The McMillen Insurance Agency was founded in Dahlgren, Illinois in 1949 by Janice Wolfe's father, Alva McMillen. He started as a representative of American Farmers Insurance Company - selling his first insurance policy on September 28, 1949. Alva later represented Kemper Insurance as both an agent and field represenative until ill health forced his retirement in 1967. After Alva's retirement, Janice's mother Iris McMillen, obtained her license, becoming one of the first women agents to represent Kemper Insurance. She began representing other companies, and farm business became an important part of the agency. The agency became very successful during this growth period.
In 1979, Janice and her family relocated to Dahlgren after her husband David, a chemist, obtained employment in southern Illinois. The McMillen Insurance Agency had grown to the point of Iris needing assistance, so Janice began her insurance career by doing part-time clerical work in the agency. In 1980-81, Janice became a licensed agent in all lines. Her husband David, also obtained his license in 1981. In October 1982, Janice became a full-time agent where she continues to run the day to day operation of the agency.
