Featured Business

Howell- Craig Insurance Agency  
502 East Main Street in Cumberland , 43732 Ohio  Map/Directions
Phone: (740) 638-5058 or Toll Free 1-800-288-0936

Website: http://www.howellcraig.com/   Email: hcins@howellcraig.com

After working on the building for almost a year, the Howell- Craig Insurance Agency Inc. has moved its business office into the Village of Cumberland as of June 25. They are now located at 502 E. Main St. in what most everyone calls the Hennen Hardware Store (or Hennen Building). Residents and passers-by have watched the changes that they have been making to the building over the past year with great interest and anticipation.

   The building has become a local landmark, located at the intersection of Main and Cambridge streets, along two state highways (Routes 146 and 340). They have many stories to share about the building and rumors surrounding it. They found old fliers from the days that the building was a gym. The big hook for the punching bag was given to one of the fighters that used to train in the building.   Keeping an office open while moving is not an easy task but they were doing a great job on their first day in their new office. Pat and Travis were moving items from the old office, trouble shooting equipment and running errands. Darla and Megan were at the front desks taking payments and 'conducting business. In fact, Megan's first customers in the new office were Cumberland Mayor Viola Abrams and her son, Terry. The Mayor was really pleased that the Craig Family has been able to revitalize one of the most noticeable buildings in the village.  

The Howell-Craig Insurance Agency Inc. is a proud supporter of the Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department, local churches, organizations and events. They are a member of the Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce. Staff members at Howell-Craig belong to the Cambridge Lions and Lioness clubs, as well as the Byesville Rotary.            

Local farmer Raymond Howell who lived in Spencer Township a few miles northeast of the village started an independent insurance business to supplement his income. He named the business the Raymond Howell Insurance Agency. He ran the business from his dining room table and then later from a home office.In the 1960s and early 1970s, there were quite a few of the run-from-out-of-the house insurance companies formed in rural areas. Some were just agents for one company while others like Mr. Howell tried to associate with various companies so they were able to offer more types of coverage. Independent agents gave their customers the opportunity to pick the best coverage from a variety of sources. Mr. Howell built up his business over the years and enjoyed serving his friends and neighbors as well as customers from all over the region. Around 1989, Mr. Howell retired from the insurance business; his son-in-law, Patrick Craig had retired from the Army after 20 years of service and moved his family back to the Cumberland area. It was the perfect opportunity for Mr. Howell to transition out of the insurance world while his son-in law became a quick study of the business. They worked together for a couple of years and then Mr. Craig moved the office to his home, eventually devoting the basement to the business. By this time it was called the Howell-Craig Insurance Agency and then as the business grew it was eventually incorporated.  

In 2000, Darla Howell Craig joined her husband in the business. Over the past five or so years, two of the Craig’s three   Children - son, Travis Craig and daughter, Megan Craig Neal - joined the agency. The Craig Family encourages everyone to stop by their office to see their labor of love.