davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
Henry n. Blessom.

Henry NJ. Blossom, senior member Of the
firm of H. NJ Blossom & Co.. a leading
representative of Western insurance in
terests, was born in New York, in 1888,
and was, for several years, in a newspa-
per office in a prosperous college town In
New York State. For a part OF that Pc
riod he was in charge of the paper as its
editor. though not having yet attained
his majority. Coming to St. Louis in
ISa2 he became connected with the Mis-
souri, and Mississippi river steamboat in
terests along with his brother. Captain c.
D. Blossom, river traffic being the only
public means of transportation of paSSen-
gers North, South. East or West Re
manned IN this until just prior to the
breaking out of the Civil War, when he
entered the insurance business and has
been engaged therein ever since with
great success. Has been correspondent
cations and contributed largely to this in
terest He has always taken great In
terest in music and is known throughout
the city as a nan of highly cultivated
tastes. He has been director OF the
choir of one of the principal churches
here almost unintercUpted!y for forty
years. Is Il member of the Merchants
Exchange, Business Mems League. being
chairman of the Insurance Committee OF
the League for the past TWO years. and of
the St Louis and Mercantile clubs Dur
ing the past year he has been president of
the ST. Louis Fire Prevention Bureau,
which he was largely instrumental in es-
tabdShing and which has made for itself
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21

"a company that protects. rewards. and.
above al. assures the policy holder that
this protection. these rewards, are un-
char geai'le and everlasting. Its history
dates back over an honorable career Of
over sixty years. Its gross return pay
ments to policy holders total the almost
tnconceivable sum of over $500. Co, ,o00. Its
gross assets to-day are st1I, 81 ,661 Co. The
history of the Mutual Life told in figures
and facts overshadows the history of any
other of the great life insurance compa-
MES of the world.
Fred n. Cheney has been manager of
the ST. Louis branch of this company since
last September and is recognized as a
leader and authority in the local field. The
company's ST. Louis offices are in the
Chemical building. Eighth and Olive
streetS
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21

sally secured policies and bonds. While
aecressiyeness is shown in every depart
ment. their conservatism is equally
marked and when thus coupled together.
assure absolute protection with the largest
possible returns to policy and bond hold
ers.
Their policies and bonds are governed by
the strict provisions OF the Missouri in
surance laws, all policies being registered
and bearing the certificate of the State
Their operations cover fifteen different
States The following shows the percent
age gains in 1903: Outstanding insurance,
IS per cent: net surplus, 80 per cent; assets.
81 per cent; income. lis per cent; reserve
account, 166 per cent: insurance written,
l67 per cent; interest income. 25S per cent
Their income for 1905 was $iS5.eT and their
disbursements Ss10.s14 leaving net income
$252 4S2 Their total assets are $ifa,si9.
Their liabilities are: Reserve to protect
policy holders, Ss02 0s2: death claims, none;
all other liabilities. 22.2S4. leaving as net
surplus s1i5.171
Edmund P Nelson was elected president
IN 1880 and is the youngest president OF a
legal reserve company His abilities are
well recognized in the Insurance field The
other officers are: ]. I. Epstein. vice pres
ident: c. A. Goodale. secretary; A AcRae,
assistant secretary: G. R. Dudley, II. D.,
medical director: Louis Drechsler. NJ. D,
associate medical director: Honorable r.
p Walker, counsel; H B. Wardin and
C. W. Baxter, managers bond department,
sam Lederer and E R A. Misemer, 81
perintendent Of agents
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
Forest Park-James Byrne.
Carondeiet-Robert GrunZ-
Tho American Guaranty Fund Mutual
Fire Insurance Company.

Fire Insurance mpany.
The home offices of this company are To-
Gated on the tenth floor Of the Rialto build
ing. with branch offices all over the coun-
try. They were incorporated in 1899, be-
ginning business In st. Louis. and do a
general fire and tornado business. Their
reputation and solidity can best be evil
denced by the following official document
under date of August q. 1902:
''I, Edward E. Yates, Superintendent Of
the Insurance Department of the State of
Missouri, hereby certify that the Amer
lean Guaranty Fund Mutual Fire Insur-
ance Company OF st. Louis. Missouri, has
transferred TO and deposited with me the
sum of one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars CsiJ0.Ga-00. consisting of the securt-
ties required by section 1858, chapter l1s
article VI. Of the Revised Statutes of Mis-
souri,. 1889, as its guarantee fund, to be
held by me as security for the payment of
all losses and other policy liabilities OF the
said company. according to the provisions
of section 1858 Of the Revised Statutes
aforesaid"
As this deposit was three times their
former amount of So, 90. it speaks volumes
for the success OF the company. H C.
Huiskamp is president. ]. W. Daugherty
its secretary and general manager. is one
Of the abiest men in the insurance busi-
ness in the West.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
Metropolitan Life Insurance Conn
pany of New York.

p0ny OF new 1Ork.
Established in st. Louis in 1851. Mr.. ].
II. Higginbotham came here in the spring
Of 1886 to take hold of the business and
place It on a solid basis. Since then the
company's business has grown to such an
extent that they have now six large. spa
cious offices and two large buildings
owned by the company, the one at Park
and Jefferson avenues being a most COM
plete and up-to-date office building. Be-
fore coming to this location the Offices
were for about fourteen years in the La
fayette Bank building. When Mr. Hig-
two districts. north and south. Mr.. j. s
Holmes. now in Morrisania, N Y, having
charge of the south, and Mr.. Higgin-
Sears afiar fbeY ctst ol ''ie tbird sistr lev
the middle; again, few years after, they
created two additional districts. known as
the Hyde Park and Forest Park districts
trict, the growth of the business necessi-
tating these changes. The insurance of
this company is adapted to the means Of
peasant. 1t is arranged for the working
classes on weekly basis and for the mer-
chant on the annual basis, They issue
policies from sl00 to slG0.Go In amount.
The working masses are accommodated
by having collectors calling upon them
and collecting their premiums each week.
All claims are paid Soon as they have
the proof. The Metropolitan has more
policies in force than all the other COM
panies combined. except one. and has
for many years written larger volume
OF business than any other company in
the world. The growth In St Louis has
been equal to any other city in the coun-
try and last year was the leading city.
o00 dividends to Industrial policy holders,
which the policy does not call for. Mr..
Higginbotham has been connected with
this company for about twenty-four
years and has been superintendent in this
city for eighteen years Under his man
agement the business in st. Louis has
grown to be one of the leading branches
in the country.
The superintendents in charge of the re-
spective districts at the present time arc
as follows:
st. Louis (South)-J- H. Higginhotham.
st. Louis (Nerth)-Walter Funk
st. Louis 1diddle)-John E James.
Hyde Park-Lisle C. Hughes.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
Knights of Father Mathew.

Organized IN July. 1851. and Is a CATH
olic. tota2-abstinence. benevolent and In
surance organization society combined.
the only one Of its kind existing In the
world. It has furnished the members the
cheapest insurance that has ever been
known. Its work is purely educational. itS
chief aim being to train the youth and
man 80 that their minds at all times will
be stronger than their appetite. with abil-
ity to control it 1t possesses all Of the
features that any other society en-
bodies. In addition to total abstinence.
The Knights of Father Mathew is a Ea-
uonal organization, but has members In
only four States. Missouri. Kansas Iowa
and Illinois. Its total membership now 10
$500. All male Catholics that are of sound
bodily health and good moral character.
between II and 50 years Of age are eligible
to the order and insurance Those who
are too old or infirrn can be associate
members. It has the appreciation of the
church. and is to-day the largest Catholic
organization IN St Louis. having in this
city about S.5D members The influence Of
this organization is not only felt in Cath
ole circles. but in every sphere in which
its members affiliate. The present su-
prene officers are: The Reverend James
T Coffey. supreme spiritual Director; Viii
liam h 0Brien. supreme chief sir knight;
Thomas S. Bowdern. supreme recorder:
Florance J. Curran. treasurer.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
Ladie. of the Maceabee..

Mrs. May A C. Baikie. supreme auditor
Of the Ladies Of the Maccabees and State
commander Of Missouri during the past
two years, has. in this short time, In
creased the membership Of the Missouri
branch OF the order from 21a0 to 5000.
has organized forty-fiye hives and made
20 public addresses. In brief, she has ele-
waited Missouri to the foremost rank in
membership. As an example typical of
Lady Baikie's intelligent and energetic
work. Il may be said here that the St
Louis Hive, organized in January, 1ssa.
has doubled its membership since She be-
came commander two years ago.
Mrs. Baikie is a charming and beauti-
full young Chicago woman. who has found
q host Of warm friends and admirers in
St Louis through her worthy efforts
along the line of modern fraternaIism.
Possessing. with many other qualtfica-
tonS for leadership among thoughtful
women. marked executive ability. She is
known as wise and impartial command
er. Her Office. ~ Mermod-Jaccard build
ing. Is the scene of many pleasant busi-
ness sessions. and there she conducts her
duties for the Lady Maccabees and re-
csives her sisters
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
a lustrcus record in insurance circles
throughout the country.
w. ii. Markham & Co.


". H. Markham & Co. was established
in ST. Louis In the year 1874 by w. II.
Markham, who came from Lynchburg.
Va, to this city in lSis- He was in the
mercantile and manufacturing business
until 1S74 This agency now represents
eighteen companies and takes the entire
time Of about thirty-two men. The firm
has always been active in all efforts to d.
minish the fire waste of st. Louis and has
been an advocate and leader in the move
ment for better construction OF buildings.
which has placed St Louis anead OF any
other city In the security OF new business
buildings. The present large proportion OF
hreproof and slow-conl bGstioH construc-
ton and general use of automatic sprin-
klers has been effected III no small degree
by the efforts of the men comprising the
nrm: George d. Markham has been at the
head OF the firm since the death OF his
father IN 1901. Mr.. Markham is graduate
Of Harvard, and also OF the law depart
!nent of the Washington University. J. L.
Gocdali. the second partner. Is graduate
Of Delaware College. Ohio: A. II. Hitch
ingS, the third Partner. has grown UP in
the business since tcyi:cod; G. H. Nor
roll is also graduate of Harvard.
W II. Markham & CO. are the attorneys
and managers. The Individual Fire Tn
derwriterS OF st. Louis WAS designed and
promoted by Mr.. Markham and the char
acter and standing of the gentlemen who
became the twenty-five underwriters un-
der Mr.. Markham's management are the
highest possible Endorsement OF the Mark
ham firm.
''The Individual Fire Underwriters of ST.
Louis Is an organization established in
1902 and licensed by the state. Its policies
are in demand by the large establishments
that exhaust the insurance companies rep
resented by local agents. Cash assets il:
the underwriters are collectively worth
over 0GJo,OO The original agreements
are deposited with the Mercantile Trust
Company, where copies can be seen at
any time"
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
Mutual Life Insurance Company OF
New York.


The man who desires to have the sue
cessful results Of his life work guarded
md protected from adverse contingencies
VIXEN he is no longer on hand to take
charge should see to it that the relation
between the bulk OF his other investments
and his life insurance isyadeQuatety main
tained. At present he does not do it"
In these words in The Independent, Rich
ard A McCurdy, president OF the Mutual
Life Insurance Company OF New York and
one OF the recognized authorities on the
question of finance, disposed of his discus
sion of How to Protect Estates"
The argument is strong in its appeal to
the man of intelligence, when he con-
siders that the great life insurance COM
panies of Amer1ca-and none is greater
than the Mutual Life OF New YoTk-haye
become magnificent financial institutions
of unQuestioned stability.
As the years pass men OF means are de-
pending more and more upon life tnsur-
ance Investments to protect their estates.
In discussing the difficulties that arise
after death in the settlement of estates,
President McCurdy scys: Don't you think
that WI en- your executors come to settle
with your surviving partners cool hun
dred thousand dollars in cash IN the strong
box Will inpart dgree OF confidence to
them and fnfuse an element OF eQuaiiza-
tfon into the negotiations that will be
worth a good many tons Of ore to your
eatateT'
And as the poor mans friend, what Is
there to be said that has not been SAID IN
countless tongues. furnishing as life In.
81 rance does, means whereby the frugai
may make provision for their loved ones
end dependents against the inevitable day
when want and poverty might otnerWase
stand at the shreuded PortalT
The praises Of the Mutual LIE 1nSur.
sncsA company are sung the world around
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
Royal Arcanum.

secret society. with fraternal and mu-
tual-benef:t features, Incorporated under
the laws of Massachusetts, In 1871. The first
council was organized in Boston on June
q Of the year above mentioned, with nine
members Its objects are the cultivation
of fraternal sentiment, the extension of
moral and material aid to its living MEM
bers and to make provision for a death
benefit to be paid to the widows, orphans
or dependents of deceased members Mis-
souri, Council, instituted June II, 1873. In
st. Louis. was the first subordinate coun-
Gil organized IN this State. The Grand
Council OF Missouri was instituted Decem-
Der Il, 1855 The eighth annual session of
the Supreme Council was held in ST. Louis
in 1855. The total membership Of tho order
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
Missouri State Life Insurance Co.

Tho Missouri State Life Insurance Com
pany was established twelve year8 ago
and has been eminently successful not
withstanding the vast competition they
have met with on every hand The re-
suits attained are unecuaied in the his
tory of life insurance. The figures tell the
story of marvellous achievements and at
test the Increasing popularity Of the COM
pany anu its peoefessive up-to-date and
incomparahls finS Of Registered and y
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
knights and Ladie. of Honor.

The fact that it allows no claim to run
over thirty days and the additional fact
that its financial soundness Is no, ques-
toned have contributed most largely to
ths success of the fraternal order OF
knights and Ladies of Honor.
This was the first fraternal order to ad-
init women to the privileges of fraternal
Insurance. and the uniieu States Is now
its field
The knights and Ladies of Honor soci-
ETY. was founded on the sixth day Of Sep
tember. 1sT. being chartered under the
laws of Kentucky, Missouri and Indiana
Its growth has been unbroken and its in
creased good work undisturbed. The so
c!ety is now organized in thirty-four
States. has sixteen grand lodges and to-
tai membership of 5000. with an average
age of 10 years. days. 1t issues policies
In three amounts-S5oO, 81 900 and $2OD0 Its
reserve fund of 500 900 is a safesuard that
the whole fraternal world respects Its
insurance rate is a perpetual level rate
and SO guaranteed by all Insurance Com
mIsstoners.
The first lodge Of the order was formed
IN ST. Louis in September, 1877, and its
growth has been symbolical Of the healthy
growth OF st. Louis In Missouri alone the
order now has over $3.50 members Mr.
John D. O'Keefe. Deputy Coroner of St
Louis. has been grand protector for five
years and has contributed largely TO the
orders success.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
The Fidelity and Casualty Company
of New York.

The Fidelity and Casualty Company of
New York. a casualty company in its
truest sense. and of national repute. and
writing all forms of casualty insurance in
St. Louis. was organized in 1876. Company
after company has passed away sineo that
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
Henry r. Mott.

Henry 7. Mott. general agent Of MIS-
souri, Of the United States Casualty
Company Of New York. with Offices
1t. sl7 Wainwright building. Is very
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
Moses FraIey & Co.


One of the widely known insurance
firms Of this city is that OF Moses Fraley
& Co.. occupying Offices at Sle-Ii-l2 Cen
tury building. To be successful under
writer now. so rapidly has this branch of
commercial industry progressed. his busi-
ness must partake of a metropolitan char
acter and be representative Of various
features and ramilica tians of modern in
surance. The following subdivisions will in
dicate the diversity Of the Arrn's work
and the demands made for their success
ful prosecution: Fire and marine insur
ance. rents and Ieasellolds. taiIors' and
furniture fioaters. use and occupancy,
tourist tioater. travellers samples, tornado,
personal accident, employers liability. ele
vator and teams, sprinkler leakage. plate
glass. boiler explosion. guaranty bonds for
contractors and clerks. burglary and theft.
Among the insurance companies repre-
sented are the North German, the Anchor.
the Northern of England. Phoenix of
England. the Pennsylvania. the Delaware.
the Greenwich. the Firenen's OF New Jer-
sey, Travellers Insurance Company and
New York Plate Glass Insurance Com
pany. The business was established in
1883. and. though of recent organization,
II ranks among the largest and most i'll
huentiai in the city.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
Harry NJ. Coudrey & Co.

This prominent underwriting firm issues
policies on fire, accident, employers liabli-
ity, plate glass, elevator, steam boiler,
surety and other special risks, their list OF
companies including the Hamburg-Bremen
F1Te insurance Company OF Germany, In
Gemnlty Fire Insurance Company of New
York. Newark Fire Insurance Company of
Newark. n. j.; Norwich Union Fire Insur-
aEce Company of England. Frankfort
Marine. Accident and Plate Glass Insur-
ance Company OF Germany, United States
Fidelity Guaranty Company of Baltimore,
New York Plate Glass Insurance Company
Of New York, Patent Title and Guaranty
Company of New York From the above
Il will be seen that Messrs Harry NJ.
Coudrey & Co. provide facilities for
placing more distinctive kinds of special
iZed risks than is often found in one un-
;lerwriting office. and it VII be noted that
the list of companies represented by the
firm is an exceptionally strong one. Mr..
Coudrey Is director OF the Common
wealth Trust Company. has also served
one term in the Municipal Assembly. has
lately organized for the United States FL
Gelity and Guaranty Company one of the
largest and most effective advisory boards
IN the United States. The firm has just
been appointed general agents of the
Western Department of the Star Fire In
surance Company Of Louisville. Ky. for
the following States: Missouri, Illinois.
Kansas. Ohio. Indiana, Minnesota. Wiscon-
sin and Michigan. They are now appoint
ing agents in all the principal cities and
towns in these States.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
Thrasher Hall.

Mr. Thrasher Hall, the president and
general manager of the Thrasher Hall
Adjusting Company. with offices in The
Century building. has an experience OF
twenty-seven years continuous service as
practical Insurance man in office and
field work. over twelve of which he was
adjuster for such insurance companies as
the Western Assurance Company of To-
ronto: the Springfield Fire and Marine In
surance Company of Springfield, Mass !:
England. and the Delaware Insurance
Company of Philadelphia, and as public
adjuster for eleven years. he mas strong
testimonials from both SIDES; showing his
ceptionally good
Mr.. Hall commenced the insurance BUSH
ness at Galveston. Tex. March l. ISL. in
a local and general agency; was rapidly
advanced from one position to another,
and on September 15, 1880. was appointed
State agent and adjuster by large for
Missouri. Kansas and Arkansas, with
headquarters at st. Louis.
At the time of his appointment he was
but 20 years and 1 day old being the
position of that kind.
He remained with the insurance COM
panies for over twelve years, during which
time he had as his territory eighteen of
the Western and Southwestern states. and
was acknowledged one of the most promi-
nent and successful adjusters in that ter
ritory.
Among the insurance profession he has
few equals and no superiors as an expert
accountant. Seeing there was good OPEN
ing for an adjuster for the people in st.
Louis, which city has been his home for
the past twenty-one years. and having
unbounded faith in the future of this city.
Mr.. Hall concluded against the advice Of
his many insurance friends, to take up
the adjustment of losses for the people.
and on January l, 1895. severed his connec-
tion with the companies TO take the peo-
pies side of the question. since which time
he has adjusted most of the large losses in
this city, and is frequently called to other
cities to settle some large loss
Mr.. Hall Is an authority on all mat
tiers pertaining to an insurance contract.
He has very strong letters from every in
surance company he ever worked for.
showing that he Voluntarily left their en-
ploy.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21

Missouri as an organization designed to
furnish sick and accident benefits TO Mod
ern Woodmen, has been IN business only
since January of this year, but in TINS
short time it has received nearly 500 ap-
piicationS for membership. and more than
452 district deputies were commissioned
during January alone The work IS pro-
crossing handsomely. and the association
gives every assurance of becoming at once
what it was constructed 10 be-tile friend
Of the WoodEIan. II Its present growth
may be taken as a Criterion. 1t Will soon
spread its fruits throughout the great do
main of Woodmen-and In that domain
are $1,000 men
The Woodmen's Modern Protective As
sociation has as one OF its founders Leu
tenant Governor Northcott of Illinois. who
for twelve years was the executive Of
ficer of the Modern Woodmen of America
and who stands among the foremost fra
ternal men Of the world. At meeting IN
St Louis last November. Mr.. Northcott
was elected president of the new associa-
ton, and he is now actively engaged upon
the executive duties incident TO that Of
fee. Mr.. W. r. Edison. president of the
Fraternai Bankers of America, was elect
ed vice president of the association. and
mary success. Mr.. Edison is one OF the
best known insurance men in the South
west, and is the originator of this new
Of 's Sickness X or surering from % sceident T He
Is a progressive st. Louis citizen, and held
in high esteem for his works. Among his
other important fraternal work. Mr.. Eid.
son Is president of the Missouri Fraternal
Congress.
Z. E. Murphy. chairman Of the Board of
Directors OF the Modern Woodmen Of
America, is director of the Modern Pro-
tective Association; Charles F. Hatfield,
secretary. and treasurer of the Missouri
Ffaternal Congress is secretary. and
Jesse L Baker, St. Louis manufacturer,
has been elected q director.
The new association furnished health
and accident insurance upon advanced
plans. and will confiue its membership to
the Modern WoodMen of America The
two organizations will go hand in hand,
ficiaries Of deceased members and the
other furnishing protection to living mem