EDGAR A. WALZ, Pacific Coast Manager of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. --- The subject of this sketch having made his wonderful record as an assurance man since locating in this State, and his business being one of the most important of those embraced in this volume, together with the fact that he is sole manager of one of the largest and most prominent of the equitable agencies in the United States, his life becomes one of general interest.
Edgar Alfred Walz was born at Owatonna, Steele county, Minnesota, March 3, 1859, his parents being Gregory and Lena Walz. The family soon removed to Mankato, Minnesota, where they lived until he had received his education and was ready to leave his parental roof in search of fortune. Like many an other lad he tried several occupations before finding the most congenial and in which he has won the favor of the fickle goddess. He had been a bookkeeper, cashier and telegrapher, but found these occupations afforded no future for an ambitious youth; so when, at the age of eighteen, he was offered an important position in New Mexico, he at once accepted it. He occupied this position for six years, and the history of his life would furnish material for hundreds of thrilling tales of adventure. It was during this time that the notorious county war broke out in Lincoln county, New Mexico, continuing three years, and in which hundreds of men were killed; and Victorio, the Apache Indian chief and his band also laid murderous hands upon the county, slaughtering its inhabitants and destroying their property. The gentleman of whom Mr. Walz was at this time the agent and representative, had large interests at stake which were in constant jeopardy, and on account of the county war it required all his diplomacy to keep ranches, cattle, stores and stock from being
confiscated.
Before he was old enough to vote he had had in his employ and under his sole direction, hundreds of men; and as good fighters were, in those troublesome times, the most valuable employees, it is not surprising that we find enrolled upon his list "Billy the Kid" (a notorious outlaw), and others of the same sort. There are probably but few with the exception of pioneers, early settlers and the oldest inhabitants, who have had a more varied experience with outlaws, Indians and border warfare, or more frequently escaped by a hair's breadth from the scalper's blade or the ambushed shot, than the youthful overseer. In 1883 Mr. Walz brought his management to a successful close by selling to an English capitalist for $175,000 the interests in Lincoln county he had so ably and zealously guarded; and it is proper to add that for these services he received $25,000, a most gratifying result, to a young man of twenty-four, of his individual effort. During the entire period of his occupancy of this responsible and hazardous position, he was left wholly dependent upon his own resources, as the gentleman whose interests he had in hand never visited the county.
In 1880, to celebrate his majority and prove his good sense and excellent judgment, Mr. Walz married Miss Luella Shaubut, daughter of Henry and Hannah Shaubut of Mankato, Minnesota, where for thirty years Mr.
Shaubut was engaged in the banking business. Mr. Walz's family now consists of wife and three boys -- T. Corry, Chester S. and Edward, Jr. He is very domestic and delights in his home and family, and no happier group can be found than that at No. 1388 Harrison street, Oakland, where Mr. Walz resides.
After closing up the New Mexico interests in 1883 Mr. Walz and family traveled for two or more years. Meanwhile he invested in cattle ranches; and various other business propositions occupied his attention until 1887, when under the influence of California climate, in October, he removed his family to San Diego, California, and with his usual energy and enterprise immediately began to look about him for some opportunity affording full scope for his business acumen, his capabilities as an organizer and his faculty for dealing with men. He was readily convinced that life assurance was the field upon which he desired to a finish the battle for fortune and fame, and in which he meant to win. Consequently, anxious ever to identify himself only with those occupying positions of merited honor and trust in the business world, after careful and thorough investigation, he selected what he believed to be the best life company in the world, and enrolled himself under the banner of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of New York, the safest, strongest and most popular of all the large life companies. His progress in this field has been most remarkable. He began at the first round of the ladder as a solicitor. In February, 1888, he was local agent in San Diego city, six months later general agent of San Diego county, a year later, assistant manager of the Pacific coast department, and two years later, in August, 1891, when President Hyde visited the coast, he made Mr. Walz sole manager of all the Pacific coast territory, embracing California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and the Hawaiian Islands, and constituting one of the most important of the United States agencies. Such a rapid rise in any business is phenomenal, and in this case it is no doubt due in a measure at least, to Mr. Walz's success as a personal solicitor. Through all his promotions and with the increasing
responsibilities of the management, Mr. Walz still keeps up his record for personal business. There are probably few who receive larger returns from their efforts in this line than does Mr. Walz, and one reason for this is that all with whom he does business are always ready to endorse and recommend him to their friends and business associates, so that he occupies a most desirable position and enviable reputation in commercial circles.
He is a member of the Pacific Union Club of San Francisco, of the Athenian Club of Oakland and of the Saint Claire Club of San Jose.
Source: "The Bay of San Francisco" (and Its Cities And Their Suburbs) Vol 1. Lewis Publishing Company 1892. Page 674-675.
Submitted by: Nancy Pratt Melton.
© 2002 Nancy Pratt Melton