The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-11-23

incurred on account of Eye de~gn," &c. 1t has
come to be generally recognized a. unwise on
the part Of any government or public corporation
to engage IN what was and is entirely foreign to
its proper sphere. The success of the private
enterprise led to the organization of several other
companies, alton the mutual plan, until the lat
ter partof the eighteenth century. since which
time tho stock system has been mainly adopted
in fire insurance companies and has proved
more successful. The "Hand in Hand" Fire
Insurance Company, of London, is the only sur.
vivor of those Of this early period TO which We
have alluded, and this is remarkable only for
its age.
/ . o. BENEFITS INTENDED.
Up to the year 1906 the protection afforded
by fire insurance was limited entirely to houses,
but in that year the "Sun Fire Office" was pro-
jected by one Charles Poney, for insuring mer.
chandise and household goods, and was the first
to extend the benefits of insurance beyond the
city Of London. This office has stood many
business. The amount insured by this Office in
1865 was nearly one hundred and trenty millions
sterling. Many companies have since sprung into
existence in nearly every part of the world
keeping pace in improvement with the more
enlightened and progressive ages since, and have
accomplished much good. No companies of much
Importance, if any, existed in this country pre-
vious to the present century One of the largest,
BEST and oldest Of taese is that Familiarity known
| in commercial circles as the
"OLD HARTFORD"
To obtain more direct information concerning
TINS branch OF insurance, we visited the home
Office Of the HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE Con-
PANY, at Hartford, Conn.-one of the soundest
and most popular companies doing business in
this country; and especially popular in the
great West where it has done an extensive
underwriting and never failed to redeem il,
| pledges and promptly pay its losses. The gem
erous, prompt and liberal manner in which
claims are met where no suspicion attaches lin
which alone any company of the kind proves
its usefulness and reliability is highly credita.
BILE TO it, management, and has gained for it
the utmost confidence of the public.
| ORGANIZATION.
| We have examined the one hundred and four.
| eeaA semi-annual statement of the officers of
this company, dated May /, 1867, which. though
brief, is one of the most impressive documents
we have ever met with. 1t not only testifes TO
present prosperity, impregnable stability. and
high character, but it also suggests long back.
ward reaching vista of honorable enterprise and
! continually increasing success 1t has had EJETy
| SEVEN YEARS OF eminently successful and pros.
porous business, and stands to-day unrvalled in
point OF furnishing reliable and safe indemnity
his corporation was organized at Hartford on
the 9Th day of June, 1910, when the stock.
holders elected Il Board of Directors compossd
OF mon well known for their integrity and hon.
esty OF purpose. Nathaniel Terry was .h~-...
President, and Walter Mitchell Vice.President.
UAder thi. management it prosecuted thriving
business until 1885, when Eliphalct Terry was
elected President and James g. Bolles Score.
tAry; in 1s4s President Terry resigned, and
was succeeded BY Charles Taylor, who in turn
resigned in 1852. and was succeeded by A. F.
Wilmazth, who held the office but six months,
when G. B. Bowers was elected in 1863, aad he
resiguing in 1853, T. c. Allyn succeeded to tho
| vacancy. Mr.. Huntington retired from tho
| Presidency, and WAS succeeded by T. C. Allyn,
and Geo. n. Colt, the present efficient Secretary,
was elected BY the stockholders In 1867 Mr..
Allyn rosigned, and Geo L. Chase, the present
incumbent, was elected to the Presidency.
! In connection with the organisation Of this
company We were pleased to notice, in . some.
what careful examination Of records pertsinias
TO it history and success one feature which is
something Of novelty in large and especially
in successful corporations, viz: After passing
through its Afst stage Of activity sad constant
and sarnsst effort to please and secure bsainess
BY fair and honest dealing, and obtained rssark.
able favor with the public, there was no dssrth
Of such commendsble sttributss IN ssissr t1SsrA
whom novelty had passed away and money and
1 inAasnss had been gainsd, but the hitherto seal.
QUE and willing oosAiators were content to work
d Ne Ger, and stand - wstohmsn at the helm.
Tho officers have from tho beginning kept up .
resolute and determined activity, and gained for
this company, BY making IL secure and ssfs 10
patrons, wide and envisbls reputation. With .
single exception It 10 the oldest oompony in New
Eaglsnd.
In N insurance company, more than in any
sthsr organization, the safety and reliability Of
the indemnity depends upon the mansssmsSt Of
the affairs by those 70 whom its interests ri On.
trusted The public desire 10 know somsth;nu