DUBUQUE TRAVELING AND BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATION

DUBUQUE TRAVELING AND BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATION. The Iowa State Traveling Men's Association was one of the nation's first insurance companies to provide protection for men who traveled for business. (1) The organization was established in 1880 in Des Moines issued insurance to men between the ages of 18-55 who were involved in traveling, mercantile business. The membership dues were $2.00 with $1.00 annual dues. Insurance costs by 1916 had never exceeded $9.00 annually. (2) A fraternal and beneficial organization, the Dubuque Traveling and Business Men's Association in December, 1902 was witnessing an interest in allowing professional men to join. A vote of two-thirds of the members was needed.

The interest in expanding membership continued. In 1921 the organization extended a general welcome to traveling men, their employers and office staff in wholesale houses, manufacturing plants, insurance offices, express offices and other offices to join. The welcome reminded potential members that the Association provided accident and life insurance. The annual dues of two dollars paid the ten dollars per week accident indemnity and all expenses. The life insurance was provided at actual cost. (3) The organization was strictly limited to Dubuque with benefits provided to widows and orphans.

In 1921 it was decided to resume the annual banquets.

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Source:

1. Iowa Pathways, "Gotcha Covered;" The Iowa Insurance Story," Online: http://www.iptv.org/iowapathways/mypath.cfm?ounid=ob_000028

2. Accident Insurance Manual (1916), Chicago, Illinois: The Spectator Company, p. 216. Online: http://books.google.com/books?id=hsEiAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA261&lpg=PA261&dq=Business+and+Traveling+Men%27s+Association&source=bl&ots=Wt-3aHSNUl&sig=GBWLyhYDYqUM4cMdjfX0ovXkIqE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=pRP_UfmAD4XA9gSq24CwDA&ved=0CD8Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Business%20and%20Traveling%20Men%27s%20Association&f=false

3. "D. T & B. M. to Swell Membership, Telegraph Herald, June 5, 1921, p. 28. Online: ?id=HIRiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iHcNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2511,5685751&dq=dubuque+business+and+traveling+men's+association&hl=en