USA > Iowa > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, Iowa : its people, industries and institutions, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 15
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The bank building was erected in 1878, at a cost of six thousand dol- lars. During all of these years this institution has gone along in an even pace, and grown with the county itself. It is now the largest bank, in way of its deposits, in the county, and is conducted on modern principles. In 1873 the capital was increased to twenty thousand dollars, and in 1878 four members were added to the list of men connected with this bank, being C. D. Mitchell, S. J. Patterson, Dwight Satterlee and Z. T. Dunham.
SECOND BANK.
The second bank in Harrison county was really the private bank of W. F. Clark, established in 1870 at Magnolia. Clark soon associated with himself M. Holbrook, who remained a member of the firm until 1872. At that time he engaged in banking at Missouri Valley, where he operated until the summer of 1891, when he sold, and removed to Springfield, Missouri. There was no bank in Magnolia then until Clark & Ford started one which continued until 1898. The present bank of Magnolia, the Magnolia Say-
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ings Bank, was established in June, 1906, and it is now doing a good busi- ness.
The Citizens State Bank of Dunlap was established March 22, 1894, by E. H. Barrett. Dr. William Beatty, J. F. Barrett, M. J. Barrett, M. Barrett and J. H. Patterson.
The first officers were E. H. Barrett, president: Dr. William Beatty, vice-president : J. Il. Patterson, cashier, and J. F. Barrett, assistant cashier. The first capital was twenty-five thousand dollars, but at present it is fifty thousand dollars. E. H. Barrett has served as president ever since the for- mation of the bank. The present bank building was erected in 1895, at a cost of five thousand dollars, but in 1913 an addition was found necessary. The capital was doubled and this addition made;
The undivided profits are now twenty-five thousand dollars; bills re- ceivable, two hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars; deposits, two hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars. Their statement in 1913 gave the capital and surplus at seventy-five thousand dollars. The statement issued in April, 1914, gave it as having resources and liabilities amounting to two hundred and eighty-four thousand two hundred and thirty-three dollars and twenty- one cents.
Through business tact, and good men at the head of every department, this bank was forged to the front and succeeded equally with the two other banks of Dunlap.
The First National Bank of Dunlap was organized and chartered in 1889. It was organized by Henry A. Moore and J. H. Patterson, with a capital of forty thousand dollars. The present officers are T. F. Jordan, president : Frank Wettengel, vice-president; A. N. Jordan, cashier; R. W. Wettengel, assistant cashier. The present capital and surplus is sixty thou- sand dollars. The present deposits amount to two hundred and ten thou- sand dollars. The building cost. when material was much cheaper than now, five thousand dollars. The presidents have been respectively Messrs. J. H. Patterson and T. F. Jordan. By able, conservative management the bank has grown to be one of the solid-moneyed institutions of Harrison county and southwestern lowa. While panics have swept many banks from the once good standing they possessed, this one has pulled through unscathed: .
BANKS AT LOGAN.
Logan's pioneer bank was that of Cadwell & Fiske, established Janu- ary 1, 1874. It was founded by Phineas Cadwell and George W. Fiske,
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and subsequently was succeeded by P. Cadwell & Company, who failed Oc- tober 8, 1888.
The Harrison County Bank was organized by A. L. Harvey and J. C. Milliman, April 1. 1879. Mr. Milliman sold to A. W. Ford. Then the style of the bank was Harvey & Ford, who transacted a general banking business until 1900, when it went out of business.
The next bank of Logan was that of C. F. Luce & Company, late in the fall of 1888. They were succeeded by the State Savings Bank.
John W. Wood & Sons started a private bank about January 1, 1889. The names of the proprietors were John W. Wood, Charles N. Wood and W. H. Wood.
The banks of Logan in the spring of 1914 were as follow: The First National. the State Savings Bank and the Bank of Logan (private). The last named was established in 1905. by B. F. Freeman with a personal re- sponsibility of twenty-five thousand dollars. B. F. Freeman is owner and cashier, with B. V. Freeman as assistant cashier.
The First National Bank of Logan was organized May 3, 1903, by John W. Wood, C. N. Wood. W. H. Wood, B. J. Wood and John W. Read. The first officers were John W. Wood, president; C. N. Wood, vice-presi- dent; W. H. Wood, cashier. B. J. Wood, assistant cashier. Mr. John W. Wood has served as president ever since the organization of the bank. The present vice-president is C. N. Wood; B. J. Wood, cashier, and E. J. Wood, assistant cashier. The first and present capital is fifty thousand dollars; surplus, seven thousand five hundred dollars. This succeeded the private banking house of John W. Wood & Sons, which began business in ISS8, at Logan, and continued until it became organized into a National Bank in 1903. The date of its charter was May 6, 1903. Its serial number is 6,771. The location of this bank is on the corner of Fourth avenue and Seventh street. The building cost twelve thousand dollars. The building was erected by John W. Wood & Sons in 1898 and has since been the home of the First National Bank. It is built of Kasota red sandstone and pressed brick. It is trimmed with four belts of copper and copper tile. On March 4. 1914, a "statement," as required by law, was made of this bank and showed that its resources and liabilities amounted to three hundred and seventy-eight thousand two hundred and forty-one dollars and seventy-five cents. Its deposits. then amounted to two hundred and seventy thousand dollars. This is one of Harrison county's best and safest banking institu- tions. The bank has always had the confidence of the people of the com-
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munity and has succeeded remarkably well. Such banks are an honor to the town in which located.
The State Savings Bank of Logan was established in 1889 by Charles F. Luce. C. R. Bolter. J. M. Kennedy, W. II. Johnson and F. W. Hart. The officers at that date were Charles F. Luce, president; C. R. Bolter, vice- president ; W. II. Johnson, cashier. The officers in 1914 were: 1I. R. Joy, president ; C. L. Isbell, cashier; A. Longman, vice-president. The various presidents of this banking house have been Charles F. Luce, W. H. Johnson, J. E. Davis and 11. R. Joy. The first capital was twenty thousand dollars and at present it is fifty thousand dollars. The bank is situated in the east part of lot number 6 of block number 20, and the cost of the build- ing was ten thousand dollars.
From the start this institution has transacted a splendid banking busi- ness and stands high in bank circles of lowa.
BANKS AT WOODBINE.
At Woodbine, banking was first established by the proprietors of the "Boyer Valley Bank," established in 1878, by Messrs. Cadwell and a few others, and continued until October, 1888. It was conducted in connection with the bank at Logan, and, like that institution, failed.
The second bank at Woodbine was known as the "Commercial Bank," a private institution organized August, 1884. Its first officers were Josiah Coe, president; C. F. Luce, vice-president; H. M. Bostwick, cashier. In 1892 this bank was changed into a national bank and operates as such at this date, 1915. At first, while yet a private banking house, it was kept in the Winter & Harris business block, but in 1885 a lot was bought and a fine two-story brick structure was erected. In this was placed fire and burglar proof safes and vaults, protected by an improved time-lock.
The charter of the First National Bank of Woodbine, which succeeded the old Commercial, above named, bears the date of 1892, and in 1912, it was re-chartered. Its original capital was fifteen thousand dollars which was increased to fifty thousand dollars.
The first officers of the First National Bank were Josialı Coe, presi- dent ; C. D. Stevens, vice-president ; H. M. Bostwick, cashier. The present capital is fifty thousand dollars. Its officers are Josiah Coe, president; II. B. Kling, vice-president : George W. Coe, cashier; O. 11. Perrin and D. E. Brainard, assistant cashiers.
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The present amount in deposits in this bank, as per recent statement, is four hundred thousand dollars.
The men at the head of this banking concern, and the proper financial management, has caused it to grow in strength and popular favor with the passing of the years, the foundation being laid back in 1884. thirty-one years ago. In 1914 this bank moved into its new fireproof, modern and magnifi- cent building, erected on the same site in which the original private bank was established, the old "Cromie corner."
Connected with this bank is the "Peoples Savings Bank," established in 1895. with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars, the same as is car- ried today. Its first officers were F. J. Porter, president: George Pugsley, vice-president; H. M. Cormany, cashier: H. M. Bostwick, assistant cashier. Mr. Porter has been the only president, and still serves well. In June, 1914, this bank had deposits to the amount of eighty-nine thousand dollars. The charter of the bank bears date of 1895.
The Woodbine Savings Bank was incorporated and organized May I, 1891, with thirty thousand dollars cash capital. George II. Kibler, one of the leading general merchants of the town, was elected president and Lewis Ilaas, cashier. At first they were located in a portion of the J. H. VanScoy furniture building. However, in 1891. the same season of the bank's or- ganization, they erected a two-story brick banking house on the corner of Walker and Crocker streets. The building is twenty-five by fifty feet and cost seven thousand five hundred dollars. In this, and on the second floor, was kept the old Columbia Hotel. In IS91 the directors of this bank were . G. H. Kibler, Isaac A. DeCon, H. A. Kinney, E. M. Donaldson, Mathew Hall, II. C. Harshbarger and Lewis Haas.
Of the development and present condition of this bank it should be stated that it has a capital of thirty-thousand dollars. the same as when organ- ized : surplus and undivided profits, fifteen thousand five hundred and twen- ty-two dollars. Present amount on deposit, one hundred and sixty thousand dollars.
The present officers are Lewis Haas, president; HI. A. Kinney, vice- president; C. C. Haas, cashier. The bank now owns lots 1, 2, and 3 in block 50, where they first built at a cost of five thousand dollars. The prop- erty held now is valued at fifteen thousand dollars.
With the Kibler interests behind it, and the careful management of Mr. Lewis Haas ever since its establishment, first as cashier and later as president, this bank has always had the unlimited confidence of the com-
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munity. During the various panics this bank has been able to keep open doors and honor paper when due or required at their hands.
At Little Sioux, banking was first established in 1886 by B. F. Free- man, who opened a private bank that year with a capital of ten thousand dollars. In 1890 it was changed to a state savings bank, having a capital of twenty thousand dollars, part home and part Sioux City capital. Mr. Free- man was cashier until May, 1891, when he soll his interest to P. G. Hicks. The stockholders in 1891 were Joseph Fox, William Arthur, William Mc- Williams, T. M. C. Logan and a number of Sioux City capitalists. Finally this bank went out of business.
BANKS AT PERSIA.
At Persia banking commenced with the Bank of Persia, established by WV. U. Cochrane in the summer of 1882, and by him operated until 1885, when B. Freeman succeeded him. L. W. Peasley followed him, and in January, 1891, he sold the business to J. W. Davis, of Avoca, placing S. E. Eshelman in charge of the same. The bank did an excellent business, Mr. Eshelman remaining there for fourteen years, when he resigned and was succeeded by Robert Ivens, who managed the business until his death in the autumn of 1913. At his death the Ivens interests again summoned S. E. Eschelman to take charge of the business. Ile was interested in the or- ganization of the present bank under the laws of the state, as a state sav- ings bank, in January, 1914.
The present officers are Thomas H. Platter, president; S. E. Davis, vice-president ; S. E. Eschelman, cashier. The capital is twenty-five thou- sand dollars. The various presidents of this and its preceding banks have been B. F. Freeman, L. W. Peasley, J. W. Davis, S. E. Davis and Thomas II. Platter.
A building was erected in 1900 at a cost of three thousand dollars, equipped with one of the best safes possible to be procured.
The Persia Savings Bank was established in June, 1910, by B. G. Ensign. Its first officers were J. E. Kemmish, president; B. J. Ensign, vice-president; J. G. Cave, cashier. The capital was at first ten thousand dollars, but has been increased to twenty thousand dollars. This bank oc- cupies a brick building on Main street, valued at three thousand dollars. On June 9, 1914. the amount of deposits on hand were two hundred and forty- nine thousand dollars. There are over fifty stockholders, who have created
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a bank by and for the people of Persia and vicmity. It has had a steady growth from the first of its operations.
The officers in 1914 were J. E. Kemmish, president ; Charles Gramkow, vice-president, and J. G. Cave, cashier.
The statement published in April, 1914, showed resources and liabili- ties amounting to two hundred and sixty-eight thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven dollars and eleven cents.
The State Savings Bank of, Modale was organized in 1903, with a capital of fifteen thousand dollars, which has been increased to twenty-five thousand dollars. The first officers were John Young, president; H. M. Silsby, cashier; W. J. Burke, vice-president. Today the officers are John Young, president; H. M. Silsby, vice-president ; R. S. Sassman, cashier.
A building was erected in 1904, at a cost of six thousand dollars, includ- ing lot and fixtures. It is a handsome, modern pressed brick structure. The statement of this banking concern, for June 30, 1914, shows resources and liabilities to the amount of one hundred and forty-five thousand six hundred and ninety-nine dollars and twenty-five cents. At that date there was on deposit in this bank one hundred and fifteen thousand four hundred and forty-eight dollars and sixty-four cents; surplus and profits, five thousand two hundred and fifty dollars and sixty-one cents. The directors include Il. R. Coulthard, W. A. Smith, H. M. Silsby, John Young and R. S. Sass- man.
MONDAMIN SAVINGS BANK.
The Mondamin Savings Bank, with a capital of thirty-five thousand dollars, was organized in May, 1912, by M. T. McEvoy, W. A. Smith, J. L. Macfarlane, David Gee and G. P. McCauley and John Young. The present deposits amount to one hundred and thirty thousand nine hundred and seventy-nine dollars. The officers are now J. L. McClannahan, presi- dent ; W. A. Smith, vice-president ; MI. T. McEvoy, cashier. This succeeded the first bank of the town, the old Mondamin Bank. The statement for April, 1914, showed the following resources: Loans, one hundred and forty- nine thousand and eighty-three dollars and seventy-three cents: real estate and fixtures, five thousand dollars; cash and exchange, four thousand nine hundred and ninety dollars and twenty cents; overdrafts, four thousand four hundred and ninety-two dollars and two cents. The directors during 1914 were: J. L. McClannahan, David Gee, Louis Erixon, W. A. Smith, M. T. McEvoy. The management of this institution has assured the commun- ity that all is carried on with business care and ability.
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Pisgah Savings Bank was organized in 1005, following two or three other attempts at banking in Pisgah, one of which was a failure. The present concern is a solid, well-backed bank in which all have the utmost confidence by reason of the men at its head and the capital which stands personally back of it in Harrison county. The organizers were Messrs. T. F. Jefferson, F. C. Oviatt. C. W. Sherwood, C. A. Bolter. Josiah Coc. T. G. Turner. J. O. Silsby, D. N. Kinnis, H. B. Kling. William H. Mc- Ewen. Ezra Miller. H. M. Cormany, H. M. Bostwick. A. J. Coe and George W. Coe. It commenced business on a capital of fifteen thousand dollars, which has been increased recently to thirty thousand dollars. The first of- ficers were II. M. Bostwick. president; J. O. Silsby, vice-president; IJ. D. Silsby, cashier. The officers during 1914 were George W. Coe, presi- dent ; J. O. Silsby, vice-president ; J. C. Arnold, cashier. June 30, 1914, the bank had deposits amounting to one hundred and nine thousand six hundred and forty-four dollars and thirty-nine cents. \ building was erected in 1912, which with lot and fixtures cost seventy-two thousand five hundred dollars.
Peyton Bank, at Little Sioux, was organized in 1898 with a capital of five thousand dollars, which has been increased to twenty-five thousand dollars. The bank has made a fine growth and has the good will of all in the northwest portion of Harrison county. Its present deposits are ninety thousand dollars. Charles Peyton was the first president and organized the bank. In 1914 the officers were W. T. Peyton, president ; vice-president, E. Peyton: George H. Gibson, cashier; I. E. Hope, assistant cashier. A finc pressed brick bank building was erected in 1913 at a cost of about four thousand five hundred dollars. Here a general banking business is carried on in a successful manner.
The Little Sioux Savings Bank was organized May 10. 1907, by F. M. Terry, who was the president and is still holding such position. Others connected with the organization were Bruce I. Hesse, vice-president, and C. K. Hesse, cashier. The original and present capital was ten thousand dol- lars. A recent statement shows deposits amounting to forty thousand dol- lars, with liabilities and resources amounting to forty-six thousand eight hundred and twenty-six dollars and fifty-five cents on July 12, 19144. The officers in July. 1914. were F. M. Terry, president : B. I. Hesse, vice-presi- dent : C. K. Hesse, cashier.
CHAPTER XIII.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS-PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ETC.
The first record of any school in Harrison county was concerning the one taught at. or very near, the present town plat of Calhoun, in the winter of 1848-49, in a log building erected for that purpose, by the first settlers. It was taught by Mrs. James Cummings, wife of a Mormon missionary who at that time was in England getting recruits for the Mormon church. There were ten scholars, most of whom belonged to the families of pioneer Brown and Allen. This was a subscription school.
In 1855 George W. Brigham taught school in a frame school house in which Julia A. Boynton taught in the summer of 1856. Calhoun is now a small township and it is found that in 1890 it contained four school build- ings, and maintained good public schools. It will be observed that the pio- neers generally, speaking of this county, believed in education and welcomed the coming of good public schools.
The first school taught at old St. John commenced the first Monday in December, 1850, at what was known as the "Mormon Tabernacle." a log house, located on the northwest of the southeast of section 35. This was a subscription school taught by Dr. Robert McGavren, who took all kinds of produce as tuition fees, and received a very small amount of cash. Things had changed by the eighties. when it is seen that nine public school- houses dotted the township. This did not include the Missouri Valley city schools.
In the winter of 1851-52. James B. McCurley taught a term of school in what is now Union township, in an old Mormon cabin, located on section 6 of the township. It was situated at Harris Grove. The next was held at Samuel Wood's residence, in section 23. This was a subscription school taught by Mrs. Howard S. Smith, in 1857. As times changed and other settlers came in, good schools obtained and a quarter of a century later the regulation number of school buildings was seen in this township.
Cass township has ever kept pace in educational matters with her sister townships. Prior to the winter of 1852-53 the children of this section had no school advantages, aside from those gained at home, in primary ways.
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from parents and okler brothers and sisters. But during the last-named season the late Judge Stephen King was employed to teach. He was a splendid man, a fine teacher and gave universal satisfaction. The school- house was a crude affair, but no grumbling was heard-all were glad to get the opportunity to attend a regular school. They believed that "a good school in a poor building is better than a poor school in a fine building." But as time rolled by and the township became settled. the full quota of nine school houses were built and excellent schools maintained. Of this pioneer cabin school house, let it be recorded that it stood on the southwest quarter of section 17 and its early teachers were Stephen King, Jason Z. Hunt, Kirtland Card, a Mr. Fuller from New York, and Lindley Evans. These men have all long since passed from earth's shining circle.
FIRST TEACHER IN JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
In Jefferson township the honor of teaching the first school belongs to Sylvia Harris, who later became the wife of B. F. LaPorte, of Logan. She taught in 1853 in a log house in section 22, that was owned by Peter Brady. Miss Harris came from the East in 1852 with Mr. Brady. This rude school- house was used where it was first built, for three years, and then moved a hundred rods to the southwest, where it was used a number of years longer. Lindley MI. Evans and a Miss Vore taught in private houses in 1857. In 1891 there were five good buildings of modern type in this township, not counting those in Logan, which was set off before that as an independent district.
In the early fifties, when schools were first instituted in LaGrange township, the first term was taught by James McCurley. It was in the Mc- Kenney neighborhood and was taught in the winter of 1851-52, in a desert- ed Mormon cabin in section 6 of Union township, but was attended by the scholars from LaGrange township. The late local attorney and historian. Joe Smith, of Logan, wrote concerning this school: "The building was sup- plied with seats the soft side of a puncheon being turned uppermost and rest- ed upon four pin-legs, two at cach end and one in the center. Heat was supplied by a big fireplace, as well as an occasional 'warming' from the hickory whip, wielded, of course, for discipline, more than for cultivating good disposition upon the part of the pupils. Writing desks were made by bass-wood boards being fastened to the wall. 'Moral suasion' was not em- ployed to the degree that hickory suasion was in those carly day schools."
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The first public school building was erected in 1858 and was known as the "Dakan school." A Mr. Stone taught the first school in this building.
In Clay township the first school house was erected in the northwest quarter of section 25, about 1856. It was made from rough cottonwood boards, set up and down. Two other buildings have been erected on the same site. In the first named building there were frequent religious services.
Douglas township, though far away from railroads and towns, has never neglected her public schools. The foundation for a good public school was laid away back in the fifties, when, about 1856. a school was taught at George Mefford's residence by Nathaniel Mefford. Not until about the close of the Civil War there a school building erected, when one was reared of brick, in section 30. The next was built by J. B. Frank- lin and W. H. Burkholder in 1867. That was a log house in section 16. Carrie W. Burkholder tanght the first school and had only eight pupils. For more than a quarter of a century there have been nine school houses in this township.
In Little Sioux township. in the summer of 1857, Mrs. J. P. Pratt. then Miss Mary Gleason, tanght a school in her father's house. A. T. Crane taught the first school in a regular public school building, which was built in the winter of 1857-58. Forty pupils were in attendance. The wages were fixed at twenty-seven dollars per month-ten dollars in cash from the county fund and the remainder in provisions from the patrons of the school. The teacher was examined by D. M. Gamet ( there being no such office as county school superintendent at that date). Mr. Gamet asked the applicant for a speci- men of his handwriting and gave him an example in fractions. This was sufficient and he gave him a school. Now the schools of the township are fully up to the Harrison county standard for country schools.
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