Shortly after the Civil War a group of German farmers in the Gordonville/Tilsit area of Cape Girardeau County felt there should be some unity of mutual protection of buildings. On the first day of February, 1869 at the Liberty School House the group formed the Cape Girardeau County Mutual Fire Insurance Association with John Neumeyer, Henry Boese, and Henry Werner as the first directors. For several decades even during the early part of the 20^th century records were written in the German language. With the beginning of Word War I, the company records were solely in the English language.

In the early days insurance was written on farm property and assessments were not paid until the end of the year after losses were taken into account. At the 1890 annual meeting it was reported the company had 335 members, total insurance coverage of $257,755 and a balance of $46.30 on hand. At the end of the first 25 years in 1894 the membership had grown to 772, total insurance coverage of $985,814, and a small balance of $118.85 in the treasury.

During the second twenty-five year period (1894-1918) the organization grew to 1550 members with total insurance coverage of $2,746,200. After the World War I in the first part of the third twenty-five year history (1919-1944) membership declined but, insurance coverage increased. Reasons for this change was as the numbers of farms decreased the size of farms increased. Also, the inflationary value of insured items and an increase in the list of items insured. During this period the mutual joined the National Association of Insurance Companies and secure counsel from the Mutual Insurance Company of Columbia, Missouri.

At the end of the fourth twenty-five year period (1945-1970) the mutual begin a Reserve Fund of $8,000 to which additions should be made annually and placed in the proper financial institution. At the 1968 annual meeting it was reported insurance in force was nearly $7 million, assessments for the year was $21,389.00, total assets of over $42,000.

In the mid 1970’s the name of the mutual was change to Gordonville Mutual Insurance Company. The company purchase their first office, a small frame building, in Gordonville in 1975. Prior to that time the company records were kept in the home of the secretary. A newer and larger home office at 192 State Highway Z in Gordonville was purchased in 1997.

In 1994 at the 125^th anniversary of the company there were 750 members and $37 million insurance in force in Cape Girardeau and adjoining counties.

On January 1, 2006, Community Mutual Insurance and Gordonville Mutual Insurance merged to form Missouri Heritage Mutual Insurance Company. The merged company had almost 2,200 policies, $322 million insurance in force, and $1 million in surplus. Currently, the company has 13 agents in southeast Missouri that write Homeowners, Farm Owners, Dwellings, and Rental properties. The company has 2,000 policies, with over $300 million insurance in force, and reserves of over $2 million.