Our History
In 1934, Martin Jackson Knapp was looking to supplement his income upon his approaching retirement from the railroad. Switching career paths, Marty opened up an office off the north side of his home and the M.J. Knapp Agency was born. This office became a prosperous place where clients stopped to do business with him for many years.
When Marty’s son, Larry J. Knapp, had fulfilled his service with the Navy, he purchased the agency and managed it from 1968 until 1996. Larry carried on the values of family and authenticity and ran the business out of he and his wife Marilyn’s home on State Route 95. In 1981, in the heart of Larry’s tenure running the family business, M.J. Knapp Insurance Agency, Inc. purchased Roger Shearer’s Insurance Agency in Richwood. This growth to an already sizable agency led to moving records and personnel to this new Richwood location. Both offices were maintained until Larry moved on to retirement.
Larry and Marilyn’s daughter, Jennifer L. Conroy, bought the agency in 1996 after having successfully worked in the agency as a licensed agent since 1983. Jennifer has purchased Larry’s home/office since the passing of Marilyn and proudly runs the office in a similar fashion as her father and grandfather did – out of her home. Even with both the LaRue and Richwood locations, the agency still has that small town, homey feel as you walk in the door and Jennifer is dedicated to providing her clients with a comfortable and personal experience.