The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-18

ance company. Three years later the
company made him general manager of
agencies. In 1862 Mr. Peet married Emma
J. Fellows, who died four years later,
he married Amelia K. Eastman, of
Rochester, N. Y, who survives him.
Came to ST. Paul in 1885.
Emerson w. Peet was, in many re-
spects, a remarkable man. He was the
son of a clergyman and himself had en-
joyed the best educational opportunities
of his genera ton. When he settled in St.
Paul, in 1885, he was already, past fifty
years of age and distinguished in his
profession To the public, and even 10
his friends here. he was best known as a
gentleman of culture and pleasant man
ners, public spirited and active in prac-
teal business and public affairs. But, III
point CT fact in addition to all this, he
was an authority of wide reputation IN
the science of life insurance, to the study
of which he had devoted many years of
his life. Even nowadays life insurance
actuarieS of skill and ability are not very
numerous. and readily command import
ant positions. But forty years ago, when
Mr. Peet took up the subject after gradu-
ating from Amherst college, the books
CT tables which, at present, make their
work comparatively simple, had not been
compiled, and there was little literature
on the topic accessible. At that time the
mathematics of life insurance constituted
a very special branch of learning. and
those who understood it constituted a
class of experts much in demand. Mr.
Peet belonged to this class, and in Gddi-
ton, early developed exceptional skill in
what may be called the operating de-
partment of the business. Several years
before coming here he had amassed con-
siderable fortune and had retired from
active work. But he found life of leis-
tunity of representing the Mutual Life
Insurance Company of New York in the
Northwest was opened to him, he took
advantage of it. Here he discovered a
field which afforded foT clxi
an organizer, and in which were not
wanting openings for the use Of his theo-
retical knowledge.
Dean of His Profession.
Without disparagement of the claims
of~others engaged in the same line, he
was generally recognized as the dean
of his profession in the state. He took
much interest in the insurance legislation
of Minnesota, and was generally consult
ed and deferred to by those having it in
charge. Besides this, his services were
sought both by his own company and by
other companies when problems arose
which required experience and learning
for their handling. A few years ago when
the Mutual Life Insurance company I'M
-dertook the general revision of it's CON
tracts and literature, he was called to
New York and put in charge of the work
The agents of other companies appreciat-
ed that he was formidable rival in bust
ness, but mis- relations with them, and
with the many men who worked under
him, We're always cordial and agreeable
He was keen. active and alert but al
ways fair and honorable in his dealings.
His wide acquaintance with men and
institutions elsewhere induced him to
add to his insurance business the hand
ling Of investment securities of one kind
and another. During the first six or sew
en- years of his residence in st. Paul he
carried on a very active business in
mortgage loans, and municipal and cor
poration bonds. In this way he became
familiar with the resources and posi-
bilities of the city and state and very
much interested in their development He
brought millions Of dollars to the aid of
our local industries, which counted very
materially in their awakening during the
hard years of their BEGINNINGS. But his
ambition for ST. PaulS growth was not
based chiefly on this fact, but on his
genuine affection for the place and his
spirit OF generous patriotism. He got
much pleasure from helping in every
project which he thought made for the
public welfare and gave of his energy
and money without stint and without
any thought of selfish reward for its adj
vancement. He was prominent mem
Der of the Episcopal church and stanch
admirer and co-worker with Bishop Gill
bert in the extension of its work In Min
nesota- He was treasurer of most of the
church organizations, and undertook
with the greatest success. the Investment
of the church's funds. In civic affairs
he was also most active.
= He served on the library board for sew
eral terms, was president of the Cham
Der of Commerce, and was foremost in
committee work, which is so consumptiye
of time, so generally unappreciated and
yet so effective in it's results Charitabie
work of public and private character
of the Associated Charities and hiS
achievements here are well known Pit
his great idea in this field was To helm
the poor 20 help themselves, and there