Personal Glimpses of Life Underwriters: 100 Years Ago in Insurance

Here is an article that appeared in the Dec. 29, 1921, issue of The National Underwriter Life Insurance Edition.

Daily plunges in the ice-cold waters of Shields lake in Richmond, Va., constitute the favorite pastime of Everard B. Meade, district manager in that city for the Massachusetts Mutual Life.

Mr. Meade takes a dip every morning before breakfast, remaining in the water for 15 minutes. He says that “it is the finest health-giving exercise” he has ever tried.

Two other Richmonders who indulge in the same sport with him are of the same opinion. They started the plunges last summer and may continue them throughout the winter provided the lake does not freeze over and put a crimp in the sport.

It is reported that they had icicles clinging to them one morning recently when they essayed a plunge with the thermometer well below the freezing point.

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Montgomery M. Blair, assistant secretary of the Atlantic Life of Richmond, made an ideal Santa Claus at a Christmas tree celebration of the Employees Association of that company held Christmas Eve at the close of office hours. So all in attendance agreed.

Decked out in snowy whiskers and looking every inch like a real jolly St. Nick, he distributed presents from the tree with appropriate remarks. He himself was the recipient of a toy beer keg.

Pictured: Shields Lake, in Richmond, Va. (Image: the May 29, 1921, issue of the Richmond Times-Dispatch)