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THE INSURANCE PRESIDENTS AND UNDERWRITERS OF

AMERICA.

DANIEL A. HEALD.

IN presenting the sketch of Daniel Addison Heald as the initial of this series, we have been governed entirely by the eminent fitness of the subject for such distinction. As president of the Home Insurance Company, and the most conspicuous fire underwriter of America, and also through his long connection. with its business, extending over more than a third of a century, he is justly entitled to the prominence which is accorded him.

Mr. Heald comes of staunch old Puritan lineage, his ancestors as far back as 1635 having left their native. town of Berwick, England, to settle Concord, Massachusetts. His

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born on the farm of his father, one of the largest and most desirable in the State, at Chester, Vermont, May 4, 1818. Until sixteen years of age his life was much the same as that of other boys in those times, doing his part in the necessary farm work, and pursuing his studies with the limited opportunities at his command. But lack of facilities did not deter or discourage the youthful student; ambitious to acquire an education, he determinidly proceeded to do so,with the result, that, following a two years' preparatory course at Meriden, New Hampshire, he was admitted to the academical department of Yale College, and was graduated with honors at the age of twenty-three with the class of '41. In his senior year he read law with Judge Daggett, of New Haven, and after his graduation, for two years with Judge Washburn at Ludlow, Vermont. In May, 1843; he was admitted to practice in the courts of Vermont.

Beginning the practice of his profession, he also accepted the agency of a number of fire-insurance companies, among them the Ætna and others of Hartford, and conducted

MAGAZINE OF WESTERN HISTORY.

the business of each so admirably that in 1856 the Home Insurance Company, then but three years old, tendered him the position of general agent, which he accepted, and at once repaired to New York city, which he made his headquarters. Subsequent to this, for twelve years, Mr. Heald continued in that capacity, with such credit to himself and satisfaction to the company, that he was then chosen its second vice president. Vice president Wilmarth resigned in 1883, and was succeeded by Mr. Heald, and in 1888, at the annual election, he was honored with the office of president left vacant by the resignation of Mr. Charles J. Martin.

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No better means of judging the results of Mr. Heald's earnest efforts in behalf of his company could be found, than the statement that when he first became identified with it the capital was but $500,000 and the assets $872.823, while now its capital is three millions, and its assets nearly nine millions of dollars. Its annual income is nearly five millions, and its policies cover property valued over seven hundred millions. land, St. John, N. B., Chicago and Boston took millions of dollars from the company at the time of their great fires, and while others failing right and left, the "Home," "Home," solid and reliable, passed through the fiery ordeal, a little scorched, but very much alive, with the renewed and added confidence its policy-holders and the public. of

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Every dollar of its great losses was promptly paid.

We do not disparage any one of the associates of Mr. Heald in this

great business by saying that experience and untiring zeal have through his keen judgement, long such results been possible to attain. He undoubtedly would be accorded the place of the most prominent fireinsurance man in the country by legal and scientific attainments have each and all in the profession. His rendered him peculiarly fitted for the prominence of the Home Insurance place he has had to fill, and the very Company, with its great record for more than thirty-five years, during which he has had an active part in its counsels, speak more than volumes of eulogy. Daniel A. Heald and the fire-insurance interests of America are identical. More than any one man he has probably sought and sucthat not only its ceeded in advancing his interests, so own, but every other thereby. He was company's in the country has benefited one of the most prominent movers in the organization of the National Board of Fire Underwriters in 1866, and more than any one member has contributed since to its advancement. He has been president, or chairman of the executive committee since its organization.

He has delivered many able addresses before this body, all of which show the knowledge and good judgment of their able author, and will

always remain a valuable addition to the literature of fire insurance. Particular commendation has been made of one delivered at the meeting of the association at Chicago, in 1880. Mr. Heald has reached the age of "three score years and ten," but where this would mean with some an old man, it cannot apply to him. He is much more active and hard-work

ing than many his junior in years, and withal his many and arduous duties, cares and responsibilities, his nature has not been warped or contracted. With a kind word of advice or greeting for all, he inspires the wish that he may be spared these many years to grace the position to which he has brought so much honor.

GEO. WILLIAMS TRAVERS.

REMINISCENCES OF THE THIRTY-SIXTH AND THIRTY-SEVENTH

CONGRESSES.

BY HON. JOHN HUTCHINS, A MEMBER OF THE THEN TWENTIETH OHIO DISTRICT.

XVII.

THE day before Mr. Seward presented this memorial, a petition from a committee of workingmen of Philadelphia was presented to Congress, asking the adoption of Mr. Crittenden's resolutions. A public meeting, numerously attended by business men, about this time, was held in Philadelphia, strongly urging the adoption by Congress of measures of conciliation towards the South. This meeting was called by the mayor, Alexander Henry, who had voted for Mr. Lincoln for President, and the call was issued by the advice of the council, and address by the Mayor and Judge George W. Woodward, Hon. Joseph R. Ingersoll, Mr. Charles

E. Lex and Theodore Cuyler, all able men and leaders of public opinion. Greeley, in his "American Conflict," has quoted at considerable length from the speeches made, and also the resolutions adopted, relating to the subject for which the meeting was called.

He also copies two brief let

ters, from the Mayor and Thomas A. Andrews, designed to prevent an able and popular speaker, Geo. W. Curtis, from delivering a lecture before the People's Literary Institute, on the subject "The Policy of Honesty." This was on account of the antislavery opinions of Mr. Curtis; but whether he intended to allude, in his lecture to the question of slavery we

MAGAZINE OF WESTERN HISTORY.

are not informed. The letters explain the fear that he would do so, hence they are copied here:

"OFFICE OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY | OF PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 10, 1860. "Dear Sir-The appearance of Geo. W. Curtis, Esq., as a lecturer before the People's Literary Institute, on Thursday evening next, will be extremely unwise. If I possessed the lawful power, I would not permit his presence on that occasion.

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'Very respectfully, etc.,

"ALEXANDER HENRY, Mayor. "James G. White, Esq., Chairman." "CONSENT HALL, Dec. 11, 1860.· "Dear Sir—I have been officially informed that in the event of George W. Curtis lecturing in this hall on Thursday evening next, a riot is anticipated. Under these circumstances I cannot permit the hall to be used on that occasion.

"Respectfully,

"THOMAS A. ANDREWS.

"J. W. White, Esq."

The anxiety of the people of the free States to avoid war will be shown by copying the proceedings, relating to the then all-absorbing question, of a single day (February 18th) in Congress:

"Mr. Biglow, Pa., presented a petition of the citizens of Bradford county, praying for the adoption of the compromise measures proposed by Hon. Mr. Crittenden. He also presented the petition of Safe Harbor, Lancaster county, Pa., praying for the adoption of the same measures.

Mr. Cameron, Pa., presented a petition of two hundred and nine citizens of Alleghany county, in favor of the Union, the Constitution as it is, and the enforcement of all laws." He city of Philadelphia, praying the also "presented the petition of the adoption of the compromise measures of Mr. Crittenden."

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of citizens and voters of the town of Mr. Sumner: "I present a memorial Hopkinton, Mass., on the state of the country. This memorial is signed by a few, but they speak the prevailing sentiment of Massachusetts. Any speak a sentiment which is alien to other petitioners from Massachusetts the principles of that wealth. It is a sentiment which may be found on the pavements of cities; for it is only when you get off those pavements, away from paving stones, that you find the true sentiments of Massachusetts." Mr. Sumner also presented a memorial of citizens of Philadelphia, remonstrating against the passage of an act of Congress, or tion of the United States, which shall of any amendment of the Constituextend human servitude or give new guarantees. "What our forefathers would not grant companions and fellow-sufferers in the revolution, we hope their sons will not grant to the present holders of slaves.” Mr. Sumner also presented a memorial of citizens of Philadelphia, praying Congress to stand firm for the Union, the Constitution as it is and the enforcement of the laws."

Mr. Douglas: "I am requested to present the petition of Jonathan Hudson and of many others of Trenton, Michigan, without distinction of party, praying for the adoption of what is known as the Crittenden compromise. I will simply state that these are men who do not live on the pavements and are away from paving stones." Mr. Crittenden presented a petition of William G. Bates and two hundred and sixteen other citizens of Westfield, Mass., praying for the adoption of the compromise measures submitted by him. He also presented a petition of the residents of Morgan county, Illinois, praying for the adoption of the same measures. Mr. Forten, Conn., presented a memorial of the citizens of New London, Conn., praying for the adoption of the compromise measures presented by the representatives of the border States. Mr. Dixon, New Jersey, presented a memorial of the citizens of Nesport, Conn., praying for the speedy adoption of the same memorial. Mr. Ten Eyke, New Jersey, presented a petition in favor of the Union, the Constitution as it is and the enforcement of the laws.

Mr. Morrill, Maine, presented the memorial of Oliver Moses and other citizens of Bath, Maine, praying the speedy adoption of measures of compromise and conciliation. He also presented a memorial of Ruel Williams and other citizens of Bath, Maine, for the adoption of the same

measures. He also presented the petition of Elihu Libby, of Windham, Maine, praying that a provision be made to pay for slaves in any State which may abolish slavery; also, a petition of Geo. M. Freeman and others, praying the adoption of the compromise measures, proposed by Hon. Mr. Crittenden. The VicePresident presented the following memorial:

"Citizens of Boston, in Common Council.

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February 7, 1861. "Resolved, That the City Council of Boston, as the representatives of the citizens, in view of the present distracted state of the country, desire to express their inalienable devotion to the Union and the Constitution.

"Resolved, That they respectfully and earnestly memorialize the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled that such measures of a pacific and conciliatory character may be immediately adopted as will effectually check the spirit of disunion, and tend to consolidate the fraternal bonds of our national brotherhood; and in the proposition offered in that behalf by Hon. J. J. Crittenden we recognize a satisfactory basis of adjustment.

"Resolved, That his honor, the Mayor, be and is hereby requested to transmit, in behalf of the City Council, a copy of these resolutions to the President of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States,

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