USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county > Part 29
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The original building, a substantial brick, was thoroughly overhauled and remodeled in the year A. D. 1903, so that it is now not only of sub- stantial and handsome appearance externally. but internally has modern equipment and appointment for the safety of depositors and convenience of officer and employees. A massive manganese steel safe, fitted with triple time locks, burglar and fire-proof ; fire-proof vault in which safety deposit boxes are installed ; steel ceiling, and Mosaic tile floor are a part of its splen- did equipment. Upstairs and basement rooms are well fitted and furnished and leased for lodge room and office purposes.
Commenting on some of the things that has made for the success of this institution it is only fair to say that to the strong personality and excellent business judgment of Frank W. Parish, its president and manager, for many years, much is due.
H. E. Parslow, president for a time following the death of Mr. Parish, and for many years a director and vice-president, has ever been in close touch with existing conditions, and his wise and conservative counsel has been no small factor in establishing and maintaining stable and prosperous conditions.
The present executive, Ed. F. Rose, has for many years been regarded as one of Page county's most successful financiers, and is making an ex- cellent head for this institution. With natural good judgment and shrewd common sense he combines a ripe business experience and strong social qualities that make him an ideal bank president.
Elmer G. Day entered the bank as cashier in the summer of 1906. and with wide acquaintance, numerous friends, sound business judgment, oblig-
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ing disposition, and tireless energy, is making an admirable officer and proving a strong factor in the bank's success and growth.
Charles F. Butler, son of Jacob Butler, one of the pioneers and highly respected citizens of Page county, has for many years held the position of assistant cashier. Mr. Butler is a rapid and accurate accountant, which, taken together with an affable and obliging disposition, makes him an ex- cellent officer and helper in the bank's affairs.
In 1908 this bank was by order of the Department at Washington, D. C., established as a government depositary. This may be regarded as a tribute from "Uncle Sam" to its past record and excellent present condition.
The motto of this bank has always been "Absolute safety to Depositors," and so well has this heen iived up to that in the quarter of a century, and over, of its existence it has never halted or wavered; although many clouds, and some storms, have passed over the financial horizon. Notably, in the panic of A. D. 1907, it made a decidedly creditable showing and retained the absolute confidence of depositors. At the time of this writing conditions are most satisfactory and promising. With deposits of over four hundred thousand dollars, and a cash and sight reserve of more than twice the U. S. Government's legal requirement, its continued success and prosperity seem assured.
THE CLARINDA TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK.
Clarinda being an important business center and the capital city of one of the wealthiest and most prosperous commonwealths of Iowa, made it appear to certain citizens of the county and W. C. Brown, now presi- dent of the New York Central Railroad Company, that another bank should be established at that point. There were two banks in Clarinda in 1903, long established and securely entrenched in the confidence of the people of this community. To organize another financial institution at that time seemed to many, therefore, to smack of the hazardous. But the promoters of the proposed banking concern were men of means, well versed in the business of banking and of good judgment. Their foresight cannot in the light of subsequent events, be questioned. These men placed their plans before a number of Page county's capitalists and on May 23, 1903, the Clarinda Trust & Savings Bank was organized, with such men as William Orr, G. W. Standage, J. H. Driftmeier, C. E. McDowell, James Hughes. Henry Annan, C. A. Lisle, M. P. Ansbach, A. F. Galloway, H. R. Spry, W. C. Brown and about thirty other charter members. This body of men chose for the first board of directors William Orr, H. R. Spry, A. F. Galloway, G. W. Standage, J. Ren Lee, Henry Annan, James Hughes, C. A. Lisle and M. R. Ansbach, and this board elected William Orr, presi- dent, H. R. Spry, vice president, and A. F. Galloway, cashier. The same men are the officials of the bank today. The capital stock was $75,000.
In the summer of 1903 the bank, with W. C. Brown, erected what is known as the Brown block, on the corner of Main and Fifteenth streets. The building is of gray pressed Omaha brick, with sand-stone trimmings,
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and two stories in height. It has a frontage on Main street of one hun- dred and forty feet and on the Fifteenth street seventy feet. A fine com- modious basement runs under the entire building and is used for business purposes. The second story is devoted to office rooms. The twenty-five feet on the corner of this magnificent business block facing Fifteenth street and eighty fect on Main street belongs to the bank and the appointments of the bank interior are equal to any institution of the kind in this section of Iowa, in point of richness, elegance and modernity. The latest im- proved Mosler-Corliss safe, weighing thirty thousand pounds, with time lock and absolutely burglar-proof, is the piece de resistance of the estab- lishment, and the safety deposit vaults are an innovation that are most generously sought by the many who have valuables they desire kept in safety from fire and other casualties.
This fiduciary institution is a new one in Clarinda and its success and growth within the short span of six years seem almost incredible to the laymen and is intensely gratifying to its builders and the people of the community generally. The capital stock of the Clarinda Trust & Savings Bank, as has been stated, is $75,000, and in its last report it showed de- posits aggregating $300,000, although at various times since then deposits to the amount of $350,000 have been shown by the bank's books. Being organized as a trust company, the bank can, under the authority of the law, act as guardian, administrator, assignee and receiver, and trustee of es- tates, and perform other acts not within the province of other banks.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SHENANDOAH.
The first bank in Shenandoah was organized by N. B. Moore and W. E. Webster in the fall of 1872, under the firm name of Moore & Webster, in the building and location later occupied by Roberts & Harrington. In 1875 they sold to the Farmers & Merchants Bank, the stockholders being T. H. Read, W. T. Farnum and T. J. Williams. This bank continued until July, 1877, when it was merged into the First National Bank. under its present management. The First National Bank was organized with thirty- two stockholders. The first officers were: Thomas H. Read. president ; and A. J. Crose, cashier. In March, 1881, Mr. Crose resigned and was succeeded by R. W. Carey, who served as assistant cashier and then was promoted to cashier in 1882. He held the position until March, 1887, when he was succeeded by Frank Hooker.
In 1900 the bank building was completely remodeled at a cost of seven thousand dollars. The front is of gray pressed brick, with terra cotta trim- mings. The architecture is pleasing to the eye. There is a large plate glass window in the front of the desposit and banking room, the latter of which has a large and spacious vanlt, in which is a modern Manganese steel safe, time lock and burglar proof.
This is one of the old and firmly established banking institutions of southwestern Iowa and does the largest business of any bank in Page county. Its statement for February 5, 1900, shows the following :
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Loans and discounts $642,712.58
United States Bonds
55,000.00
Other Bonds. 54,045.00
Bank Buildings and Fixtures. 8,000.00
Cash, and due from banks and U. S. Treasurer 131,197.22
$890,954.80
LIABILITIES.
Capital Paid in.
$ 50,000.00
Surplus Fund (net) .
102,097.78
Currency in Circulation
50,000.00
Deposits
688,857.02
$800.954.80
The present officers are: Thomas H. Read, president ; Elbert A. Read. cashier ; Henry Read, and D. B. Miller, assistant cashiers. Directors: J. L. Gwynn, Levi Baker. A. Nordstrom, Elbert A. Read, John T. Stuart, Thomas H. Read.
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL BANK.
The Shenandoah National Bank was organized May 4, 1882, and began business with a capital of fifty thousand dollars. It had the following officers: George Bogart, president ; H. F. Wilson, cashier ; E. S. Farris, assistant cashier. The directors were: A. B. Woodford, D. S. Priest, John Norton, Z. D. Mathuss and George Bogart. They began business in the building that had been used by the Page County National Bank, putting in at that time a new Debolt safe and fire proof vault. In 1882 they pur- chased the building and in 1888 extensive repairs were made. In 1892 further improvements were made to the building and in 1906 the bank moved into its present new and magnificent building. This structure has a sand- stone front and is the handsomest business building in Shenandoah. It has a frontage of twenty-five feet on Sheridan avenue and extends to the alley, which is a depth of one hundred and ten feet. The interior is up-to-date in every particular and would be an ornament in the banking business in cities of much more pretension than Shenandoah. The banking room has a tile floor, with Italian marble wainscoting, and black Vermont marble baseboards. The grill work is of solid cast iron in dead black. The vault is detached from the building and is fourteen by twenty-four feet. It is faced with Italian marble and constructed of vitrified paving brick. It is divided into two compartments and has two doors. In the rear is one hundred deposit boxes. The furniture is all of mahogany, as is also the wood trimmings. There is a customers' waiting room. a room for safety deposits, a smaller room for consultations, and the rear room is devoted to bank parlors and for the directors. There are two fine toilet rooms and the building is heated throughout by the central steam heating plant. It is also electric lighted. This bank has a capital and
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surplus of one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. It is a United States depositary and its deposits in February, 1909 amounted to four hundred thousand dollars.
The present officers of this bank are: president, George Bogart; vice president, E. H. Mitchell ; cashier, R. M. Gwynn; assistant cashier, F. M. Schneider. Directors: W. I. McCulloch, E. S. Welch, Maxie Jewett, G. F. Cotrill, George Bogart, E. H. Mitchell, J. J. Dunnegan, Class Nordstrom, Edward Birkhimer and J. W. Lovitt.
THE SECURITY TRUST & SAVINGS BANK, SHENANDOAH.
This concern was organized January 6, 1909, with C. W. Fishbaugh as president, and E. C. Fishbaugh, cashier. It was capitalized at thirty thousand dollars. The first statement of the bank published February 20, 1909, shows the bank in excellent condition, the deposits amounting to twenty-six thousand dollars. It has safety deposit vaults, and Manganese steel safe, time lock .. The directors of the bank are James Morhain, W. H. Brammer, D. E. Butte, William Hovenden, J. H. Bright, John B. King, E. C. Fishbaugh, C. W. Fishbaugh, and Martin Fender.
THE COMMERCIAL NATIONAL. BANK OF ESSEX.
This bank started as a private concern, which eventually was merged into the Commercial State Bank, of which A. Brodeen was the president ; R. A. Sanderson, vice president ; T. K. Elliott, cashier ; and J. A. Ekeroth, assistant cashier. In 1901 the bank was reorganized and received its char- ter as the Commercial National Bank, with the following officers: R. A. Sanderson, president : A. Halberg, vice president : T. K. Elliott, cashier ; J. A. Ekeroth, assistant cashier. It is capitalized at fifty thousand dollars, and is a national depositary. Its last statement shows its deposits to have been three hundred thousand dollars. It now has a capital and surplus of sixty-eight thousand dollars. This is one of the oldest and most substantial banking institutions in Page county. Its present officers are: Levi Baker, president : C. J. Johnson, vice president ; Arthur Lindberg, cashier : C. W. Frederickson, assistant cashier. Directors, Alex Caldwell, W. J. Knox, Abe Lindberg. C. A. Linquist, C. J. Johnson, Levi Baker and George Lindberg.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF ESSEX.
This bank was organized in 1901 by A. Brodeen, H. I. Foskett, N. C. Nelson, J. P. Nye, C. P. Nelson. G. J. Liljedahl and others, with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. The first officers were: A. Brodeen, presi- dent ; H. I. Fishbaugh, vice president ; N. C. Nelson, cashier.
This bank has been very successful from the start and in its last state- ment shows deposits to the amount of one hundred and forty thousand dol- lars. It has pleasant and commodious quarters and the depositors' money is amply secured in a Hibbard, Rodman & Ely, Manganese steel safe. This
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bank also has safety deposit boxes. Its present officers are: A. Brodeen, president ; N. C. Nelson, vice president; G. J. Liljedahl, cashier; John G. E. Carlson, assistant cashier. The board of directors are: A. Brodeen, N. C. Nelson, G. Liljedahl, J. P. Nye, C. J. Sar, F. O. Peterson and Oliver Bussard.
THE FARMERS' SAVINGS BANK OF ESSEX.
This bank was organized in the fall of 1906, by J. A. Ekeroth, R. A San- derson, H. A. Chandler, J. M. Hilgerson, Frank G. Miller, J. F. Falk, A. D. Collins, J. E. North and others, with a capital stock of twenty-five thou- sand dollars. The bank opened for business January 5, 1907, with the following officers: R. A. Sanderson, president ; J. A. Ekeroth, cashier ; H. A. Chandler, vice president. This bank met with great success from the very start, even though it had two strong competitors with which to con- tend. The year of the organization of the bank J. E. North erected a mod- ern pressed brick building at a cost of sixteen thousand dollars, of which the bank purchased the corner with frontage on Main street of twenty-two feet and fifty feet on Central street. The bank has a Mosler vault with safety deposit boxes and a Corliss safe, weighing thirteen thousand five hundred pounds. The furnishings are in mahogany.
The present officers of the bank are: R. A. Sanderson, president ; O. W. Freed, vice president ; J. A. Ekeroth, cashier ; Victor Freed, assistant cashier. Directors : R. A. Sanderson, O. W. Freed, J. F. Falk, A. D. Collins, J. M. Kiljerson, Frank G. Miller and O. P. Peterson.
The deposits of this bank increased over twenty thousand dollars dur- ing the last year. The bank pays four per cent interest on savings ac- counts or certificates of deposits, semi-annually if desired.
OTHER BANKS OF THE COUNTY.
Hepburn-The Farmers Savings Bank was organized in 1903, with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars. The officers are: J. Pollock, presi- dent ; C. N. Crain, vice president ; J. N. Swanson, cashier. The deposits amount to ninety thousand dollars.
Northboro-The First National Bank was organized in 1908 with H. J. Scott as president ; A. Harris, vice president ; J. R. Harris, cashier ; H. H. Harris, assistant cashier. The bank is capitalized at twenty-five thousand dollars with deposits of one hundred and eight thousand dollars.
Yorktown-The Yorktown Savings Bank was established in 1900 with J. N. Miller, president ; N. H. Harris, vice president ; and M. List, cashier. The bank is capitalized for ten thousand dollars and the deposits amount to one hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
Braddyville-The Farmers Savings Bank was organized in 1899 with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. The present officers are : L. C. Lawrence, president ; J. T. Wolfe, vice president : L. G. Martin, cashier. The deposits amount to one hundred and thirty-one thousand dollars.
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Coin-The Farmers & Merchants Bank was organized in 1904. The present officers are: Charles Hart, president ; J. F. Whitmore, vice presi- dent ; G. F. Mitchell, cashier; F. E. Ruby, assistant cashier. The capital stock is twenty-five thousand dollars, with deposits amounting to eighty- five thousand dollars.
College Springs-The Farquhar Savings Bank was organized in 1902. W. S. Farquhar is president ; J. Dee Loudon, cashier. The bank is capital- ized for twenty-five thousand dollars and the deposits amount to one hun- dred and ten thousand dollars.
PAGE COUNTY BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION.
This financial institution was organized June 15, 1897, by H. R. Spry, L. W. Lewis, J. E. Phillips, Charles Linderman, G. William Richardson, O. V. Hurdle, E. B. Westcott, W. B. Shoemaker, David Tharp and others. The directory was composed of H. R. Spry, L. W. Lewis, G. William Richardson, O. V. Hurdle, E. B. Westcott, W. P. Shoemaker and David Tharp, and the first officers were: President, H. R. Spry ; vice president, L. W. Lewis; secretary, J. E. Phillips ; and treasurer, Charles Linderman. The attributes of the association are purely mutual and the loans are made for building and like purposes. It is upon a sound financial basis and has been in favor with the people of Clarinda and vicinity ever since its incep- tion. The loans are limited to Page county. The company has from the start been very successful and its business is conducted on lines that seek to assist those needing such assistance in securing comfortable homes.
The following is the directory board for 1909: William Orr, H. R. Spry. G. William Richardson, Hugh Miller and Gerald D. Graff. Officers : president, E. B. Westcott; vice president, Norris H. Martin; secretary, C. E. Blair; treasurer, W. L. Pedersen.
FRATERNAL ORDERS AND SOCIETIES OF PAGE COUNTY.
NODAWAY LODGE, NO. 140, A. F. & A. M., CLARINDA. H. H. Scott.
On the 22d day of December, 1852, just two hundred and thirty years to the day after the landing of the Pilgrims, an act of the legislature of this state was approved by the governor, providing for the locating of the county seat of Page county, and fixing its name as Clarinda. In May, 1853, Clarinda was located, surveyed and plat filed. On the 14th day of April, 1854, lot 4, block 25, of the original plat, comprising a frontage of seventy feet. was sold by Page county to one Halsey, for eight dollars a quarter. The north forty-six feet of that lot is now occupied by the build- ing in which this lodge room is now contained.
Under date of July 15, 1858, a certificate was sent by Glenwood Lodge, No. 58, A. F. & A. M., of Glenwood, Iowa, to the grand lodge of this state, stating that on July 14, 1858, a special meeting of that lodge had
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been held for the purpose of examining the application for a dispensation to open a lodge at Clarinda, Page county, Iowa, and that one Jacob Simon- ton, selected by the petitioners for the proposed lodge, as its first worship- ful master, had appeared before them and that upon a full investigation they had resolved and did report favorably on the application for the dispensation.
This application on the part of Master Masons residing at Clarinda was signed by Jacob Simonton, Alvin H. East, Corydon Winkler, J. H. Conine, D. C. Ribble, Joseph Martin, J. H. Powers, John Pirkins, Cyrus Creal, C. W. Hendricks, Albert Heald and Joseph La Master, and dated July 15, 1858. On the 10th of August of the same year a dispensation was issued by the grand lodge of this state.
It is a mooted question where the first meeting of a Masonic lodge was held in Clarinda. In September, 1858, the firm of Kridelbaugh & Ribble was engaged in a somewhat limited way in the drug business in this town. The firm occupied a small, one and one-half story frame building and the ground covered by the south fraction of that building is now occupied by the north wall of the building in which the room we are now occupying tonight is contained. D. C. Ribble, of the firm, had signed the application for the dispensation. Dr. Kridelbaugh was an entered apprentice, having received that degree a year or two before at Glenwood. Jacob Simonton. Alvin H. East and Jacob Powers, as well as Kridelbaugh & Ribble, had immigrated from Indiana to Clarinda, and there can be no question but what the office and store of Dr. Kridelbaugh was the meeting place of the parties contemplating the institution of a lodge at this place. It is more than probable and according to tradition that the meetings preceding and possibly the first meeting under the dispensation were held in the upper room of the building mentioned. However, the lodge-room that was first recognized as the place of Masonic meetings, was in the second story of a frame building, erected and owned by James B. Chambers, that stood approximately on the ground now occupied by Boyer's barber shop and Dunham's harness shop, and owned by Herman Fessenmire, immediately north and adjoining the W. C. Brown block. The first story of the build- ing was occupied by Chambers as a carpenter shop and in the fall and winter of 1858-59, the upper room was occupied in the day time by the village school, taught by Miss Ann Alden-now the widow of C. W. Fos- ter-and at nights by this lodge.
In 1859 or 1860 the lower floor room was occupied by the Haskins as a store, and years later the building was moved to the west side of the square and was devoted to the business of dispensing that beverage which is presumed to be brewed from barley and hops.
On the evening of the 10th of September, 1858. under dispensation. the first lodge meeting was held with Jacob Simonton. W. M., Alvin H. East, S. W .. Corydon Winkler. J. W., and on that evening the following officers were appointed: Jacob H. Powers, treasurer ; C. W. Hendricks, secretary ; Cyrus Creal, senior deacon; David C. Ribble, junior deacon : John Pirkins, tyler ; J. H. Conine, steward.
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HIGH SCHOOL, SHENANDOAH
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At this meeting ten dollars was fixed as the institution fee and five dollars cach for the degree of Fellow Craft and Master Mason. There were no members present but the officers.
The next meeing was held on the 17th of September, 1858, with two visiting brothers, W. D. McDonald and W. G. Higley, both hailing from Oregon Lodge, No. 139, in Missouri, they being the first visitors. At this meeting Claiborne McBee made application to become a member of the lodge and at a meeting on the 22d of October, received the entered apprentice degree, being the first initiate of this lodge.
The next applicant for initiation was Lewis H. Wilder, who received his first degree on the evening of December 6. Thomas M. Bowen was cither the third or fourth applicant for admission to the lodge, on the date of November 19, 1858, and on the 17th of December received his first degree.
It is fit and proper at this time that some consideration and remem- brance should be given to the principal officers and members of the lodge as then existing. Jacob Simonton was born in Preble county, Ohio, July 19, 1810, and at the time of the institution of this lodge, was but little over forty-eight years of age, and was its Master for the first seven years of its existence and again in 1870-71, making eight years in all. In 1835 he moved to Wabash county, Indiana, remaining there until the spring of 1856, when he came to Clarinda. In this community he held various public offices for a number of years, and died here and was buried in Clarinda cemetery on the 29th of July, 1804. He was a man of fine personal appear- ance and would attract the attention of the stranger as he passed.
Dr. Alvin H. East was reared in Indiana. He had had the benefit of but two weeks of school education. At first he learned the carpenter's trade and worked at it for some years, in the meantime reading medicine during his spare moments. It is to be doubted whether as a student he was ever inside a medical college. He came to Page county in 1851 and made his home for a time near where Hawleyville is now located. After coming to Iowa, on account of the good health of its people and its limited population, he bestirred himself and got possession of some law books, and at Glenwood, in 1856 or 1857. he was admitted to the practice of law. Soon after he became county attorney of this county, and under some con- struction of the law at that time, he was also county judge, ex officio. This office he held until the law creating the office of county attorney was abolished and that of district attorney created in its place. Later he be- came a member of the law firm of John R. Morledge & Company, and of Morledge, East & Chittenden. Even while engaged in the practice of law he continued his calling as a physician and gained an enviable standing as such. However, as a surgeon he stood at the head of his profession in that day in this and adjoining counties. When the war came, he became assistant surgeon of the Fourth Iowa Infantry and lost an eye at the battle of Pea Ridge. Afterwards he became regimental surgeon of the Twenty- third Iowa Infantry. At the time of his death, September 19, 1872, he was engaged with Dr. Lewellen in the practice of medicine at Clarinda. Dr.
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