The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-07-11
QUARTER CENTURY OF PRO-
GRESS.

Nothing succeeds like success and success,
which is attained by honorable methods
from small beginnings, advancing steadily
step by step, year by year, until it becomes
synonym in the business world, COM
mands the plaudits of men the world over.
Such success has marked the progress of
the Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company
of Montpelier, which on July %, next, will
celebrate the twenty-tifth anniversary of its
business career. Ia It's infancy tho home of
this institution WIS in the rooms in Union
block, which were occupied by the late
John K Hubbard as an office at the time OF
his decease. On February /, 1887 the in
FAINT having attained to such growth, new
and more spacious quarters were allotted to
him in the Langdon block at the corner of
State and Elm streets where now the city
clerk and treasurer's offices are located.
These quarters were continued in until
few weeks since when the demands made
by the constantly increasing business of the
institution were met by moving to the new,
commodious and elegant home which had
ond floor Of the Langdon block at the cor
ner of Main and State streets.
These new quar- ers combine luxury with
practiCabiity in that the four large, well
lighted office rooms, comprising the main
counting room, directors meeting room
and secretary and assistant secretary's Of
fees, are exquisite in finish as we'll as
equipped with the latest improved office
furniture and paraphernalia which are
necessary adjuncts for the expeditions
transaction Of an extensive and intricate
business.
The finish and wainscoting of these
rooms as well as the furniture is of rich
heavy mahogany. The ceilings and walls,
under the skilltul hand OF 9. L. Bugbee
have been shaded in tints 80 AS TO blend
and harmonize beautifully with the wood
work. The floors are OF polished quartered
|
and there The electric fixtures are of an
tique copper
| Opening out OF the co., nting room is the
| large steel vault. In this commodious
strong-box lighted by electricity, a. Q steel
! drawers arranged in blocks in which are
kept in Alphabetical order the various rec
| ords of the company, such as premium
notes, policies in force and out Of force, etc.
| The card system ia seen at its perfection
here for 80 we'll is IL arranged that the his.
tory OF policy or the business Of the com
! pany IN town or county can be seen al
most at glance.
Also connected with the counting room
and at the side and rear OF the vault are
ante-rooms and a lavatory. One Of the
snte-rooms has been equipped with cabinet
lockers in which are kept agents supplies,
blanl q, etc.
The secretary, Harlan w. Kemp, IL in
charge OF the office aud has three regular
assistants but at the present time this force
| mas been Increased temporarily Dy JWO IN
the early days OF the company, without the
advantages Of up.to-date facilities, one per-
son transacted all the business with ease.
BY this comparison some idea of the com
pany's growth can be obtained.
Apropos Of the approaching passage OF
the twenty-Hfth year mark, brief history
OF the company will be interesting. The
Union Mutual was incorporated November
| "a, 1874. The first meeting Of the incorpo-
rators was held January 13, 1875, but was
adjourned TO April 27, 1875, on which date
the Oompsny's bylaws were established,
and E. b. Campbell elected President, aud
George W Leslie, Secretary AT the sec
ond meeting, held July %, 1875, the Secre-
tary reported applications for insurance in
he sum OF $4,000, thereby making it pos;
sible for the Company to commence bust
ness under it's charter on that day. The
first policy was issued to Marcus ID. Gilman
OF Montpelier. Business was solicited and