1

A.F. Kempton was only 33 years old when the company was founded. His boundless energy and foresight laid the foundation for success. By 1900 the company diversified to machinery, farm buildings, schools and churches

A company office was built in 1901 with an addition in 1907 to house the expanding staff. Insured property had jumped to $20 million in 1907 and by the end of W.W. I it topped $75 million.

Kempton was a large man, gruff and tempestuous. Over the years his creativity had no bounds. He founded a wagon seat company and a razor strop and paste company in Wawanesa. He had the best car and the best house in the village, complete with a Chinese cook.

For 26 years Kempton remained at the helm of the company. His disagreements and threats to resign finally reached a point where the board of directors accepted his resignation, much to Kempton's surprise. The Kempton's retired to B.C. with a generous pension.

2

Alonzo Fowler Kempton
1896
Wawanesa, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Musuem

3

Original Wawanesa Insurance Logo
20th Century
Wawanesa, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

4

Ad requesting tenders for building new building
1900
Wawanesa, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

5

Inside Wawanesa Insurance office
1900
Wawanesa, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

6

Kempton and Staff
1905
Wawanesa, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

7

Alonzo Fowler Kempton
2000
Wawanesa, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

8

A. F. Kempton, his father and son
Circa 1905
Wawanesa, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

9

Alonzo Fowler Kempton
Circa 1912
Wawanesa, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

10

Wawanesa Wagon Seat Company
Circa 1908
Wawanesa, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

11

Kempton's car load
Circa 1914
Wawanesa, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

12

Kempton Family
Circa 1900
Wawanesa, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

13

Richard Kempton
Circa 1908
Wawanesa, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

14

Charles Kerr Employment Contract
21 December 1900
Wawanesa, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Sipiweske Museum