The origins of Hickok and Boardman, Inc go back to 1821 when Aetna Insurance Company was searching for representation in Vermont. It was at this time that Aetna signed a contract with William Follet of Griswold & Follet, which marked the beginning of what is now known as Hickok & Boardman, Inc. Much has happened since 1821; however one focus has remained true throughout the years: a commitment to providing superior customer service.
A number of people led the charge in maintaining this level of service over the years. Namely George Shaw (who ran the company from 1846 - 1857) followed by Samon Wires then Charles Frizzle and Elmer Bailey (who joined Charles in 1887). At this time, the agency was still predominantly only involved in property insurance. Policies from 1892 hang on the agency's wall from when we insured cargo from the steamship Oliaro, and the library collection of the Vergennes City library in 1887.
The country experienced many dramatic changes during the Industrial Revolution and so did the agency. Julius Hickok joined Elmer Bailey in 1888. The office was located in Burlington on the northeast corner of Church Street and College Street. Five years later Henry Hickok joined his father at which point the firm moved to Vergennes for a short period. Later the office relocated to the northwest corner of St. Paul Street and Main Street in Burlington for a number of years before moving to 162 College Street in the late 1930s.
In the early 1920’s, I. Munn Boardman was working as Henry Hickok's chauffeur while working his way through college. Upon graduating from UVM in 1922 he joined Mr. Hickok and he became a partner a few years later. In 1925 the name of the agency was changed to Hickok & Boardman. At the untimely death of Mr. Hickok in 1931, I. Munn Boardman purchased the agency. During the ensuing years, additional insurance coverage lines were added. Liability was becoming an issue in the 1940s and 1950s. During this time, life insurance emerged and automobile insurance became a bigger part of the business.
In 1968 I. Munn Boardman Sr. sold his business to his three sons Munn, Jr., Bob, and Dave. By this time the company had expanded to include real estate and life insurance sales, to supplement the existing property and casualty insurance business.
During the 1970s the company experienced a major "growth spurt":
- In 1971 Hickok & Boardman built their present office at 346 Shelburne Road and in 1988 three more floors were added to accommodate its growth;
- The St. Albans office was purchased in 1979;
- Associates in Financial Planning was established in 1979.
This broadened the life insurance department into a full-scale financial planning division to include stocks, bonds, group benefits, and the continuation of the life and health insurance business.
During the 1980’s the real estate and financial planning divisions of Hickok & Boardman became separate corporations with common ownership of Munn, Bob and Dave Boardman. Hickok & Boardman, Inc. continued to focus only on property and casualty insurance for individuals and corporations. As the 1980s evolved the company expanded with an additional satellite company in Stowe.
In 1994, Hickok & Boardman, Inc. was purchased by Scott Boardman, Mike Boardman, Munn Boardman, Paul Plunkett and Carla Boardman Smalling. Hickok and Boardman of St. Albans, Inc and Hickok and Boardman of Stowe, Inc are managed by Munn Boardman and Rich Smith, respectively. Today Hickok & Boardman Realty Inc. and Hickok & Boardman Financial Planning & Group Benefits, Inc. have separate (although related) ownership and management from Hickok & Boardman, Inc.
On April 3, 2000 Denis, Ricker & Brown, Inc. became affiliated with Hickok & Boardman. DRB has offices in Montpelier, Lyndonville, Northfield and Waterbury providing homeowner, auto, and life insurance for individuals as well as property and casualty insurance and group benefits for businesses in these communities. Together, Denis, Ricker & Brown and Hickok & Boardman is one of the larger insurance agencies in New England. Not only are we large, but the core strength of both agencies is our customer service, integrity, and experience. This will continue to be the key to our future success for the next 185 years!
