Chicago Board of Underwriters
Chicago Board of Underwriters Soundex Code C220
The first Board of Underwriters of Chicago was organized in 1849. W. Dole, who represented a company now long defunct, the Columbus Insurance Company of Ohio, was the first president, and John C. Dodge was secretary. After the first Board of Underwriters of Chicago fell to pieces a second Chicago Underwriters Board was formed in 1856, with the pioneer insurance man of Chicago, Gurden H. Hubbard as president, and J. Kearney Rodgers as secretary and surveyor.
In 1861, this organization was duly incorporated by the Illinois State Legislature as the Chicago Board of Underwriters.
Following the Great Chicago Fire, the board was reorganized Thursday, February 22, 1872. with S.M. Moore as president, General A.C. Ducat, vice-president; J. Goodwin, Jr., treasurer, and Alfred Wright, secretary.
The career of the board was undisturbed until 1880, when, because of violent internal dissensions, a number of members withdrew, and, on Tuesday, January 27, started a rival organization, to which they gave the name of the Underwriters' Exchange. The first officers were Robert J. Smith, president; William L. Rollo, vice-president; and R.N. Trimingham, secretary. The two bodies continued their labors on parallel lines for five years, sometimes in harmony, but more often in hostility, until in 1885, after repeated efforts, a union of forces was elected.
A new organization was created (the Chicago Fire Underwriters' Association), and into this the Underwriters' Exchange was merged. The board members also became members of the association, but the Board of Underwriters was continued. In January 1906, the bylaws were amended and the membership greatly enlarged by the admission of the members of the Chicago Board of Underwriters, which then ceased to exist. Officers were elected at the annual meeting in 1920, as follows: W.E. Higbee, president; W.E. Witherbee, vice-president; J.B. Nowakowski, secretary; George R. Roberts, treasurer; H.H. Glidden, manager; J.S. Glidden, assistant manager. The office is at 175 W. Jackson Boulevard.
