OUR STORIES


Pioneering a Legacy
1868-1900

Vision and Promise
1901-1960

Innovating for the Future
1961-1996

Strength to Grow
1997-2018


MORE


History Timeline

Download our Anniversary Brochure

He Got Out Ahead of the Fire

 

This article, reprinted from a 1947 company newsletter, highlights an employee going above and beyond in the service of the company to do the right thing. Without this quick thinking and bravery, it’s quite possible that Pacific Life may not exist today.



  • In San Francisco, at the time of the disaster in April of 1906, Richard Mier stayed on the job to the last moment
  • Between the earthquake and fire, Mier realized the safe containing bonds was not fireproof
  • Mier was able to save $72,000 worth of bonds, or $2,000,000 in today’s dollars

The burned remains of the home office following the San Francisco earthquake. Pacific Life Archives
The burned remains of the home office following the San Francisco earthquake.
Pacific Life Archives


As Richard Mier was busy in the office during the interim between the earthquake and the coming of the fire, he noticed a safe which was not fireproof."

Richard J. Mier saved $72,000 worth of bonds from destruction in a fire following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Pacific Life Archives
Richard J. Mier saved $72,000 worth of bonds from destruction in a fire following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
Pacific Life Archives

Dick Mier’s interest in the Company might be said to date back to its founding when he was three years old (his father was an original stockholder). But it was not until June 21, 1881, when he was in his teens, that he applied for a position at the first Home Office in Sacramento. A few months after his appointment Mr. Mier moved to San Francisco with the Company. When the Accident Department was created in 1885, he was made chief clerk and office manager of that department, later becoming a Vice President.

In San Francisco, at the time of the disaster in April of 1906, Mr. Mier stayed on the job to the last moment. As he was busy in the office during the interim between the earthquake and the coming of the fire, he noticed a safe which was not fireproof. Realizing that there were $72,000 worth of bonds, $2,000,000 in today’s dollars, in it, he decided to remove them. While turning the combination, a second severe shock occurred. Mr. Mier removed the bonds and some of the stock ledgers, grabbed a sheet of wrapping paper and ran down five flights of stairs to the street. He wrapped the bonds in paper and went to the top of the hill on Sacramento Street to watch the building burn. He took the bonds and ledgers to his home where he buried them in the basement. Two days later he removed them to a bank in Oakland, where they remained until restored to the Company.

This site was designed as a reference tool to commemorate Pacific Life's 150-year history between 1868-2018. For the latest company info and news, please visit pacificlife.com.