San Francisco County
Biographies
WILLIAM LEE HATHAWAY
HATHAWAY, WILLIAM LEE, San
Francisco, California, Manager for California, Nevada and the Hawaiian Islands
of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, was born in Providence, Rhode
Island, February 15, 1867, the son of William H. and Mary (Clancy) Hathaway.
His paternal origin is of the old Puritan stock, with its source in the
William
L. Hathaway's early boyhood was passed in
Since his entrance into the insurance world Mr. Hathaway's work has
been closely connected with the agency end of the business. He early
conceived the idea of transforming the previously existing methods to a system
that has formed the basis of the present procedure. This consisted largely in
eliminating the extravagant cost of getting business and in educating for
insurance young men who were doing fairly well in other walks of life. He acted
on the theory that a man capable of success in other activities could succeed
in life insurance. Strong in this belief, he organized in the insurance world a
new force, which has proved a benefit to the companies and to the agents alike.
Naturally, his ideas and work attracted wide attention and led to an extension,
which the company called upon him to achieve, throughout the
His
absorbing ambition to become the head of the
During those trying days Mr. Hathaway's enthusiastic advocacy of a return of all the business houses to their old stands and his re-establishment of his own company in its own quarters, "almost before the pavements were cold," were potent influences in encouraging others to follow his example. His company was not only the first to transact any business in the burnt financial district, but it is well known that the results of his trips to New York to divert some of those millions to the parched business channels of San Francisco are responsible for about $20,000,000 of real money contributed to the rebuilding of the city. The general recognition of his great work has helped him not only in his insurance business, but also in his connection with the Panama-Pacific Exposition Company, which, both in the early struggles, and later through his memberships of the Ways and Means, the Counties and other important committees, he has greatly aided in the quest for funds and by the force of example.
His
abundant energies are now focused on the idea he has conceived for a
Panama-Pacific World's Insurance Congress in
But his greatest service for his city and state is to be found in his share of the honors of victory in the memorable fight for the Exposition. When the battle was waging in Washington this insurance association, under Mr. Hathaway's direction, who as chairman conducted the operations, did such heroic service that the papers of New Orleans gave as one of the three principal reasons why that city lost the fight the fact that all the big Eastern insurance companies were lined up for San Francisco.
He is prominent in the affairs of the National Association of Life Underwriters, the Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco and the Home Industry League, and is a member of the Press Club and the Presidio Golf Club. He devotes much time and energy to all business organizations connected with the upbuilding of the city and State, and has contributed as a writer to insurance publications.
Transcribed by Gloria Lane.
Source: Press Reference
Library, Western Edition Notables of the West, Vol. I, Page 245,
International News Service, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles,
Boston, Atlanta. 1913.
© 2007 Gloria
Lane.