newyorklifeinsurancecompany

Quote: "John A McCall...who died under a cloud." What in the world does that mean???

If this is the same property referenced in this New York Times article, he paid a full $100,000 for the estate property - that was a whopping big sum in 1902.

There was a big investigation into insurance company practices in New York State in the middle of that decade, which led to insurance reforms -- which were fought by New York Life Insurance Company, of which McCall was president. The impression I get from a few NYTimes articles is that he was often attacked for the things he said.

Hi synchronism: According to the associated newspaper article for this image, John A. McCall, president of the New York Life Insurance Company built this elaborate home (called Shadow Lawn) in New Jersey to entertain his guests in high style. Unfortunately, amidst insurance investigations came his untimely death "many believe from a broken heart." More information about this is available in the Chronicling America web site. See: chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1908-08-02/ed-...

Possibly George W. Perkins, Chairman of the Progressive Party www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/452148/George-Walbridg... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Walbridge_Perkins

The building in the background is the Singer Building, the third tallest building ever destroyed (behind the two World Trade Center towers, of course). It was also the tallest building in the world From 1908-1909.

the caption is wonderfully informative, if your eyes are up to the challenge.

I know its truly NYC in the early 20th century , but it reminds me of the illustrations of that time of what it was thought that the city would look like in the 21st century ala Jules Verne.