The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-03-24
Piedmont and Arlington Life Insur-
anee Company, Richmond, Virginia.

Piedmont and Arlington Life 1nsur-
ance Company, Richmond, Virginia.
This company being the first South
ern corporation to enter the Eas'erl
portals of insurance has naturally al
tracted our attention in Locating
general agency, for Pennsylvania,
ph;)adeIphia. 1t is also about to
knock at the doors of the New York
and Massachusetts departments.
through which it can have no diff
Guilty in passing, so far as its charac-
ter r honesty Of purpose and condi-
zion for Soundness and reliability are
concerned. In fact the uneXampled
prosperity Of the Piedmont and Ar
Iinsion, from its youth and quiet
workings, must cause astonishment in
the minds Of those who have hithcr-
TO thought there was no insurance
vitality in the South. Our doctrine:
so frequently preached, that all soc
lions should stand by their own SOL
vent companies first, in preference to
foreign ones, is fully cxen1piiticd by
this company, ard we are glad to
note the fact as reminder to other
localities, for it is a recognized princi-
ple in business that, that to be snc-
cessful abroad, character and conf
dencc should first be obtained at home.
This company has attained said po-
sition Of emincnce, as it comes East
ward with the remarkable growth OF
double the business Of other comDa-
nics of four years old, both in number
of policies and amount Of risks. 1t
has issued over 1850 policies, and its
annual income is Sl,500,0OO.
The ratio Of expense to income is
1888, less than half the average cx-
pense of some thirty companies Of
same age, or 100 per cent. less.
In regard to mortality, the losses
have been six per cent. less in num-
bcr as to average losses or other
companies; this, too, il face Of the
fact of $4,000 from accidents by fall
ling in Of the capitol at Rlchmoud:
and other special accidents.
The company is now upon the all
cash plan, which it adopted some
months since.
Over s2'O,O0O of expenses arc
charged off for accidental losses, &c
tired capital, (s33, ,932,) and special ex
pcnditurcs which cannot exist again
There is q divisable surplus Of
thirteen per cent. larger than the ,dl
visaLle surplus Of most companies
The dividends are now to be decreas
ed in order to reach and attain fonl
per cent, basis as soon as possible
and larger surplus in the future.
As to strength, the "Picdmont and
Arlington" has sl.24 assets to 81 OF
liabilities as applied TO policy holders
or Sill to stockholders, an average
of ten per cent. moro than the rela
tive mum Der Of other companies.
The total autgo to total income Is
tfty-fvc cent, an average of ten tc
fifteen per cent. less than many lead
ing companies.
The annual statement of this com
pany for 1870 is before us, yet we
have written from q more thorough
and detailed investigation Of the com,
pany's affairs than set forth therein.
We desired to know whether any
Southern life company could DO re.
commended by us to the public, and
as this company has had the courage
to be the pioneer in the movement to
The Glands Of criticism and prejudice,
we are free to say that when others
from that section como, in the same
condition as the "Picdmont and Ar,
iington," they shall have our coun:
tenance, because they merit not only
it, but that Of the public.
The early staunch condition Of this
company portrays the fact that the
President, w. G.. Darlington, Vice,
President, John E. Edwards, Secre,
tary, Daniel J. lIartsook, Actuary,
Prot. Edward B. Smith, and Cashier,
B. G. Hartsook, are all thoroughly
skilled in the in the science of life
insurance, and we may add that the
directors comprise prominent and cs:
teemed citizens Of Richmond, several
of whom are most iavorably known
far and wide.
This company has passed the in
spcction of tho Insurance Depart
ments Of Missouri, California and
kentucky, and has a deposit Of 500,
900 with the proper authorities al
Richmond. 1t will not fail, therefore
10 be admitted, upon application, into
New York and Massachusetts.
: TO conclude, as tho company j:
progressive, prosperous and prompt
its expenses and losses small, its in
vestments secure, its reserve ample
it's surplus good. and its management
conservative and skillful, we highly
recommend the "Piedmont and Ar
lington," Of Virginia, as deserving the
patronage of insurers The Genera
Agent in Philadelphia is J. II. Baird
Esq, Office No. 10 South Third St.
from whom fuller particulars may be
obtained if Desired d.-PkiIudelphiN UR