The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-03
OLDEST LIFE RISK
New Jersey Centenarian Is the Old
dest Man in the World Hold.
ing Life Policy. ',.
Remarkable Record Of Charles H.
Booth-$2,000 Policy Is Now
Worth Nearly $4,000. ::

On Sept, 13 there was celebrated by |
family reunion at Englewood, N. j., the
hundredth birthday Of a most remarkable
old man. Charles H. Booth possesses also
the unique distinction of being not only
the oldest man that ever held life lnsur-
ance policy in this country, but also the
Oldest living policyholder in the world,
fact which correspondence with some
fifty-six countries has brought to light
Mr. Booth was born in Stratford, Conn.,,
Sept 10, 1903, in Jefferson's administra-
ton. When little more than a boy ne
came to New York to seek his fortune,
and rose, in course Of time, to control the
once well-known house of Booth & Tuttle
later Booth & Co.. He remained In bust
ness until about 70 years of age. when he
retired to his comfortable home at Engle-
wood, where he has ever since lived IN
good health and spirits. He still likes to
work about the house, rake leaves or
walk up and down the street, presenting,
in spite of shoulders bowed with years,
striking example Of well-preserved old
age. .s., 80"
The country was new when he first saw
| the light Of day; Washington had been
dead but four years, and the Louisiana
purchase had but just been made TO
| trace the span Of his life would be to
| enumerate all the important inventions,
discoveries and developments, whether
| trial, that have marked the phenomenal
growth of the United States. Mr.. Booth
| has voted as a republican for all but
three of our presidents. He was boy
| of Il ct the time of our second war with
England; at II he read Of the Missouri
compromise; at "a he first heard of the
| electric telegraph, and at 80 he took out
/ the policy which has made him note
worthy. H.. :.....
This policy, No. %, in the Mutual Life
| Insurance Company Of New York, was
taken out just week after the founding
Of the Company and is still in force, sixty
| years after it's issue-a most remarkable
record. It read for $4,000. which was at
that time the maximum permitted. The
growth Of the policy. and its steady in
crease In value to $7,763.22 in event OF
death, had no additions been surrendered
thru the various financial! ups and downs
of sixty years, forms an instructive object
lesson in support of the theory, as wei
as the practice, Of life insurance With
additions amounting to- $1,932.S0 surren-
dered, the policy in event of death woulI
be worth $5,830.<2 to-day. The increase
in value has been over 300 per cent, while
had there been no additions. surrendered
the growth in value would have exceeds &c
1888 per cent -.
He remembers as man of 40 the Mexi
. can war. which seems like ancient histor,
IlOWs Lllo C1Nll Wal 1Oulu llltu dScu 90
at the time Of the centennial he counted
70 years, and yet he has outlived thl
great event by over quarter Of cen
fury. ..ss-,-- ..-..'
It is a curious fact that two others o
the original policy holders in the Mutua
Life are still living, VIZ: Charles Rock
, wood of Newark, N. j.. and William E
Shepard Of Englewood, who holds the old
est policy, No. Z. taken out few hour
nrior to Mr. ROOth's from which it an
pears that Jersey must be after all, de
spite it's many and bitter calumniators,
highly salubrious locality.
. In recognition of Mr.. Booths remark
) able old age and in gratitude for his Ion
9 connection with life insurance, as well a
= for his support at. the beginning of tn
e business, sixty years ago. the Mutual Lit
has prepared for him a handsome test
> monial, hand engrossed upon parchment
! bound In the finest leather and in all way
made as valuable and as beautiful a sou
!, venir of a great occasion as money an