United Commercial Travelers of America

In January, 1888 in Columbus, Ohio, eight traveling salesmen formed a new society for traveling salesmen, or commercial travelers. They founded the The Order of United Commercial Travelers of America to provide accident insurance and other benefits for traveling salesmen and their families.

A salesman’s sample case is a focal point of the society’s emblem. It was this emblem along with the title “Supreme Counselor” that caught my eye on the gravestone for William B. Emerson (b. 1872, d. 1921).

WILLIAM B. EMERSON
SUPREME COUNSELOR
BORN 1972 DIED 1921

At the time of his death, William Emerson was an editor employed by UCT. Did he perhaps edit their magazine, “The Sample Case”?

Emerson death certificate from FamilySearch.org

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Union Cemetery, Franklin County, Ohio