The Van Buren press., 1870-05-17
From the N. o. Picayune.
W. G. Carrinston. Esn-


Capt. W. c. Darlington, President Of the
Piedmont and Arlington Life Insurance
Company of Virginia, was born in the coun-
ty OF Cumberland, State Of Virginia, in the
year 1885. He received his collegiate eJnca-
tion at Hampden Sydney College, pursued
the study Of law In the clsss Of Judge Brock
enbroush, at Lexington, Virginia, Obtained a
license to practice his profession in 1856. and
settled IN thu county Of Nelson, and devoted
himself nun with assidoity to his profession until
1901: ny MS frankness, promptness and fair
dealing he gained many friends; soon built
up large and remunerat;ve practice and
won for himself an envable reputation as a
business man and LAWYER
when the late war between the States broke
out, he was among the first to volunteer and
repair to the field in defence of the rights of
his native State. He rived through the war
as lieutenant and captain with credit 10 him
self and honor to the cause he espoused. In
hlm the private soldier always found a ready
advocate, ever maintaining their rights even
at the hazard of his own advancement. In
the profession of arms, noted for his courage.
c0olness, determination and dash, which dual.
ities many times enabled him to accomplish
ends difficult and dangerous IN their execu-
ton, and which would have gained lasting re-
nown for partisan leader" Ever feeling
that his cause was right, he fought on with
April. 1865, when he, with the remnant of the
Confederate army, laid down his arms and
surrendered to superior numbers. Endowed
with vigorous. comprehensive mind, an in
domltabe will, and pertinacous energy, he
rose superior 70 the general dependency.
which hung. like pail. over his down trod-
den fellows, looked difficulties sternly in the
face. and directed his energies with Jealous
care to retrieve and rebuild his lost for June.
bp wi of ha ha
idea of inaugurating life insurance compa-
ny, and with him to conceive, is to execute.
lie obtained charter, gave up his profession.
and directed all the power of his mind to the
mastering ofthe subject. The difficulties with
which he had to contend in the impoverished
condition of the country, and the general dis
trust of Southern institutions. which to many
appeared insurmountable. but quickened his
energies and stimulated his eXertions. All
the initiatory steps taken, THE Piedmont
Life Insurance Company was organized, and
he chosen President. The history of that
company will attest his efficiency.
The Piedmont Life' and the Arlington
Mutual" were consolidated in September,
1869, under the name of Piedmont and Ar
lington Life Insurance Company" and Capt.
Darlington was chosen President. Under his
administration this company has won and
holds position in the front-rank of insur-
ance companies. In his business relations he
is prompt decisive, courteous and determin-
ed-ili the social circle he is atiable and enter
tanning; and as friend he is generous warm
hearted and staunch; the friend of the weak,
the advocate of the oppressed. and the dis
penser of justice to all.
The exhibit recently made up from the
sworn official statements of all the life insur-
ance companies of America, elghtyfour (s4l
in all, shows that in 1869 the Piedmont and
Arlington Company issued 1870 policies COW
ering risks amounting to S2s, ,455,324. Only
three companies in America took risks to a
greater amount during 1862
AT this time, near 10000 policies have been
issued by the Piedmont and Arlington Com.
pany none of which are over three years old.
Tie tables upon that subject show that the
average oflosses to policies in force is about
one in every l54 of policies. During last year
the average Of such losses in the Piedmont
and Arlington is stated at one in every 3l3
policies, or only half as great as the general
average Of American companies that year.
The agency the company for Louisiana
seems to have been carefully conducted, or no
loss from disease has ever yet occurred
amongst the policy-holders registered here,
although the company began to work in Lou
isana more than two years ago.
The subjoined letter attests the mptness
of this company in paying Of the claims
against it:
New ORLEANS, March % 1870
To Gen. Dabney III. Marry, Agent of Pied
mont and Arlington Life Insurance Com
nay
My DEAR SIR: Accept my thanks for the
prompt and agreeable manner In which your
company has acknowledged and made pay
ment on the policy taken out by the late Gen.
st. John X, Liddell, for the benefit of his
daughter. Mrs. Louisa Liddell Mcmillan. Cor
daily commencing your company to the con-
fidence ofour people. / remain, very respect
fully. yours, w. z. MCMILLAN. NJ. ID.