February 07 1931
Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut, Saturday, February 07, 1931
G. E. Avery 30 Years At Travelers
Wethersfield Man, in Accident Department, Receives Gifts on Anniversary
George E. Avery of the accounting division of the accident department of the Travelers Insurance Company passed the thirtieth milestone of his service in the home office on Friday. Mr. Avery received many expressions of congratulation on his anniversary during the day from associates in the home office, and was presented a large bouquet of flowers, a wrist watch and a pen and pencil set by his co-workers.
Records of the office supervisor show that Mr. Avery has never been absent from his work because of personal illness and that he has never been late in arriving at work. Except for a year in civil engineering work after his graduation from the Hartford Public High School in the class of 1898, Mr. Avery has spent all his business life in the accident department of the Travelers. Among his fellow students in the class of '98 were Secretary Ahern and Assistant Secretary Lacy of the accident department.
On coming to the home office of the company, which in 1901 was located at the northeast corner of Grove and Prospects streets. Mr. Avery served an apprenticeship as a small boy. Approximately 100 persons were employed in the home office when Mr. Avery came to work for the Travelers, and the growth which has taken place in the organization during the 30 years of his service is indicated by the fact that in 1901 all incoming mail from the post office amounted to only one sackful, the contents of which were looked over and sorted out by John E. Morris, then secretary. Mr. Avery has a sister, Miss Lelah Avery, who is a member of the casualty claim department of the home office, and a brother, Westell Avery, an agent for the company in the Los Angeles branch office.
A number of years ago when chess was more widely played than nowadays Mr. Avery was the champion chess player of the home office, having won a number of tournaments held among home office employees. His home is at 36 Hillcrest Avenue, Wethersfield.
