In one year after this a more extended field of operations was opened for his activities as the General Special Agent of the National Board of Fire Underwriters, in which position he gained many new experiences, formed numerous and valuable acquaintances throughout the country, and performed his responsible duties in such a manner as to bring to himself increased honor and multiplied opportunities to display an intelligence and tact of no mean order. During the second year of his engagement he resigned this office to accept the management of the Southern Department of the Franklin Insurance Co. of Philadelphia, making his home and headquarters in that city. Upon his voluntary retirement from the National Board, General Agent Thomas H. Montgomery publicly expressed his personal regrets for their separation, and the Executive Committee passed appropriate and highly complimentary resolutions on his work, which were published at the time in the printed proceedings of that organization. In the year 1879, after an interval of about six years, he once more returned to his old home in London, where for a time he served successfully and satisfactorily the Alliance Insurance Co. as its State Agent and Adjuster. In the month of March, 1881, he entered the service of the Queen Insurance Co., under the management of Mr. Rogers, who pays, out of the fullness of his knowledge and heart, the following tribute to the memory of his friend : Mr. Peetrey commenced working for us in March, 1881, and remained with us four years, when he resigned in order to accept a more lucrative position with another company. I have known him for over twenty years. He always discharged every duty imposed upon him with fidelity and with consummate skill. I have never known a man who seemed to possess in so high a degree the esteem and affection of the agents under his jurisdiction. Few men, indeed, possess so great a heart as he had. His faults, if he had any, were his liberality and kindness. He inspired confidence with claimants, and when he left us he did it in an honorable way, stating frankly the facts in the case, and he carried with him our highest esteem and best wishes for his success. A no less excellent and fitting tribute is paid to his memory by Mr. Irvin, President of the Fire Association : Mr. Peetrey came with us in the early part of 1885 under the most trying circumstances, and the result of our business being a continued increase of premiums, indicates the ability and devotion of the man. He was an earnest, intelligent and efficient worker, away above the ordinary small things of the business, and completely wrapped up in the company's interests. He was the Fire Association for Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia, and we will not be able to replace him. His many |