Founded in 1887 in St. Louis, A. G. Edwards is the largest brokerage firm still run by a member of the original family and one of the largest firms overall in the industry. Still based in St. Louis, today it is publicly-held and listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Albert G. Edwards was appointed by Abraham Lincoln as Assistant Secretary of the U. S. Treasury. He served in this position under five presidents until his resignation in March, 1887. He then formed a partnership with his son to purchase and sell stocks and bonds, largely for banks. A second son soon joined, as well as other partners. In 1898 it purchased its first seat on the New York Stock Exchange and in 1900 opened an office at One Wall Street. Until 1917, most brokerage clients were wealthy private investors and banks. But the sale of small-denomination Liberty Bonds to individual investors revealed a large source of investment capital not previously tapped. A. G. Edwards refocused its business and began soliciting the individual investor more actively. By 1923 it added a new position of "customers' man" to actively solicit clients. In 1931 the firm appointed William McChesney Martin as its first floor broker on the New York Stock Exchange. He later became its first full-time, paid president. During the 1950s, Keith Funsston, then president of the New York Stock Exchange, launched the famous "Buy A Share In America" as a continuation of the successful World War II defense bond program. A. G. Edwards concurred with the industry wide effort to encourage private equity ownership among individual investors. It began to open branch offices, and by the time the Dow Jones Industrial Average crossed 500 in 1956, it had 11 offices in five states. The firm incorporated in 1967, and became publicly-owned in 1971. It acquired nine branch offices from duPont Walston & Co (including 77 Water Street) in 1973. Additional offices were opened at a conservative pace as A. G. Edwards honed its business philosophy of treating its customers first, "the way you would like to be treated." Today, the firm eschews the practice of manufacturing and selling its own products for higher profits. It refuses to place short-term broker profits above the best interests of its customers. It views profits not as a goal but as the result of client-first service. With very low broker turnover and a commitment to quality and excellence, it was named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For In America" in the January 12, 1998 issue of Fortune magazine. A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. presently has over 6,300 investment professionals in more than 600 offices throughout the country.