Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-08-16
BIG INSURANCE
COMPANY TO MOVE
Home TO CHICAGO
From sources close to the executive branch
of the Central Life Insurance Company, one of
Illinois strongest risk concerns and certainly one
of Ottawa's most SUBJ
s t a n tt a | institutions,
comes a statement that

comes a statement that
the company, founded and financed
here, is making preparations for NOV
| ing its home offices to Chicago.
While the reports lack authentica-
tion they are not denied and the
word gaining momentum in local
financial circles with its repetition.
says that the move will be made
within the next twelve months or
possibly two years. 1t may require
three years to arrange all the details
necessary for picking up" and moy-
ing away from Ottawa, but eventu-
, ally, it is very authenticity learned,
the move will be made.
The change does not contemplate
any special disposition of the Ave
story building owned by the Central
Life, until later date. The reports
say that the company will continue
ownership of the building. II is un.
derstood the rooms now occupied by
the insurance officers and employees
will be leased
Deals. 1t is understood. are now be-
ing made for securing a site for the
new home somewhere near the Will
son avenue district, on Chicago's
growing north side. A whole build
ing will be rented for housing the
company offices and if the growth
warrants later on, new home will
be erected on property to be acquir-
ed later
Move Long Debated.
The decision to quit2Ottawa and es-
tabIish themselves in Chicago is said
to have been the outcome of serious
deliberations on the part of officers
and directors at countless meetings,
during which the proposition was at
taoked from every possible angle, with
the ultimate conclusion that to grow
in proportion to the company's ability
they must seek a larger field in which
to operate and maintain their main
Offices.
Reports of these meetings as reach
ing the outside say that reference was
made to company formed over In a
medium sized Indiana town five years
after the Central life came into being.
This company, finding its development
curbed, decided to move to Chicago
and in a short time marked growth
was apparent At the present time
this insurance organization is rated as
one Of the strongest in the state, with
an aggregate of $4,000, 800 in bust
ness
Whole Force to Leave Ottawa
In leaving Ottawa the company viii
transfer all its office force to Chicago.
taking the executives as well as tha
large number OF main office employees
along to the new quarters. This
means the officials will change their
residences from ottawa to Chicago
while members Of the clerical force
will be given an opportunity to 60
along and continue in their old posi-
tions If they care to stick 1t means
that the whole staff of executives
President n. w Johnson, Vice Prcsi-
dent W r. Wccse Vice President
S. B. Bradford Dr. T. w Burrows.
medical examiner. and w. II. Hine
baugh, general counsel-will leave OF
tawa to make their homes near the.
new main offices. The d.
rectOrs besides the officers who also
serve on the board are: n ]. Carey.
A. ]. Roberts, d. NJ. Yates. w f..
Prichard G.. l.. Pluess, J. A. Bowman
c. Il. Antram ana J. r. White, will not
of necessity change their residences.
but more than likely will retain thei"
present homes in or near Ottawa.
Organized in 1905.
The Central Life came into being in
1905, when it was organized as a legal
reserve with capital of 100000.
This stock was sold without cenl
of expense to the company, feat con-
sidered nothing short OF marvellous ar
that time In 1907 it was organized
as an old line company with $500
600 in business written on its books.
1t first had its Offices in the Ottawa
Banking and Trust building, then 10
Gated on the site Of the present Peo-
plcs Trust. and then after it became
too large for those quarters erected
in about ten years its present fine
home at the corner of Madison and
Columbus streets.
From a handful OF policyholders the
now occupies a position high
in Illinois financial circles, 1t has
about S40.000,000 in business on its
books and cacn year showing mark
ed advance in growth over the year
before.
Many Offers Made.
From sources which are considered
authentic and close to the officials OF
the company, it has been learned that
recently several excellent propositions
have been made to the company 70
get them to move into Chicago. The
company has large banking affiliations
in Chicago who are extremely anxious
to get them to move there.
For some time the state agents have