Meet the owners of the oldest business in Ottawa (that we know of) Sarah (Oakleaf) and Charlie Porter, fourth- and fifth-generation owners of Porter-Spears and Bundy Insurance! Carey Porter, Charlie's great-grandfather, started the business in 1900 as a savings and loan. He quickly realized that people were also in need of insurance, so he added that piece. Carey's son, Charles T. Porter, later joined the business. Charles T. was killed in his mid-30s when his car was struck at a train crossing. That's when George Spears joined Carey to manage the insurance agency part of the business, becoming Porter-Spears. As the years went by, Charles' son, Tom, also joined the business, then Tom's son Charlie (officially Charles T. Porter II). Charlie was instrumental in their purchase of another local insurance company, Bundy Insurance, in 1980, while he was a junior in college. Sarah joined the family business after living in California for a bit after college. She decided she wanted to return to her hometown "where your neighbors can talk to you at the grocery store and ask you any question about insurance." Porter-Spears & Bundy Insurance offers many types of insurance, including property and casualty, life, crop, commercial, car and home. They are licensed in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Arizona, Colorado and Arkansas. Stop by and say hi and congratulate our oldest Ottawa business! Thank you for your commitment to your hometown.
