HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1951-06-28, Page 3THE TIMES-ADVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO THURSPAY MORNING, JUNE 28, 1931 Page 3
Usborne & Hibbert Insurance Co. Marks 75th Anniversary
aEarly in 1951 a seventy-fifth anniversary for the Us
borne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Co. was considered
by the Board of Directors. It was decided to ask B. W. F.
Beavers, a former secretary-treasurer, to be the historian to
gather a record of some of the important business as trans?
acted by the company, he having* had long experience of the
company’s affairs. The facts as recorded here were gathered
from the Minute Books of the
The credit for the success of
the company is due to the sterl
ing character of its policy-hold
ers and of the directors, agents
and secretary-treasurers into
whose hands the business was
entrusted,
bert beixig
insurance
ho profits
and the policy holders received
their protection at cost. The com
pany grew from a small begin
ning until today the company is
the eighth largest farmers’ mu
tual fire insurance company in
Ontario.
June 28, 1951, being the
seventy-fifth anniversary of the
' beginning of the company, it is
being celebrated by the publica
tion of some information con
cerning the growth of this irn-
protection
for farm property. It is with
great pleasure and pride that
this history is published,
hope it will help to give you a
fuller appreciation of the part
the company has played in serv
ing the public and also that it
may add to your interest in oui*
enterprise.
Milton McCurdy, President
A. Fraser, secretary-treasurer.
Because Canada is a compara
tively young country many of
our rural enterprises that have
played important roles in its de
velopment are just* beginning to
celebrate historic “anniversaries.
Such an enterprise is the Usborne
& Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance
Co., which, although starting
from a small beginning, is today
one of the largest companies of
its kind in Canada and the Brit
ish Empire. This year (1951) it
marks its 75th anniversary and
the following account tells a
story of its history—a history
that is a measure of-^Canada's
development from the early days
of Confederation.
B. W. F. Beavers Ex secretary
treasurer. *
The Usborne & Hib-
a purely mutual fire
company there were
distributed to anyone
portant and useful
We
B. VV. F. BEAVERS
Secretary-treasurer
for 20 years
June 28, 1876: The first
Board of Directors consisted of
the following: Alex Duncan, Ro
bert Gardiner, Finlay McCormick,
James Halls, Robert Creery,
Thomas M. Kay and William
Worden. Robert Gardiner elect
ed president, Alex Ducan vice-
president, John Carmichael agent
for Hibbert township, <N. J.
Clark secretary-treasurer and
agent for Usborne township. The
agents’ fees were 50 cents for
each members
stock book and $1.00 for each
new name added.
ings were held
Factory, lot 19, North Thames
Road, just east of Farquhar.
1877—The first annual report
showed 206 policies, insurance
$227,725, expenses $93.10, Cash
on Hand $62.25. There were no
losses in the first year. The dir
ectors received no remuneration.
The first loss of $90<0'.00 was
paid, in October 1877 to James
Gillespie, but,he refunded $50.00
for a cash settlement. The $900.-
was borrowed by the company
from Molson’s Bank, Exeter, for
three months, $21.00 interest be
ing paid. An assessment of 5c
pei* $100.00 of insurance was
made.
1880— Thomas Harton was
paid $75.<0'0 for a purebred bull
killed by lightning in stable
William Towers was paid $25.00
for a cow killed by lightning.
These payments were
two- " ’
the
ing
79
amount of insurance $815,255,
losses $1,025.33. The amount
collected from policy-holders was
$2,49 6.79. The year’s expenses
$140.40, At this annual meeting
the risk from steam threshers was
discussed; a motion was passed
whereby people using them would
Carry there own risk.
1881— A special meeting of the
policy-holders was held May 23
when it was endorsed on motion
of James Rusnell and Robert
Porter to carry the insurance
where steam threshing machines
were used.
1882 Variations added to
name on the
The first meet
in the Cheese
■thirds actual
fourth annual
operations to
there were
made at
cash value. At
meeting cover-*
the end of 18-
690 policies,
company from its formation,
policies: no
buildings are
kindled within
also by-law to
cidents by threshers; also
mals killed by lightning
side of buildings on owner’s
mises to be paid for. John
son appointed agent for Fullarton.
-At the annual meeting
was allowed
on the
agent. Capt.
Jackson were
elected. The
to Insurance
Toronto,
payment where
burned by fire
80 feet of them;
insure against ac-
1883
Fullarton township
to have two directors
board and one
Fraxxqis and Janies
the two directors
first representative
Convention,
4 and 5, 1883, was the
Robert Gardiper. R.
was appointed director
of Capt. Francis who
pointed agent for
township.
1885—-N. J. Clark was repre
sentative to Mutual Underwriters
of Ontario, Feb. 4 and 5. Fifteen
companies were represented; sub
jects discussed were steam thres
hers, the mortgage clause (dis
approved). The committee ap
pointed on threshers were: W.
J. Shannon, McKillop Company,
N. J. Clark, Usborne & Hibbert
Company, William Johnston,
Blanshard Company. 2 percent
commission paid D. McLachlan,
John Carmichael, Capt. Francis
and James Ballantyne fox* collect
ings assesments.
188 6—At the
meeting a motion
the company to
directors. The six
ed were Robert
Duncan, D. Mitchell, D. McLach
lan, R. H. Bain and J. Jackson.
N. J. Clark resigned as secretary
treasurer. J. S. Gilfillan was ap
pointed agent at Mooresville.
The maximum insurance on any
risk was set at $3,00i0'.00. James,
Gillespie was appointed secret
tary-treasurer. The secretary was
empowered to transfex* policies
and charge transfex* fee of 50
cents.
18 87—Alex Duncan appoint
ed secretary-treasurer and agent.
1888— John Essery elected
director James Halls declining.
1889— W. H. Passmore elect
ed' director. Thomas Cameron ap
pointed secretary-treasurer. David
Mitchell elected president.
1891— The annual meeting ad
vised the board to adopt the
four-year system or contract of
policy beginning January 1, 18->
92. David Mitchell president,
James Jackson vice-president.
The president was to receive one
cent for signing and examining
each policy issued. Secretary al
lowed to destroy all applications
one year after expiration. Annual
reports were ordered to be print
ed. Losses paid within 60 days.
Meetings evey second month. W.
C. Moscrip of St. Marys, solicitor.
Animals killed by lightning paid
for at two-thirds of value. Claims
for animals killed by lightning
refused unless notice given with
in 24 hours of
sessment made
on all policies
1892— David
dent, John Essery vice-president.
189 4—W. A. Turnbull audi
tor. John Essery president, James
Jackson vice-president. Officers
of the Blanshard Company, F.
G. Sanderson, president, and P.
S. Armstrong, secretary, asked to
have large risks reinsured by
Usborne & Hibbert Coitfpany.
This was granted. Capt. Francis,
agent for Fullarton, died. The
case of Benjamin Dunlop appeal-
January
president
H. Bain
in place
was ap-
Fullarton
Wil-
OFFICERS & DIRECTORS FOR 1951
First row; Angus Sinclair, A. Fraser (secretary-treasurer), Milton McCurdy (president),
William A. Hamilton (vice-president), Martin Feeney. Second row: Harry Coates, Clayton
Colquhoun, Ross Houghton (agent), Thos. G. Ballantyne (agent), Alvin L. Harris (agent).
—Photo by Jack Doerr
for
in
at
tenth annual
was passed for
have only six
directors elect-
Gardiner, A.
time of loss. As?
on September 1
then in force.
Mitchell presi-
JOHN ESSERY
associated with the
company for 58 years
—18 years as director
and 40 years as agent
1895— John Wilson appointed
agent for Fullarton. Agents not
required to attend meetings* Dir
ectors refuse to pay
assessment not paid,
seven cents on $1.0,0
note, or 21 cents per
insurance. Decided to meet in
Farquhar Public Hall instead of
at R. Gardiner’s store. D. Mit
chell resigns as director.
1896— -T, Rryan elected direc
tor in place of D. Mitchell. As
sessment of 13 cents on $100 of
premium hot levied and sec. to be
at certain places to collect (to get
one percent of assessments col
lected). Claim of Thos. Ward $1,-
loss where
Rate set at
of premium
$100.00 of
518 settled by arbitrator James
Halls for $942.
1897—Claim of W. Towers
threshing machine burned
barn of T. Rundle rejected
annual meeting. President John
Essery a delegate to Underwrit
ers’ Association, Walker House,
Toronto, February 24 and 25.
Expenses $17.10.
189 8—Motion recinded limit
ing amount that could be carri
ed at the end of any year of
$,1000 increased to $3,000. John
A. Norris elected a director.
1899— W C.. Moscrip resigned
as company’s solicitor, Collins &
Stanbury appointed company’s
solicitors. 2300 calenders order
ed for $70.00 and one sent to
each member.
1900— Annual meeting recom
mended no taken
THOMAS SCOTT
Agent 19 years
Here And There
—Continued from page two
tion. This new vigour may well
be a ringing of the alarm bell
that tells of further depletion.
Let no soil cultivator be deceiv
ed on this -point, as many of us
are likely to be deceived.
We have scant respect for the
sanity of the man who believes
himself growing rich by drawing
heavily on the bank for -both
cash and credit. Farmers are too
wise to allow themselves to be
deceived by world torrents pour
ed over their devoted heads by
lecturers either young' ox* old,
who undertake to tell them pre
cisely how the soil is to be im
proved while highly productive
farming is going forward.
They are familiar with the
various methods by which land
may be enriched by the barnyard
and the legumes and a careful
use of mineral fertilizer. They
know m good deal about the im
portance of cover crops, but
what they want to be told is the
carrying out of such a system of
farm -crop rotation as will insure
that each crop removal will leave
the field richer in soil qualities
rather than poorer,
The desire to be told which
crop should come after which in
such a way as to have each crop
present its successor with a soil
fertilized for its benefit. A little
something was done in this w&y
immediately before the outbreak
of the Second World War. That
disastex* interrupted the research
ers in their work. The work laid
down must be taken up again.
County councils are the bodies
for this work. Unless they get
behind this essential task
not be well done.
This job is no task for
boys alone, but for men
Mr. Sanders type who bring to
the undertaking the best thought
and experience of the Dominion.
Ihdividual farmers should be en
couraged and rewarded for work
Of this kind. Huron is blest with
farmers capable of getting into
the struggle for richer soil and
should be encouraged to keep on
experimenting and trying till the
tide turns in favour of genuine
soil improvement all over our
fine country.
where there could be a loss of
over $3,'000. John Essery, presi
dent, James Jackson vice-presi
dent. Assessment of 14 cents on
premium notes.
1901— John Essery president,
R. H. Bain vice-president.
1902— James L. Russell and
William Roy elected directors.
John Essery president, Thomas
. Ryan vice-president, Patrick Nan-
gle claim of $1,551 paid.
1903— Thomas Ryan and Fran
cis Morley elected directors.
Thomas Ryan (president, W. H.
Passmore vice-president. Short
term policies charged an extra
one percent. ~
Hon. Thos.. Ballantyne be ap
pointed to
lighting plants allowed in build
ings. Directors paid $1.50 for in
vestigating claims and 5 cents
mileage one way.
1904 — Arrangements made
with Blanshard Company for
concurrent insurance on large
risks. John A. Norris and W. H.
Passmore re-elected directors. B.
W. F. Beavers appointed secre
tary-treasurer. By-law amended
so that horses killed by lightn
ing while driving on road within
25 miles of home be insured.
Sovereign Bank, Exeter, author
ed to make arrangements for
collecting instalments. Sovereign
Bank was paid $21.20 for col
lecting assessments.
1-905—Insurance" had increas
ed in year 1904 $80,000 on a
lower assessment. J. L. Russell
'and William Roy re-elected direc
tors. Thomas Ryan president,
John A. Norris vice-president.
By-laws revised and 1000 copies
printed. Sovereign Bank paid
$18.80 for collecting assessments
of 1905.
1906
cis Morley elected
ectors’ pay raised
meeting. John A.
dent, F. Morley
Alex Duncan died,
and faithful service from inau
guration. F. Morley resigned as
director. J. L. Russell now vice-
president. Oliver Harris appont-
ed agent for Hibbert. Fullarton
and Logan, John Essery
borne and Biddulph.
Brock appointed director
of F. Morley.
1907—Robert Norris
director. John Kay and
Johns appointed auditors. Meet
ing recommended that full value
be paid for animals killed by
lightning and by-law
to that effect. W. H. Passmore
elected president and J. L. Rus
sell vice-president. Agents given
$10.00 each yearly for attendin
directors meetings.
Board asks that
Senate. Acetylene
discussed; no action. By-laws re
vised and a printed copy mailed
to each policy-holder.
1914— Bulletin on lightning
rods as prepared by Prof. Day of
Department of Agriculture sent
to each member. Threshing ma
chines insured while operating as
custom threshe'r.
1915— Robert Gardiner, Jr.,
died in January 1915. Resolu
tion passed by annual meeting
regretting his death and loss to
the company. Directors’ pay rais
ed to $3.00 per meeting.
1916— President Robert Norris
said three-quarters of losses In
11)15 were caused by matches.
$500 voted to Red Cross work.,.
1917— ’$1000 invested in Cana
da Victory Bonds. $5<00 voted to
Red Cross.
1918— Reading at annual meet-
of minutes of directors’ meet-
dispensed with P. Madge of
River, Alberta, was present
said an insurance company
ings
ings
Milk
had been formed at hie home
district after the style of the Us
borne & Hibbert company, as a
copy of the blank forms had
been supplied by W* A. Turnbull
secretary-treasurer. .$500 was
given to the Red Cross. Thos.
Cameron urged that everyone do
his utmost to provide food to
carry on the war against the
“tyrant who knew no law but
Might is Right". The Superin^
tendent of Insurance sends letter1
of congratulations for the splen
did gift of the company to the
Red Cross and hoped
panics would follow,
grants each of the
cents
cation
quhar
Board
$35.00
1919
Ryan, said we had great reason
to be exceedingly thankful fox*
the great victory won and our
liberties^cand rights secured. Live
stock killed by lightning paid
for at 80 percent of its value
with limits.
1920— Losses were heavy dur
ing 1919. Policy-holders were
urged that a greater amount of
care should be exercised. James
McKenzie and J. L. Russel
ed directors.
1921— Losses for 1920
less than $6,000,
1922— All claims paid
moderate assessment. Question of
Hydro came up—whether it was
a protection or a hazard to the
risks. Letter of sympathy sent
to Mrs. J. L. Russell and family
at the demise of J. L. Russell
who had given 20 years faithful
service. John R. Roy appointed
to fill out the term of the late
J. L. Russell. $9 60 was given to
the Temiscaming Insurance Com
pany for their heavy losses in
disastrous fire in Northern On
tario to save that company from
bankruptcy.
1923— Simon
ectox'.
1924— Four,
company was in
day the surplus
000, The Insurance Act 1924
compelled mutual companies to
adopt a cash payment plan. Two
years’ renewals were pht into
one year and all policies written
for a tjiree-year term.
1925— Death of Thos. Ryan
recorded in minutes of March 2,
other com-
The Board,
agents 2 5
each appli-additional for
taken. The rent of Far-
Public Hall used for
meetings was increased to
per annum.
•The president,
1925 and on April 0, 1925*
Frank McConnei was appointed
in his place. Live stock killed by
lightning paid for at full value
but had to be insured separately*
1926— -Rate reduced from
cents to 20 cefats per $100 of
surance.
1927— -New safe purchased 1
$240.
1928— Company bonds the i
cretary-treasurer for $10,000.
1929— Alvin
pointed agent in place of his
father Oliver Harris,
was sorry two of
members, Oliver
Henry Moulding, ’
be present through
gus Sinclair elected
1931—Losses fox*
among the heaviest
for
se-
L. Harris ap--
Thos.
elect-
were
on a
Dow elected dir-
theyears ago
debt $2,0-00. To-
was nearly $15,-
it will
school
of the
President
the oldest
* Harris and,
were unable to
illness. An-
a director*
193(0’ were
the company
had sustained. Robert Norris af
ter 24 years’ service had passed
on; his son, Samuel Norris,
pointed director in his place,
1932—President Frank
Connell paid high tribute to
members, R. Norris and Oliver
Harris having passed to the
Great Beyond. Thomas Scott ap
pointed agent;
Harris. Death of
after service on
directors fox* r
H. Coates appointed director to
fill the vacancy caused by the
death of William Brock.
1934 — Auditors’ report said
the Inspector of Insurance paid
a high tribute to the work of
W. A: Turnbull as _secretary-
Beavers
ap-
Mc-
tWO
also Alvin L.
William Brock
the Board of
years, William
A:
treasurer and B. W. F.
was appointed for the sqpond
time.
1935— John Hackney
director,
1936— President said less than
$3,000 had been paid for losses
in 1'935, the average for the
past six years being $14,566.99.
Installments had been reduced to
10 cents for every $100 of in
surance. F. McConnel retired as
director and John McGrath was
elected in his place.
1937— William A. Hampton
and Thomas G. Ballantyne elect
ed directors.
193'8—Increase of 117 poli
cies in 1937, Losses in 1937
were less than one-tenth of one,,
percent of amount at risk, A
larger safe was purchased for
$233.
The Usborne & Hibbert History
Will Be Continued Next Week
elected
A
amended
elected
Joshua
for Us-
William
in place
in chambray
piques and
broadcloths
Cottons
sec
EXETERWe Deliver
asks
than
WILLIAM H. COATES
Director 19 years
Gold Medal Tea (i/2-lb. 510) with
Wm. A. Rogers Teaspoon (value 350)
Both for ................................... 690
York Spiced Beef, 1.2-oz. tin 420
Southcott’s large selection of glassware, china and art
novelties suggests many pleasing gifts for the bride and
the home.
0
Brings You Fashion-Wise
SUMMER
■Thomas Ryan and Fran-
directors. Dir-
to $2.00 each
Norris presi-
vice-president.
He gave long
■Surplus for 1908
ceeded $11,000 accumulated at
the low assessment of 15 cents
per $100 of insurance. The an
nual meeting declared in favour
of a good surplus obtained by
making a moderate assessment.
Joshua Johns appointed as
rotary.
19'12—Annual meeting
directors not to carry more
$15,000 surplus. W. A. Turnbull
appointed secretary-treasurer.
1913 -Use of gasoline engines
Smart
Sheers
in neat navy
and dainty
nylon
niarqdisette
A Lovely Gift
Cool summer shorts and shirts that embody both comfort and durability.
. SHORTS SHIRTS
Grocery Specials for Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Clarks’ Pork & Beans, 15-oz....... 2/250
Ayl. Tomato Juice, fancy 20-oz. 2/250
Velvet Cake & Pastry Flour, 3 lb. 230
Westminster Toilet Tissue, 3 rolls 290
PHONE 16