Title and trust companies
Gowey Abstract & Title
Gowey Abstract & Title was started in 1931 by Glen A. Gowey, who was the Taylor County Register of Deeds at the time. After serving his country in World War II, Glen's son, Harold R. Gowey took over the business in 1954. Harold followed in his father's footsteps and served as Taylor County's Register of Deeds while running the abstract business. During Glen and Harold's tenure, the Company was housed in the Taylor County Register of Deeds Office, and did not relocate until Harold decided to retire as Register of Deeds, in 1984. The business then moved to the lower level of the old phone company building in the City of Medford, where it was housed until 1995. Harold continued as owner of Gowey Abstract & Title until he sold the business to his long-time employee, Shirley Pleus, in 1986. Harold continued working for the Company as an Abstracter until he retired in 2005 at the age of 86. Shirley Pleus was hired by Harold right out of High School in 1961 and continued Harold's unwavering commitment to excellent service and unmatched accuracy in the title services Gowey Abstract & Title provided. Under Shirley's leadership, Gowey Abstract & Title expanded the services it offered by actively writing title insurance. Until Shirley took over, Gowey Abstract & Title primarily only provided Abstracts of Title. In 1995, Shirley hired and trained Michael Brandner, who subsequently bought the business in 1998. Shirley continued to work for the Company and provided stability and unmatched accuracy in the title work provided, while Mike focused on growing the company. During her final years with the Company, Shirley trained the current staff and instilled in them the importance of being extremely accurate in every title order delivered. It is because of her commitment to excellence that Gowey Abstract & Title has incurred fewer claims than virtually every other title company in the industry. Shirley retired in 2004 after 43 years of dedication to Gowey Abstract & Title. With the purchase of the business by Michael Brandner, the business aggressively began to expand. The Company relocated from its one room office in the old phone company building to its current location in the City of Medford. In 1999, Gowey Abstract & Title began offering Closing Services in addition to the Abstracts and Title Insurance it previously provided. Since then, Gowey Abstract & Title has become an industry leader in the services it provides. From simple residential transactions, to tax-advantaged 1031 exchanges, to extremely complex commercial transactions, Gowey Abstract & Title has become a trusted full-service title solution for all types of transactions. In recent years, the Company's service area has also greatly expanded. Gowey Abstract & Title has grown from serving one County out of one office, to directly providing title services for 24 North Central Wisconsin Counties out of 6 physical locations in Medford, Wausau, Wisconsin Rapids, Marshfield, Tomahawk and Minocqua. The Company also provides Statewide title services through a network of title search partners. Gowey Abstract & Title has embraced technology and currently delivers its title work electronically if desired by its customers. The Company also appreciates that many customers prefer traditional means of ordering and receiving title work and has systems in place to meet those needs in the most efficient manner. In 2004, Mike's wife, Judy, joined the Company and took over the internal operation of the business. Under Judy's oversight, Gowey Abstract & Title's turnaround time was cut in half and most title orders are delivered within 72 hours, regardless of where the property is located. Closing often occurs a day or two later. By embracing technology, Gowey Abstract & Title is able to issue complete, long-form title policies (instead of