USA > Iowa > Polk County > Des Moines > Des Moines, the pioneer of municipal progress and reform of the middle West, together with the history of Polk County, Iowa, the largest, most populous and most prosperous county in the state of Iowa; Volume I > Part 71
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1 Daily State Register, January 18, 1862.
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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
Dr. H. L. Whitman, one of the ablest of Des Moines physicians and surgeons, died August 17, 1885, in the seventy-first year of his age. He was born in Con- necticut, was a graduate of Amherst in the class of '39. He taught school a while in the southwest, and returned east to study medicine. He graduated from Jeffer- son College, Philadelphia, in '45; practiced his profession in Freeport and Du- buque, and came to Des Moines in 1853. He continued in active practice until 1875, winning high place in his profession both as physcian and surgeon. He was the first president of the Polk County Medical Society, and for many years was one of its most active and influential members. Among his many friends none were more dear to him then were the members of his profession. Dr. Blanchard went with his friend to Lake Superior in the hope that the change might prove a benefit. Despairing of a change for the better, he brought the doctor- back to his home, where Drs. Ward, Schooler and Turner were unremitting in their attend- ance upon their friend. He left a wife and several children and many friends who mourned their loss.
Cottage Hospital was organized in 1870 and at the time was the only hospital in Des Moines. It was built to accommodate about fifty patients. It received its support partly from the city which appropriated $1,000 a year for its maintenance and partly by paying patients and by donations. In 1885 the Polk County Medical Society had charge of this hospital, the managers electing a medical staff of twelve physicians, members of that society. The staff at that time was composed of Drs. Hanawalt, Kennedy, Priestley and Ward --- consulting physicians ; Drs. Brubaker, Cokenower, Colvin, Currie, Gould, Hale, Moore, Patchin, Smouse, Swift and Worden-attending physicians, and C. E. Cruttenden, oculist. The subsequent history of the hospital, down to 1899 has already been told in these pages.
In 1886, the local society held its meetings on the first Tuesday of the month in its hall over 311 Walnut street. Its officers were : H. R. Page, president ; A. D. King, vice president ; J. F. Kennedy, second vice president ; J. W. Cokenower, sec- retary ; J. T. Priestley, corresponding secretary ; W. W. Hale, treasurer : censors, C. M. Colvin, L. C. Swift, O. D. Benson ; trustees, J. T. Priestley, H. R. Page, W. H. Ward. Besides the officers above named the following was the membership a quarter century ago: J. W. Adams, I. P. Brubaker, C. F. Clark, T. A. Coskery, A. J. Crawford, P. R. Crosswaite, F. E. Cruttenden, C. E. Currie, R. M. DeWitt, H. C. Eschbaugh, A. G. Field, D. W. Finlayson, Mary Frederick, E. M. Gould, B. B. Grover (Grimes), W. W. Hale, G. P. Hanawalt, Woods Hutchinson, E. W. Kearby (Elkhart), A. D. King, L. L. Liebhardt, J. W. McKee, J. W. McDowell, Charles D. Moore, C. Nysewander, R. A. Patchin, Lafayette Redman, L. Schooler, F. W. Shearer, A. C. Simonton (Mitchellville), J. O. Skinner (Polk City), D. W. Smouse, R. L. Stewart, L. C. Swift, James Wakefield, W. H. Ward and A. L. Worden.
In 1885 there were twenty-two regular physicians and surgeons practicing in Polk county (outside Des Moines) as shown by this directory as follows: B. B. Armstrong, Polk City; W. H. Booth, Altoona; C. M. Chandler, Valley township; F. E. English, Altoona ; Josephine C. Felix, Mitchellville ; V. D. Fox, Adelphi; A. L. Cockley, Elkhart ; B. B. Grover, Grimes ; T. J. Jones, Sevastopol; J. B. Martin, Commerce Mills, H. G. W. Matter, Polk City ; W. D. Monnett, Mitchellville, E. C. Mosteller, Rising Sun; J. R. Myers, Elkhart ; W. L. Pence, Runnells; T. Seems, Mitchellville ; A. C. Simonton, Mitchellville; P. H. Sharp, Elkhart; J. O. Skinner, Polk City ; Charles Swan, Lincoln ; D. Tisdale, Polk City ; Lewis White, Ridgedale.
In 1886, Des Moines had three medical colleges : (1) The Iowa College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons, reported by the Medical and Surgical Directory of 1886 as having a faculty of twelve professors and one lecturer. The faculty's secretary was Dr. T. W. Shearer. (2) The Iowa Medical College, medical department of Drake University. It reported a faculty of twelve professors, Dr. I. W. Martin was dean of the faculty. (3) The King Eclectic Medical College, with a faculty of fifteen members and three lecturers reported. Dr. O. H. P. Shoemaker dean of the faculty.
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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
Dr. Elias L. Russell died at his home in north Des Moines in 1890, at the age of 75. He had been ill for nearly two years. He was a New Yorker by birth. He came to Des Moines in 1849. He studied medicine after coming to Des Moines and began practice early in the fifties. He practiced his profession until ill-health compelled him to relinquish his work.
The death of Dr. Robert A. Patchin, on the 31st of August, 1903, removed one of Des Moines' oldest and best-known physicians. For twenty-eight years Doctor Patchin had been in and out among the families of the Capital city and during those years had endeared himself to thousands. Quiet, and at times apparently gruff, he was a man of great kindness of heart and conscientiously devoted to those who trusted their lives in his hands. His brother physicians, the Masons, the Elks, and many old citizens and new friends attended his funeral. His widow, Calista Halsey Patchin, now of Washington, is a journalist and authoress of rare ability, and their two sons have been eminently successful in Washington and New York journalism.
The death of Dr. L. Drakeley Rood, the result of blood-poisoning, August 8, 1910, was a shock and a grief to many. The doctor was only 49 years old, a fine embodiment of mental and physical vigor and of the social qualities which make a physician's coming a blessing to the afflicted.
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CHAPTER III.
THE REORGANIZED POLK COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
Taking up the later record of the Polk County Medical Society at the earliest accessible date, we find that in 1905, the society's president was E. E. Dorr ; secre- tary, Chester A. Ayres ; board of censors, A. R. Amos, Eli Grimes and Gershom H. Hill. At the close of the year its membership numbered 98; life members 4.
In 1906, the society was officered by A. C. Page, president; C. D. Deshon, vice president; C. A. Ayres, secretary ; Clifton Scott, treasurer. Its board of censors was: Eli Grimes, Gershom H. Hill, J. W. Cokenower ; delegates to state convention, J. T. Priestley ; alternates, L. E. Stevens and J. W. Cokenower. The number of members at the close of the year had increased to 102; life members, 7.
In 1907, its officers were: Frank A. Ely, president; C. M. Werts, vice presi- dent ; George Cullen, secretary ; Dr. Pearson, treasurer; censor, Dr. Frisbie.
In 1908, the president was N. C. Schiltz; vice president A. C. Stoner ; secre- tary, M. S. Turner ; treasurer, C. N. O. Leir ; censors, Drs. Page and Dorr.
In 1909, A. R. Amos was president ; R. S. Parker, vice president ; J. W. Os- borne, secretary ; Eli Grimes, treasurer; N. C. Schiltz, censor; A. P. Stoner, dele- gate to state convention.
In 1910, the following officers were chosen: president, Wilbur S. Conkling; vice president, Ed. R. Posner ; secretary, J. W. Osborne; treasurer, Eli Grimes; censor, A. R. Amos ; state delegate, J. W. Osborne. Its members numbered 105.
In 1911, the society was officered by O. J. Fay, president ; S. E. Lincoln, vice president ; T. F. Duhigg, secretary ; Nellie S. Noble, treasurer; censor, W. S. Conkling ; state delegate, T. F. Duhigg. The present membership is 150.
The Hahnemann Medical Association of Iowa was organized in Des Moines May 31, 1869, under the name of the Society of Homoeopathic Physicians of Iowa. In July, 1873, it was reorganized and incorporated under the title first- named. In 1885 Des Moines was represented in the organization, by W. H. Dick- inson, vice president and George Royal, censor. The other local members were: C. W. Eaton, E. C. Hough, A. O. Hunter, A. M. Linn.
The Polk County Homeopathic Society was organized in May, 1883. Its first officers were: W. H. Dickinson, president; C. W. Eaton, vice president ; Wealthy Merry, secretary and treasurer. Its present officers are: Erwin Schenck, presi- dent; Alice Humphrey Hatch, vice-president; M. A. Royal, secretary and treas- urer. The society has twenty-six members.
The Iowa State Eclectic Medical Society was organized in Des Moines in 1868, and was incorporated in May, 1873, its constitution providing that "none except graduates of reputable medical colleges are eligible to membership." The society's local membership in 1885 was as follows : J. L. Bennett, William C. Buel, H. O. Conaway, John Cooper, I. A. Hammer, J. G. Hill, Dr. Mallery, W. C. and F. M. McCanon, A. S. O. Flyng, D. B. Rees, O. H. P. Shoemaker, D. Tisdale, and E. D. Wiley ; Dr. Wiley was secretary of the society.
Polk County Osteopathic Society was organized October 21, 1905, with the following officers : S. S. Still, president ; Emily Fike, vice president : the present officers are: A. E. Dewey, president ; Jennie A. Still, vice president ; E. B. Cald- well, secretary and treasurer. The society has twenty-one members. The society is closely identified with a vigorous state organization which, overcoming vigorous opposition, has attained an assured place in the practice through legislation re- cently enacted.
Vol. I-33
513
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BOOK III. DES MOINES.
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PART VIII.
THE CITY'S INSURANCE INTERESTS.
CHAPTER I.
DES MOINES AN INSURANCE CENTER-THE LOCAL COMPANIES.
Des Moines owes much of its prosperity and prestige to the early founding of insurance companies at the Capital City. Insurance companies are gregarious. It was worth much to the city that the State and the Hawkeye, away back in 1865, and the Equitable of Iowa, in 1867, and the Royal Union in 1886, estab- lished homes in Des Moines. It was fortunate that in 1873 the Ancient Order of United Workmen founded its home office here. One after another, came other companies of various classes, until in 1911, there are forty-four insurance companies with home offices in Des Moines, all together providing employment to several thousand men and women. These are classified as follows: Life, six; assessment life, two; assessment accident, six; fraternal benefit, five; fire, nine ; county assessment, two; State mutual, eight; tornado, one; hail, four ; travelers (in a class by itself), one.
During the year 1910 the life, fire, assessment life, hail, tornado, county mutual and State mutual companies of Des Moines wrote insurance, of various classes, to the amount of $333,257,683. In this total are not included the traveling men's, the live-stock and the accident policies issued. The total of accident policies written and increased during the year was $102,824,816. This gives a grand total of insurance written by Des Moines companies reaching $436,082,499.
The following analysis of these several home companies reveals the healthful condition of this great investment and industry in all its departments :
Life-Level Premium Companies.
American Life .- Incorporated in 1899; president, M. H. Brinton, vice presi- dent, E. P. Barringer ; secretary, J. C. Griffiths ; capital stock, $129,400; policies issued in 1910: Whole life, 1,000-$1,509,951; endowment, 32-$46,000; all other, 40-$109,000; in force January 1, 1911, 4,171-$5,832,380.
Central Life .-- Incorporated in 1896; president, George B. Peak; secretary, H. G. Everett; capital stock, $100,000; policies issued in 1910: Whole life, 2,625-$4,138,100; endowment, 381-$527,000; all other, 213-$563,300; in force January 1, 19II, 3,978-$5,596,891.
Des Moines Life .- Incorporated in 1885; C. E. Rawson, president; Wilmot A. Harbach, secretary ; capital stock, $100,000; policies issued in 1910: Whole life, 2,745-$4,392,905 ; endowment, 53-$104,852; all other, 242-$744,621; in force January 1, 1911, 4,617-$6,520,347.
Equitable Life of Iowa .- Incorporated January, 1867; president, Cyrus Kirk ; secretary, J. C. Cummins ; capital stock, $300,000 ; policies issued in 1910: Whole life, 4,106-$6,618,500; endowment, 1,171-$1,638,450; all other, 118-$295,- 500 ; in force January 1, 1911, 36,792-$53,496,365.
Royal Union Mutual Life .- Organized in 1886; president, Frank D. Jack- son ; secretary, Sidney A. Foster; policies issued in 1910: Whole life, 2,610- $3,986,284 ; endowment, 127-$210,500; all other, 32-$112,690; in force Janu- ary I, 19II, 14,568-$23,088,186.
Standard Life (mutual) .- Incorporated in 1897; president, F. W. Sprague; secretary, T. H. Knotts; policies issued in 1910: Whole life, 209-$375,000;
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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
endowment, 24-$35,000 ; all other, 8-$11,000; in force January 1, 1911, 1,732 -$3,135,300.
Assessment Life Associations.
Bankers Life .- Incorporated in 1879; president, E. E. Clark; secretary, H. S. Nollen; vice president and treasurer, Simon Casady ; certificates written or increased in 1910, 33,865, amount, $67,730.00; total certificates in force Janu- ary 1, 19II, 225,574, amount, $451,148,000.
National Life .- Incorporated in 1899; president, J. B. Sullivan; vice presi- dents, Guy Barker, Edwin B. Naish; secretary, Henry Pyle; policies or certifi- cates written in 1910, 3,481, amount, $7,810,500; in force January 1, 19II, 10,089-$19,392,500.
Assessment Accident Companies.
American Health and Accident .- Organized in 1903; president, J. Q. Thomp- son; vice presidents, J. C. Sullivan, A. H. Hatt; secretary, C. H. Thompson ; policies or certificates written or increased in 1910, 927, amount, $584.600; in force January 1, 19II, 1,618, amounting to $1,065,400.
Bankers Accident .- Incorporated in 1893 ; president, F. L. Miner ; vice presi- dents, C. H. Martin, E. C. Budlong; secretary, J. A. Kizer; policies or certi- ficates written or increased in 1910, 17,541, amount, $19,919,730; in force Janu- ary I, 19II, 22,213, amounting to $21,303,921.
Great Western Accident .- Incorporated in 1901; president, H. B. Hawley ; secretary, R. D. Emery; policies or certificates written or increased in 1910, II,068, amount, $21,139,736; in force January 1, 191I, 23,139, amounting to $38,220,359.
Inter-state Business Men's Accident .- Incorporated in 1908; president, G. S. Gilbertson; vice president, F. E. W. Huttenlocher; secretary, Ernest W. Brown; policies or certificates written or increased in 1910, 10,005, amounting to $50,025,000 ; in force January 1, 1911, 15,207-$76,035,000.
Business Men's Protection Accident .- Incorporated in 1906; president, G. S. Gilbertson; vice president, F. E. W. Huttenlocher; secretary, E. W. Brown ; policies or certificates written or increased in 1910, 1,098, amounting to $1,155,- 750; in force January 1, 1911, 824, amounting to $1,592,450.
National Travelers' Benefit .- Incorporated in 1909; president, Elmer Loucks ; vice president, T. B. Cookerly ; secretary, C. F. Johnson; policies or certificates written in 1910, 2,037, amounting to $18,333; in force January 1, 1911, 2,126- $18,810.
The Iowa State Traveling Men's Association is not included in this outline for the reason that it does not report to the Insurance department. It is men- tioned, however, in the "Field Notes," which follow.
Fraternal Beneficiary Societies.
Ancient Order of United Workmen .- Organized in 1873; president, E. B. Evans, G. W. M .; secretary, B. F. Rehkopf, G. R .; treasurer, H. Michelstetler ; certificates written in 1910, 3,306-$2,755,000; certificates in force January I, 19II, 17,023, aggregating $26,907,000.
Brotherhood of American Yeomen .- Organized in 1897; president, William Koch; secretary, William E. Davy; treasurer, Frank S. Dunshee; certificates written in 1910. 41,286, aggregating $496,020; in force January 1, 19II, 133,- 984 -- $1,873.720.
Common Brotherhood of America .- Organized February 9, 1910; president, C. F. Morgan ; secretary, Glenn L. Tidrick ; treasurer, A. T. Sheplee ; certificates written in 1910, 710-$724,000; in force January 1, 19II, 140-$154,000.
Homesteaders .- Organized in 1906; president, George A. Young; secretary, A. H. Corey ; treasurer, Carrie C. Copeland ; certificates written in 1910. 5,429- $7,459,500; in force January 1, 1911, 14,156, aggregating $19,338,500.
GREAT WESTERN
PEAT WESTER ACCIDENT BUILDING
GREAT WESTERN INSURANCE BUILDING
DES MOINES LIFE BUILDING
DES MOINES LIFE BUILDING
EQUITABLE BUILDING
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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
Mystic Toilers .- Organized in 1899; president, W. H. Antes; secretary, J. F. Taake; treasurer, W. F. Bird; certificates written in 1910, 1,981-$2,548,000; in force January 1, 1911, 4,693, aggregating $5,394,500.
Fire Insurance Companies-Stock and Mutual.
Anchor Fire .- Incorporated in 1889; president, L. E. Ellis; vice president, S. G. Moore; secretary, G. A. Holland; capital stock, $103,025; risks written in 1910-$13,584,536; in force January 1, 1911-$22,912,765.
Atlas .- Incorporated in 1892; president, John D. Berry; vice president, F. G. Bryner; secretary, James M. Cushman; capital stock, $230,000; risks writ- ten in 1910 -- $20,234,002 ; in force January 1, 1911-$22,700,000.
Automobile Mutual .-- Organized in 1910 ; president, W. W. Sears .; vice presi- dent, George M. King; secretary, W. H. Springer; risks written in 1910-$27,- 737.50 ; in force January 1, 19II-$27,737.50.
Capital and Merchants and Bankers .- Incorporated in 1903; capital stock, $50,000 ; president, J. S. Dewell; vice presidents, Willard Secor and Joseph A. Brown; secretary, C. E. Campbell; risks written in 1910-$12,414,554; in force January 1, 19II-$33,705,210.
Commercial Fire .- Incorporated in 1907; president, H. R. Howell; vice presidents, W. D. Skinner and George A. Howell; secretary, P. J. Clancy ; capital stock. $50,000; risks written in 1910-$19,794,386; in force January I, 19II-$24,787,04I.
Fidelity-Incorporated in 1893; president, M. Carr; vice president, J. S. Clark; secretary, A. A. Clark; capital stock, $50,000; risks written in 1910- $6,165,178; in force January 1, 1911-$10, 178,922.
Hawkeye and Des Moines .- Incorporated in 1865; president, H. R. Howell; vice president, George G. Hunter; secretary, C. S. Hunter ; capital, $200,000; risks written in 1910-$64,662,234; in force January 1, 1911-$112,937,884.
Mill Ozomers Mutual Fire .- Incorporated in 1875; president, H. J. Benson ; vice president, C. C. Dwight; secretary, J. T. Sharp; risks issued in 1910- $5,878,820; in force January, 19II-$11,352,645.
State Insurance .- Incorporated in 1865; president, H. A. Elliott; vice presi- dent, M. M. Pratt; secretary, Webb M. Elliott; capital stock, $100,000; risks written in 1910-$13,256,842 ; in force January 1, 1911-$31,463,607.
County Assessment Associations, Fire.
Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance of Polk County .- Organized in 1874; presi- dent, Robert Pilmer, Norwalk; secretary, P. B. Venneman; risks written in 1910-$685,459; risks in force January 1, 1911-$2,307,302.
Swedish Mutual Insurance .- Organized in 1881; president, John Wilson ; secretary, Aug. Youngberg; risks written in 1910-$86,680 ; risks in force Janu- ary 1, 1911-$329,277. .
Casualty.
Northwestern Live Stock .- Incorporated in 1907; president, H. C. Wallace ; secretary, C. C. Loomis; capital stock, $100,000; risks written in 1910-$79,- 435.97; in force January 1, 1911-$70,742.45.
State Mutuals.
Automobile Owners Mutual Protective Association .- Organized in 1910; president. W. W. Sears; secretary, W. H. Springer; treasurer, F. P. Flynn ; risks written in 1910 and in force January 1, 1911-$1,607,000.
Farm Property Mutual .- Organized in 1900; president, Forest Huttenlocher ; secretary, C. V. Stanley ; risks written in 1910-$1,646,310; risks in force Janu- ary 1, 19II-$3,901,332.
Home Mutual .- Organized in 1902; president, J. S. Backus; secretary, H. T. Rowe; risks written in 1910-$2,837,238; in force, January 1, 1911-$10,- 003,466.
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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
Protected Mutual Firc .- Organized in 1908; president, C. N. Doane, New- ton ; secretary, M. H. Winhafer; risks written in 1910-$433,501 ; in force Janu- ary 1, 1911-$1,275,669.
Retail Merchants Mutual .- Organized in 1900; president, J. J. Grove, Ames ; secretary, Ira B. Thomas; treasurer, F. L. Kauffman; risks written in 1910- $2,080,859 ; in force January 1, 1911-$3,014,956.
Towm Mutual Dwelling House .- Incorporated in 1892; president, F. E. Gordon, Sac City; secretary, C. E. Harsh; treasurer, J. D. Whisenand; risks written in 1910 -- $9,583,397; in force January 1, 1911-$40,386,787.
Western Grain Dealers .- Organized in 1907; president, Jay A. King; secre- tary, George A. Wells; risks written in 1910-$898,851; in force January I, 1911-$1,388,160.
Exclusive Tornado.
Iowa Mutual Tornado .- Organized in 1884; president, N. Densmore; secre- tary, J. B. Herriman ; risks written in 1910-$35,042,424; in force January I, 19II-$149,851,496.
Exclusive Hail.
Des Moines Mutual Hail and Cyclone .- Organized in 1899; president, O. G. Chesley ; secretary, W. S. Hazard, Jr .; risks written in 1910-$2,694,763; in force January 1, 1911-$3,647,379.
Farmers Mutual Hail .- Organized in 1893; president, Scott Rutledge; secre- tary, W. A. Rutledge; risks written in 1910-$3,136,162; in force January I, 1911-$4,479,194.
Mutual Hailstorm .- Organized in 1899; president, Forest Huttenlocher ; secretary, C. V. Stanley; risks written in 1910-$348,518; in force January I, 19II-$727,317.
Mutual Horticultural .- Organized in 1902; president, W. S. Tidrick; secre- tary, W. F. Ghormley ; risks written in 1910-$631,079; in force January, 19II- $985,046.
1
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SECURITIES BUILDING, DES MOINES LIFE ON THE RIGHT
CHAPTER II.
LOCAL FIELD NOTES.
Until Wesley Redhead, pioneer in so many activities, established an insurance agency in Fort Des Moines in 1850, everybody in the little community insured his own property. For many years afterward, no one thought of insuring his life. Mr. Redhead was agent for the Ætna Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn. Later, when Charles C. Dawson became his partner, the firm took on several other companies. These, with Ira Cook as a partner, established a strong local agency. Prior to the Redhead agency, the Gazette of May 24, 1850, began the publication of an advertisement of the American Live Stock Insurance Company, Vincennes, Indiana, with Andrew J. Stevens, agent, "office on Second street next door below Lyon & Allen's store, Fort Des Moines."
In the list of insurance companies that complied with the Iowa law of 1857, there was not a single company with headquarters in Des Moines. In fact, of the thirty-three companies then listed, only four were Iowa organizations.
The year 1865 witnessed the birth of the two pioneer fire insurance com- panies at the State Capital,-the State and the Hawkeye. The two companies have been in business, side by side, for forty-six years and give promise of endless duration.
Insurance in Iowa first became a matter of statistics in the State Auditor's office in the report of Auditor John A. Elliott, in 1873.
The oldest mutual fire insurance company in Des Moines is the Mill Owners' Mutual, which was organized in 1875.
The incorporation of the Bankers' Life Association in Des Moines on the IIth of June, 1879, was followed by the first meeting of the directors in the following July, when Edward A. Temple, the originator of the plan which has since been so successful, was elected president; P. M. Casady, vice president ; Lyman Cook, treasurer; Simon Casady, secretary; Dr. George Glick, medical director ; and B. F. Elbert, judicial director. The only member of this first official board who is still living is Simon Casady.
In the year 1880 Des Moines found its place in the statistics of insurance in the Census of the United States. At that time the city's one representative life insurance company in Class A ("Old Line") was the Equitable Life Insur- ance Company of Iowa.
The next local old-line life company to appear in the Census of the United States was the Royal Union, organized March, 1886, and first noted in the census of 1890.
Cyrus Kirk, president of the Equitable of Iowa, has been in active service as an officer longer than any other representative of a home company.
It was a fortunate coincidence that the Equitable of New York wanted to sell just when the Equitable of Iowa reached the point where it wanted to buy. The Equitable building since the addition of four more stories, the tallest office building in the city, is a splendid home for the Des Moines company.
The Des Moines Life was equally fortunate in opportunely buying, of the Turner estate, the new five story brick building on the corner of Seventh street and Grand avenue. Since purchasing the building, the company has doubled its size and its frontage on Grand avenue.
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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
The Iowa Mutual Tornado Insurance Company is the largest mutual asso- ciation of its class in the world, and is only twenty-seven years old. Its enor- mous business is all transacted in Iowa.
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