Marshall & Sterling Insurance Company – Origins

By Bill

By Bill Kleppel

Marshall + Sterling is a diversified insurance company with 36 locations throughout the United States and The Virgin Islands. Did you know this agency has been part of our community for 160 years?

Their headquarters is a large, yet unobtrusive brick building down at 110 Main Street. As a business entity, it doesn’t generate much notoriety or fanfare, and seems to be underneath the radar of social media exposure… It is an insurance company after all. Their longevity and success seem to depend on these qualities, and that’s very commendable.

However, the origin stories behind its founders are fascinating and far from being dull! Their beginnings involve manufacturing guns, hardware, and sporting goods; building horse drawn carriages, making a lot of money, an inheritance squabble, and a family shooting.

Joseph H. Marshall and the Sterlings’ were deeply ensconced in Poughkeepsie society before their ultimate success with insurance.

Joseph H. Marshall

Joseph H. Marshall was born on Main Street in 1825 (at the eventual site where Schwartz Wholesale Tobacconist Company was housed at 313 Main Street). He grew up in Salt Point, New York, and married Sarah D. Ricketson of Poughkeepsie in 1845. They moved to western New York and attempted to work a farm for several years before returning to Salt Point… It became apparent that farming just wasn’t in Joseph’s blood.

Upon returning, he tried his hand at building carriages and wagons under the employ of John W. Frederick. He learned the trade quickly and became successful at it. In 1857, Joseph teamed up with John Brooks to form their first carriage-making business.

He soon bought out Brooks and continued the store under his own name, but Joseph seemed restless and felt the need to broaden his horizons even more. In 1864, he started a side career selling insurance. By 1871, Joseph’s manufacturing days were officially over, and his decades long run as a prominent insurance agent in town had begun.

As a local citizen, Joseph was heavily involved in several societies and lodges throughout Poughkeepsie. He also entered the 21^st Regiment State Militia during the Civil War, rising to the rank of lieutenant. Joseph was an alderman for his ward, and a choirmaster in the Washington Street M.E. Church, where he played the organ as well.

His amiable and trustworthy nature made him very popular and well liked in town. People also relied on his expertise and knowledge regarding insurance. He stayed on top of the industry’s advancements, which were changing and becoming more complicated by the day. Joseph branched out to do business with larger insurance firms in New York City to bolster his standing with his clientele. He had certainly found his calling.

The Sterling Family

Active for many years at 340 Main Street, the Sterling family sold hardware, sporting goods, and ran a gun shop. Elisha Sterling first went into business with William B. West during the 1860’s. When the elder West dropped dead in 1879, Elisha’s sons, William (“W.C.”) and Graham, were already working and eager to take his place.

In May of 1885, people were shocked when Elisha popped his clogs at the age of 57; a fever, then chest congestion, and then death, all in a matter of a couple of days. His eldest son, W.C., took the reins of the business, and along with his brother, Graham, would become even more successful than their father.

It was apparent that the brothers liked money, and did very well for themselves. From the years 1886 to 1891, on the top of almost every page of the Poughkeepsie City Directory, was an advertisement for their company. W.C. had a lavish office in the Johnston Building at 333 Main Street and continued to build the store’s stature and prestige.

Graham courted and eventually became engaged to Mary Florence Tousey. Florence was the daughter of Charles Tousey. Charles was the heir of Sinclair Tousey, the founder of the American News Company, based in New York City.

Shooting Scandal

In the late afternoon of August 29, 1889, Graham Sterling was visiting Charles Tousey’s summer residence in Clinton Corners. Graham and his future father-in law were relaxing on a hammock in the backyard of the estate. Graham was showing a gun to Tousey when it accidently went off, shooting the older man in the side. Thankfully the wound was superficial, the bullet exiting through the skin of his back. Tousey, however, became enraged, and began choking Graham until neighbors were able to break up the fracas.

Charles father, Sinclair, had died in 1887. He immediately thought Graham attempted to murder him. Charles began ranting about how his wife and daughter were also in on the plot to get hold of his money.

Tousey entered a civil suit against Graham for $5,000. Friends and family pleaded for Charles to drop the case, but he wouldn’t.

The civil suit finally ended with a verdict over a year later on October 8, 1890. During this time, Charles went on a long European trip and had just returned. Graham and Florence had married, and moved to West Superior, Wisconsin, where Graham became a real estate agent. W.C. Sterling had continued a brisk business on Main Street without his brother. The verdict handed down by the jury was “no cause of action.” It was thrown out of court with no penalty.

Graham Sterling’s Return

Graham and Florence Sterling remained in Wisconsin for eight years, where Graham honed his skills as a real estate agent. The couple kept in touch with friends in Poughkeepsie by returning east to spend their annual summers at the Tousey Estate.

One of Graham’s old acquaintances was Joseph H. Marshall, who’d had a good relationship with the Sterling Family throughout their years on Main Street. Joseph and Graham had enjoyed fishing together, and despite their ages, had been friends.

During the year of Graham’s return in 1897, Joseph had decided to discuss forming a partnership with him. Joseph was in declining health and was looking for a knowledgeable person to continue his business. He would concentrate on their foundational proficiency with both insurance and real estate.

The convergence of talent, experience, and business acumen that was Marshall and Sterling became an entity in 1898. The name still exists today.

Joseph H. Marshall passed away in 1899.

References

• “Marshall + Sterling Insurance.” Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, business.dcrcoc.org/members/member/marshall-sterling-insurance-1505. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
• “About Us.” Marshall+Sterling, 6 Oct. 2025, marshallsterling.com/about-us/.
• “Obituary: Joseph H. Marshall.” Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s – Newspapers.Com, The Poughkeepsie Eagle, 4 Aug. 1899, www.newspapers.com/image/115001497/.
• “Dutchess County Historical Society – PH 665.” CatalogIt HUB, The Dutchess County Historical Society, hub.catalogit.app/dutchess-county-historical-society/folder/poughkeepsie-main-street/entry/c6536b10-a785-11f0-9923-83322b24047d. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
• “A Pistol Shot: What Came of It.” Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s – Newspapers.Com, The Poughkeepsie Eagle, 9 Oct. 1889, www.newspapers.com/image/114928989/.
• “Tousey Vs. Sterling.” Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s – Newspapers.Com, St. Louis Post Dispatch, 9 Oct. 1890, www.newspapers.com/image/138117640/.
• “THE TOUSEY FAMILY QUARREL.: THE SUIT AGAINST GRAHAM STERLING THROWN OUT OF COURT.” Com, The New York Times, 9 Oct. 1890, www.proquest.com/hnpnewyorktimes/docview/94837830/893B6ED86DB84781PQ/1?accountid=38287&sourcetype=Newspapers.
• “Personal Mention.” Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s – Newspapers.Com, Poughkeepsie Eagle News, 15 Oct. 1897, www.newspapers.com/image/114037932/.