E. W. Poindexter

E. W. POINDEXTER. - There is probably no more renowned man in the insurance field than E. W. Poindexter of Kansas City. He is known not only by the insurance agents of the state of Kansas, but by insurance people all over the country. In order to be a successful insurance man one must have confidence in the value of what he has to offer, must have a pleasing personality so as to be able to approach people, and must have push and determination, not allowing one's self to be easily discouraged, but at the same time must be possessed of tact, so as to know when to drop back, for the time at least. All of these and many other qualifications Mr. Poindexter possesses to a very full extent.

He was born in Indiana January 8, 1854, was educated in the public schools of Indiana and was graduated from the State University of Indiana in 1879. He paid his own way through the University by teaching school in Indiana, having taught a part of each year, for thirteen years, when he decided to engage in the insurance business. His first insurance experience was with the New York Life Insurance Company as district agent at Vincennes, Indiana. He accepted the general agency for Kansas of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, and in 1885 moved to Topeka. In 1907 he moved his office and residence to Kansas City, Kansas.

On December 24, 1879, he married Mollie H. Hatfield, who was born in Greene county, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Poindexter have seven children: Clarence H., Urban H. and Marlin H., born in Indiana; Mildred, Early W. Jr., Helen and Mary L., born in Topeka, Kansas. The eldest son, Clarence, attended the Topeka grammar and high school and Princeton College. After his graduation he went into the insurance business and has been associated with his father for the past five years. He is a director in the People's National Bank of Kansas City, Kansas. He has taken the thirty-second degree in the order of Masons and is a Republican in politics. In 1904 he married Miss Olive Gundry and they have two children, Richard G. and Jane.

E. W. Poindexter is a very prominent Mason and is regarded by them as a royal good fellow, not to mention that he is a prince among them. He is a member of Topeka Lodge, No. 17, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; of Topeka Chapter No. 5, Royal Arch Masons; of Zabud Council and also Topeka Commandery, No. 5, Knights Templars; and Topeka Consistory. He received the Thirty-third Degree at Washington, D. C., in 1901. Mr. Poindexter's private life is exemplary, he and his eldest son are unusually congenial, having so many interests in common. Politically he is a Republican, without any aspirations for office.