neo. ER uA di 1 Ea 22 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, September 29, 1987 Local company founded in 1917 by Harold Emmerson Emmerson staff celebrates 70™ anniversary One of Port Perry's oldest family operated businesses celebrated a birthday earlier this month. It was 70 years ago on September 1 when Harold Emmerson bought the insurance business and the com- pany has been operating on Queen Street under the same name ever since. Harold Emmerson was born in Caesarea in 1893 and six years later the family moved into Port Perry. In September, 1917, he bought an ex- isting insurance business known as Pearce and Ward and it was about tep years later that the company name was changed to H.W. Emmer- son Insurance. HAROLD EMMERSON Harold Emmerson passed away in 1963 and by this time his son George was actively involved in the business. i George retired about a decade ago and the reins of the business were passed on to his son Larry, who to- day is co-partner with Jack Dowson. Jack has been with the firm 25 years and became a partner in 1978. Other members ofyithe present staff are Brokers Reg Manns, Bill Downson, Louanne Brown and Jean Cuddie, and accountant Linda Morrow. The company has been providing insurance needs to the people and businesses of the Scugog and sur- rounding area for 70 years, but one of the major changes took place just two years ago with the installation of a computerized system for files, accounts, statistics, bookkeeping and statements. The following historical synopsis of Emmerson Insurance appeared in the Port Perry Star 20 years ago to mark the occasion of this family business' 50th anniversary. Emmerson Insurance Agency Limited was founded 1st of September, 1917, when Harold W. Emmerson purchased the insurance business of Pearce and Ward. Mr. Emmerson was born in Caesarea in 1893, but the family moved to Port Perry at the time of his father's death when he was on- ly six years old. He received his education in Port Perry and first worked for Mcln- tyre's Dry Goods Store, where now Mersco's 5 cents to $1.00 Store is do- ing business. He also worked for Howard Stone's Men's Wear. On Oc- tober 10th, 1917 Mr. Emmerson married Aileen McGaw, who is still a member of the board, acting as vice-president. Only a year after Mr. Emmerson had established his enterprise, he purchased the Insurance business of John Ford, followed by a second purchase in 1919, the firm of Adams and Hutchinson. For about 10 years, during a period known as the General Agen- cy System the firm operated under the name of Adams, Hutchinson and Emmerson. During this period some thirty agents from Lindsay, Fenelon Falls and other northern centres sent in their applications to the Port Perry office where the policies were prepared and issued. In the late 1920's the General Agency System ceased to exist and the agency name became H.W. Em- merson Insurance. In 1946, George Emmerson, a son, and now presi- dent of the firm, returned from overseas duty, and joined the firm which was then renamed H.W. and W. G. Emmerson Insurance. In 1947 the Agency expanded into the Blackstock and Cartwright area, by the purchase of the firm of Luther Mountjoy, adding new clients and friends in that area. On August 7th, 1963, the founder, Harold Emmerson passed away after a year and a half of ill health, and in December of the same year, the agency was re-organized and then became the present Emmerson Seventy years have passed since Harold Em- merson bought a Port Perry insurance business, and today it is one of the oldest family businesses in the community. After Harold retired the business was purchased and operated by his son George (back) until 1977 when he sold the Insurance Agency Limited. It is not too often a business enter- prise such as Emmerson Insurance Agency Limited stays in one fami- ly for this length of time. From the inception of the firm in 1917 a steady and healthy growth has prevailed, an indication that the firm as well as the staff members have served customers with courtesy and the to on reaching their 70th ANNIVERSARY OF SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF PORT PERRY and AREA. We are proud to have been associated with Emmerson's and their many clients for the past 23 years. VG wish to extend sincere V&G NATIONAL TRUST -- WHITBY, ONTARIO B/ TRUST INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED 193 QUEEN ST., PORT PERRY, ONT. LOB 1NO NATIONAL A Division of National Victona and Grey Trustco L_ best of business ethics. The present office of the company at 193 Queen Street, Port Perry was built by W.H. McCaw, a grandfather of Mr. Emmerson, in 1885. Mr. business to his son Larry and long-time employee Jack Dowson (right). Mr. Dowson is not only celebrating the 70th anniversary of the company with Larry and George Emmerson, but also his 25 years with the well-known Port Perry in- surance company. McCaw carried on his business as a jeweller for many years in this loca- tion, and the walk-in-vault in the of- fice still has his name printed on the door. CONGRATULATIONS ... to Emmerson Insurance Brokers Limited on your 70th Anniversary serving the people of Port Perry and area. ... from your friends at Standard Trust - partners in success now and in the future. STANDARD TRUST Member of Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation 165 Queen St., Port Perry Tel. 985-8435 Open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm; Friday 9am to 6 pm; Saturday 9am to 1 pm IF YOUR AD WAS HERE ... over 12,000 people could have read it this week! That's alot of potential customers for your business. Advertising made easy -- find out more about it! CALL 985-7383 for INFORMATION