Local insurance business marks 102 years

Schmadeke, Inc. Insurance and Real Estate has a 102-year history in Albion.
The business began in 1910 as an insurance agency owned by Michael Ruddy. His office was located on the second floor of the building now occupied by Bird & Wright, P.C. at Fourth and Church Streets. At that time, it was the Albion National Bank building.
Other owners of the agency through the years were Dave Carder and Ralph Beckwith.
Ralph Schmadeke joined the business in 1973, and he and his wife, Deb, have been owner-operators since 1974.
Details in the Oct. 31 Albion News Print & Electronic Editions.