The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-01-23
The NATIONAL LIFE.

Than he Is today. Residing in another part
OF the State, teller Ia one OF the State banks
that preceded the institutions OF the ma.
tionsl SYSTEM he was invited by no less a
person than Col Albert Clsrke-but he,
too, was younger than he il now, and he
wasn't colonel then-Go begin to consider
the uncertainties of life and safeguard the
future OF those who might be, or ought to
become, dependent upon him. 1t seemed
far call and did not so much impress itself |
on the mind OF the solicited AZ did the title |
OF the company whose meri and advan.
ages the agent set forth with that budding
plausibility which, in its maturity, has
brought him honor and distinction
The National" Life OF Vermont had |
then large suggestion of a mans hat on q |
very small boy. But the future soldier. |
editor and secretary OF the Home Market |
club, and candidate for Congress- was per- |
suasive aud successful. He wrote u policy |
and the recipient had his first Induction in ,
to the mysteries of life insurance, its "pol. !
icies" and, incidentally, the more serious
and prac ical matter OF paying annual pre-
ium5. Lie has since taken policies In va.
rious companies, but the first is best e.
teemed. The company with the large title
has grown to its name. There was proph-
ecy in the naming. 1t has become nation
al. and broadly national, in the extent OF
It's business.
During the observance Of the semi centen-
NAL OF the existence Of the company in
July, and in the recent publication of the
interesting figures of its annual statement,
the origin aud financial strength and bust
ness magnitude OF the National Life have
had much and proper advertisement. The
story OF the presidential succession has re-
Gently been told and the credit due to wise
chief executive Anagement has been
awarded. But "th re are Others" and these
others are the IN ,mbers the staff, the heads
OF the various departments OF finance, rec
ord, medical examination and inspection,
liar TAM nIa and fhn l. ~ l. u
the CLERICAL foTcj. These all have contrib
uted, like the members Of a we'll organized
aud an efhCient army corps, to the develop
ment and present proud standing OF this
Vermont insti ution; and the notable thing
about the staff and the CORPS is that they
are for the most part Vermonters to the
| manner born; any who did not happen
! first so see the light OF day among the
Green Mountains have become Vermonters
by adoption and may try conclusions with
some OF the natives-ouside the Nationals
| ranks Of course-and beat them every time
| There, for example, is j. A. DeBoer, for
several years the actuary and chosen vice
| president at the recent e'ection of officers
Born in Holland, he got his early education
in business in su Intensely p actical school,
| as newsbov in an Americ IN city--the capi-
tai OF the Empire State. His race are the
Yankees OF Europe, and the European Yam
kee IN ade an American of the first quality.
The newsboy's courage and determination
ended aa important stage OF his life, his
graduation from Dartmouth College la the
class of 1884, The second stage began az
principal of Montpelier Union School, where
| his abilities after four years OF service at.
tracted the attention of the officers of the
National Life, and in 1889 he entered the
service of the company. He was made its
actuary, Is the mathematical man of the in
stitution, and has already earned the dis
tinction OF being one of the ablest men in
the country in his department of life insur-
ance. His general efficiency has been re-
cognized by his advancement to the vice
| presidency and Investment with duties in
general management that. make the office
no sinecure. Mr.. DeBoer has been an &C.
tive factor in the later development Of the
company, as he will be in its future expan-
| sion.
The Secretary, Osman d. Clark. ia both
Vermonter and Montpelier boy. He was
assistant secretary from January, 1885. 70
April 1889, and at the latter date was pro-
NOTED to the office Of Secretary He is at
the head OF the recording department. of the
Companyand well sustans the reputation of
the institution for business efficiency
Harry M. Cutler, Treasurer, another
Montpelier boy, as teller in the First Ma
tional bank, caught the eye of the National
Life officers, Always on the watch for good
material for their lisutenants, and in May,
1889, he was installed in the office of ss
sistant treasurer, the increasing business of
the Company demanding new accessons to
the official corps. On The election OF Treas.
urer Houghton in 1897 to the office OF vice
president Harry" was promoted to the
treasurership. Training and native ability
combined to fit him for the Office, and he
has administered with skill and fidelity the
duties OF the office which, as the revenues
| OF the Company have increased has been
one Of growing labor and responsibility.
Clarence K. Moulton, entering the service
OF the Company in 1891, was promoted from
| tha clarical ranka tn the Offica of ba
| urers assistant.
DIR. A. B. Bisbee, whom Moretown con-
tributed to Vermont citizenship, succeeded
in 1888 the venerable DR.. Putnam in the
office OF Medical Director. DR.. Bisbee has
his finger on the pulse of the Company's
risks and an undesirable applicant for a
policy is not apt to get by his challenge
Frank A. Dwinell. another son OF WASH
ington county, from 1893 has held the re.
sponsible post OF Inspector of Real Estate.
Mr.. Dwinelps former business experience
especially qualified him for this office,
whose duties keep him quite constantly in
the field on the distant outposts OF the com
pany's Investments.
James B. Estee. Superintendent OF Agen-
| cies resides in Milwaukee, and is the Com
gsny's general agent for Wisconsin Expe-
rienoe and natural aptitude for his duties
especially qualify Mr.. Estee for this i'm.
| portant post.
1t is right and proper to mention in
| tnie conneceioh Ohieu D. Dailaru, the gen.
ersl agent OF the company for Central YER
mont, who has his off % in the new Laog-
don building In this city. Mr.. Ballard has
been with the company since the early
nineties. He is an agent OF push, industry,
and marked capacity for getting business,
as the large number Of policies he has writ.
| ten demonstrates.
Subjoined are the names OF the clerical
force in the various departments, with the
dates of their entry into the employment of
the Company. Specification OF tbe special
duties of each would require the space of a
Sunday paper, and this is therefore regret-
fully omitted: Thomas Dewey, November,
1882; W. A. Briggs, December, 1886; Will
liam II. Cochrane, June, 1885; Charles A.
Best, December, 1885,. Jenny P. Phinney.
July. 1889; g. W. Leslie. January, 1885,
Q. M. Bennett January, 1890; Fannie r.
Knapp. March, 1890; Harry Ovistt, Oc,o-
Der, 1891; p: FL. Hornbrook, Decembe-,
1892; Maud K: Phillips, March. 1892; Har-
vey Burnham, September, 1892 G. X. Put
nam, December, 1898; Julia M. Houghton,
July, 1898; Q. O. Bancroft, December, 1894;
| 8. A. Moss, March 1894; J. r Goodenough,
December, 1894; Henry Holt, March, 1896
| H K. Fifield, May, 1895; George e. White.