Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
A FIREMEN'S COMPANY
INSURANCE CORPORATION FORM
ED FORTY YEARS AGO.
Started by Volunteer Fire Fighters.
Payments of Losses $1,5oO,ooo- d.
A Prosperous Concern.

Among the few corporations of years ago
that are still existing mention must not
be omitted of the old-estabished Firemen's
Insurance Company.
This company was formed and incorpo-
rated by the representative members of the
fire companies Of Washington and George
town on August ., 1887, with a capital of
$4,000 At that time only members of the
fire companies of the city were insured in
this company, but this included both active
and honorary members. By an act of Con-
gress this restriction taken from the
regulations of the company.
These members of the different fire COM
panies, when they met on August .. 1887,
formed the rules and bylaws OF the COM
pany. They elected DIR. William Gunton as
president and Mr.. edward S. Ingle as seq
rotary. Their first location was on the site
where the old engine house formerly stood
on Pennsylvania avenue directly in front
of the Center market. In the company's
membership at that time were many OF
Washingtons prominent business and pro-
fessional men, who had been members of
the old hand engine companies. The first
directors of the company were Charles e.
Eckel, John II. King. John ID. Barclay,
Edmund Hanly, John c. Rives. John O.
Hardness, Andrew Rothweil James Adams,
James Follensbee and William Speiden.
These gentlemen represented the Vigilant
Western Star. Union Perseverance Column
bia. Franklin and the Navy Yard fire COM
panies in Washington at that time.
The first secretary. ar. Edward S. Ingle
died in 1899 and was succeeded by Mr.
Alexander McIntire. Mr.. McIntire died in
1860 and was succeeded by Mr.. Abel G.
Davis, who held this position until his
ing held after his death the directors elect
ed Mr.. Clement w. Howard as secretary,
with Mr.. Robert II. Hazard as his assist
ant.
In 1910 the president of the first organiza-
ton died Or. Gunton), and in his place was
chosen Mr.. James Adams. Mr.. Adams died
in 1877 and was succeeded by the incum-
bent, Mr.. Albert A. Wilson.
Mr.. Wilson is native of Washington,
being born in 1870. He received his educa-
ton in the Charles B. Young school of this
city, and after attending the old Ben Halo
well school in Alexandria, Va, went to the
Baltimore Business College. He holds the
respect of all who know him and is an i'm
portant factor in the city's welfare and in
terest.
Mr., Clement w. Howard, the secretary Of
the corporation, is also a native of Wash
ington, and was born in the year 1915. He
received his education in the famous Rit-
tenhouse Academy.
rhe members of the corporation found
that the building which they were o.
cupying in 1882 was totally Inadequate for
the rapid growth of their business, they
being then located in the old Bank Of
Washington, at the corner of street and
Louisiana avenue. They purchased their
present location, on the corner of 9TH street
and Louisiana avenue, and erected their
building in 1883.
The company has paid nearly million
and o1e-haif dollars in fire losses, and In
case of any dispute over losses settles by
arbitration entirely.
The present officers of the corporation are
follows: Albert a. Wilson, president; e.
C. Davis vice president; c. W. Howard
secretary; Robert II. Hazard, assistant seq
rotary The following gentlemen constitute
the board OF directors. +. c. Ainsworth A.
ID. Addison Z A Castelar, T.. G. Davis.
Edward DerIse.e. Frank Hume s. 8. Lutx,
r. C. M7Ese;ies. George W. Moss, A. A.
wilson ~ ~ !,son