to daughter. Lindsay Prugh Fruehling is now operating the business.

Russell Abstract & Title

Offices: Adel

Founded: 1872

What we do: Abstracts of title for real estate and loan transactions.

Employees: 7

About us: Family owned for 152 years, founded by our great-great grandfather J.W. Russell. Currently owned and operated by Kent and Brett Glenn, the fifth generation, Russell Abstract & Title has been operating the entire 152 years in the same building at the same location.

Shive-Hattery

Offices: Cedar Rapids and 15 more nationally

Founded: 1895

What we do: Architecture and engineering in public infrastructure and public buildings and the commercial, industrial, higher education and health care sectors.

Employees: 360

About us: Twenty percent of staff have attended Iowa State University, including founders Jim Shive and Don Hattery. The two were classmates in the 1950s. After graduation, Jim joined his father at Shive Engineering and Don went off to the Navy for a few years. After returning to Iowa, the two renewed their friendship and became business partners.

The Vernon Co.

Offices: Newton

Founded: 1902

What we do: Provide client-branded merchandise as a way to advertise and promote their business.

About us: The Vernon Company is owned by the same family who founded the business more than 120 years ago and has remained in the same industry throughout our history. We continue to evolve and remain a key player. Our commitment to investing in the latest technology strengthens our future goals.

Von Maur

Offices: Davenport

Founded: 1872

What we do: Operate 37 department stores in 15 states, plus an e-commerce warehouse.

Employees: 784 in Iowa

About us: For more than 150 years, Von Maur has been family owned and led. The leadership of the Von Maur family, including its fourth generation CEO Jim von Maur, has been instrumental in guiding the company's growth.

The Weitz Co.

Offices: Des Moines

Founded: 1855

What we do: Architecture, engineering and construction.

Employees: 708 in Iowa

About us: Charles H. Weitz started the now-$1 billion firm as a small carpentry shop in what was then Fort Des Moines. Among its many projects: a $3 million addition to the Register and Tribune building in downtown Des Moines in 1947. The addition was erected around the existing facility so operations at the paper could continue during construction.

Wells Fargo & Co.

Offices: Based in San Francisco, with local main Iowa offices in West Des Moines

Founded: 1852, with first Iowa office in 1972

What we do: Financial services. Wells-Fargo’s mortgage division is based in the Des Moines metro.

Employees: 12,500 in Iowa

About us: The Wells Fargo wagon was a familiar sight in cities throughout the country, including Mason City, the hometown of playwright and composer Meredith Willson. In 1957, Willson’s musical “The Music Man” opened on Broadway with the lively “Wells Fargo Wagon” song that celebrated the arrival of a wagon filled with exciting packages and band instruments for the people of River City.

Woodford Lumber and Home Improvement

Location: Clear Lake

Founded: 1869

Products/services: Lumber and building materials, hardware and home store, with professional design services.

Employees: 11

About us: Woodford Lumber and Home is Clear Lake's oldest continuously operated business. It was established the same year the Golden Spike was hammered in as part of the transcontinental railroad.