Abstract & Title Company was established as a corporation on January 9, 1912. The original incorporators were WM. B. Sargent, J. K. Wright, and C. M. Lockwood.

The first title insurance policy issued by Abstract & Title Company was in 1929 through Title and Trust Company of Portland, the predecessor to the present Ticor Title Company. The first property covered was owned by George L. and Mary M. Southwick. It was in the late 1940’s following World War II that the use of title insurance became more popular in our area, finally totally replacing the old cumbersome abstract form of title evidence.

In 1917 Mr. B. F. Wylde purchased an interest in Abstract & Title Company and became the sole owner. He eventually purchased Union County Abstract Company and merged it into the Abstract & Title Company.

Mr. Wylde retired due to health at the age of 94 years, but at that advanced age, he still possessed a sharp mind and a title problem was always a challenge to him.

For nearly 50 years, officers of the company were members of the Wylde family, first with Mr. Wylde and his wife, Irma M. Wylde, who was active until her death in 1970. The elder son, David G. Wylde, joined the company after returning from military service in World War II. The younger son, Stuart F. Wylde, became president of Abstract & Title Company in 1983.

After Stuart Wylde’s death in 1988, Robert W. Wilkins and Joyce R. Wilkins purchased the company from the Wylde family. They pledged to continue the same philosophy of giving the best possible service to our customers and the public.

On January 3, 2005, Abstract & Title Company became part of the Stewart Title family of title insurance companies. It is still managed by Dennis Watterson, President, who has been with the company since 1991. Dennis and all the Abstract & Title staff continue to strive to provide the best possible service to our customers and the public.