History of Hamilton County Indiana, her people, industries and institutions, Part 28

Author: John F. Haines
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1051

USA > Indiana > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County Indiana, her people, industries and institutions > Part 28

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The Hamilton County Corn Club and Girls' Bread Baking Club are at present under the direction of the Farmers' Institute. These clubs have done much good toward keeping boys and girls interested in the farm and home life and toward the growing of more and better corn.

THE NOBLESVILLE HORSE SHOW.

The horse shows of the various towns of Hamilton county have taken the place of the old county fairs which were once so popular. The name "Horse Show" is rather misleading in a way. While possibly the main fea- ture of this show is the fine horses and elegant turnouts, this is but one item of many upon exhibit. The Noblesville Horse Show held its first exhibit four days of the first week in October, 1911, and has held one each year

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since at the same date. This show consists of exhibits of horses and turnouts of various kinds upon which premiums are awarded for the first, second and third best in each particular line. The popular program consists of parades of autos, elegant turnouts, fancy floats of the various merchants' wares, ridiculous turnouts, and the horses upon exhibit. A balloon ascension each day is another popular feature. In a room provided for that purpose are exhibited fancy work of all kinds; domestic science products, cakes, pies, jellies, breads, etc., together with all sorts of farm, garden and orchard products upon which premiums are given, the local merchants donating most of the funds with which to finance the show. The last two years the grand stand receipts were quite good, which helped greatly. The officers for the year 1914 were: Clem Stanford, president; Carl Metsker, secretary, and Charles Wheeler, treasurer. Similar shows have been held at Carmel, Sheridan, Cicero, Arcadia and Atlanta.

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CHAPTER XVIII.

BANKS AND BANKING.

AN INTERESTING REVIEW OF HAMILTON COUNTY'S FINANCIAL STATUS.

In Hamilton county, banking was not among the business interests that required the attention of the early settlers and it was not until 1871 that a bank was established. This was a private concern conducted by William M. Locke and George H. Bonebrake, who failed to make a success as bankers here and a re-organization took place, resulting in the establishment of the Citizens Bank of Noblesville, as known today, which has run ever since in a satisfactory manner.

Before the days of banking here the county treasurer and others who had large amounts of money on hand at certain times during the year were compelled to take the train to Indianapolis to deposit their money. Some- times the banks in the capital city would keep a side door open till late in the evening to accommodate such customers after the arrival of late evening trains.

Upon the organization of the Citizens Bank in Noblesville, the first man to deposit money and open an account in the town of Noblesville, as well as the first in all Hamilton county, was the then postmaster, John Alden, a Civil War soldier who is still residing in Noblesville, a one armed veteran. It is told of this gentleman that he went to this bank and, not being used to bank- ing business, after he had deposited his cash there and received a deposit slip, went outside and re-read the paper, whereupon it occurred to him that he was taking great chances to have only such a small piece of paper to show for the government's money that he had deposited. He consequently turned around to re-enter the bank and take his money out again, but a second thought caused him to accept the chances and hence he became the first bank depositor in Hamilton county. It also is related of Veteran Alden that from that day to this he has always had an open account, more or less of a balance to his credit, in this institution, which, it properly may be said in passing, has proved to be a safe and solid financial concern during all these years since 1877.

With the flight of years, there have been a few bank failures in this

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county-two recently-but none in which any vast sum was lost to the de- positors.

THE FIRST BANK.

The Citizen's Bank of Noblesville was organized January 25, 1871, by William M. Locke and George H. Bonebrake. It was a bank of discount and deposit under the banking laws of the state of Indiana. The business man- agement was under the direction of William M. Locke, president, George H. Bonebrake, cashier, and William E. Dunn, teller, until September, 1877, when Mr. Dunn resigned, and Elbert Shirts was appointed teller. The bank was located on the southeast corner of Conner and Catherine streets, on lot four in block fourteen, of the original plat of Noblesville. In 1880 the report of this banking house showed that it had liabilities and resources amounting to $241,240.29; cash capital, $60,000; deposits, about $177,000; available capital December 2, 1879, $100,000.

The charter for the present bank was granted in 1877, since which date the bank continued to do a legitimate and general banking business. It has suffered no loss by fire, flood or robbery. In 1877 it bought and built its own bank building, at a cost of $12,000. Its present capital is $100,000; surplus, $30,000 ; deposits, $400,000. Its present-1915-officers are: W. E. Dunn, president ; H. L. Craig, vice-president; E. S. Baker, cashier ; O. G. Patterson, assistant cashier.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

The First National Bank of Noblesville, was organized in 1893 with twenty-nine stockholders. The original officers were: Marion Aldred, president ; George M. Snyder, vice-president; George S. Christian, cashier. The capital at first was $50,000, but this has been increased to $125,000. The officers in the winter of 1914-15 are: M. C. Haworth, president; J. F. Haines, vice-president ; T. E. Kane, second vice-president; N. W. Cowgill, cashier ; W. W. Bray, assistant cashier. A handsome stone building was erected on the corner of Ninth and Logan streets in 1909. It is one of the finest bank buildings in this portion of Indiana. The bank was chartered by the United States government in 1893, and has been re-chartered. The bank is run in accordance with strictly modern banking and safe financial methods and has always had the confidence of the citizens of Hamilton county. Its present (January, 1915), surplus is $40,000. Its deposits at this date amount to $175,000.

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AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK.

The American National Bank of Noblesville, was organized in 1910 by George S. Christian, Marion Aldred, W. E. Longley, J. W. Smith, George Craycroft, M. L. White and John C. Craig. Its first officers were: W. E. Longley, president ; J. W. Smith, vice-president ; George S. Christian, cashier ; C. E. Johns, assistant cashier. The capital at the start was $50,000, same as today, and the original officers are still serving. The bank received its charter from the United States government in 1910. While this is a new banking house in the county, it already has won the confidence of the business men and farmers, the men at its head and its fair dealing toward its patrons proving strong recommendations. A statement issued in August, 1914, showed resources and liabilities of $410,772.90. The surplus earned in the four years of its history is $7,000. It now has deposits amounting to more than $300,000. Its motto is "Safety First." The comparative growth of this institution is shown by the subjoined table :

Deposits.

Resources.

August 1, 1910

$ 49,806

$112,706

August 1, 1911

190,896

294,352

August 1, 1912

217,323

323,486

August 1, 1913

261,100

369,608

August 1, 1914

302,022.87

411,799.93

WAINWRIGHT TRUST COMPANY.

The Wainwright Trust Company, of Noblesville, was organized in 1901, with stockholders as follows, all living within Hamilton county, and most all residing in Noblesville: J. G. Heylman, J. W. Smith, J. C. Craig, E. N. Hare. W. H. White, C. C. Curtis, Leonard Wild, G. C. Richwine, Dr. J. A. Axline. R. S. Truitt, A. W. Truitt, W. R. Fertig, W. E. Longley, L. N. Joseph, George S. Christian, W. E. Dunn. Its first as well as present officers are: A. J. Brown, president ; J. W. Smith, vice-president ; J. C. Jones, secre- tary. The first and present capital was $50,000. Its surplus now is $25,000, and its deposits amount to $494,000.

Its statement, in part, on December 31, 1914, showed the following: Total resources, $683,503.84; loans and discounts, $539,277.77.

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THE HAMILTON TRUST COMPANY.

The Hamilton Trust Company was organized in 1905, with George Bowen as president ; John Jessup, vice-president ; Elmer Sturdevant, secretary. Until the present month, January, 1915, this institution transacted an appar- ently successful business, but at that time the affairs of the company became entangled and were thrown into the care of the state auditor, its doors being closed pending an investigation. It is published by the officers that they will be able to pay out and intend to re-organize. The company first carried on business on the south side of the square, but subsequently they united with the First National Bank in the erection of the handsome new bank block at the northeast corner of the square. The officers at this time are: President, Elmer Sturdevant; vice-president, John Jessup; secretary, A. H. Bowen.

AMERICAN STATE BANK OF SHERIDAN.

The American State Bank of Sheridan was organized June 17, 1914, by the election of the following officers: John H. Cox, president; John M. Haughey, vice-president; Claudius H. Goff, cashier. The first and present capital was $40,000, and the same officers are still serving. The present surplus amounts to $4,000; deposits, $75,000. This bank conducts a general banking business, and has resources amounting to $106,000. It does business in a leased building and is steadily growing under its excellent financial management.

UNION LOAN AND TRUST.

The Union Loan and Trust Company of Sheridan was organized in April, 1903, by the following gentlemen: John H. Cox, president; Frank Kassbaum, secretary. The officers today are: George W. Young, president ; A. M. Padgett, vice-president; A. M. Stephenson, secretary. The original capital was $25,000, which has been increased to $30,000; surplus, $2,000; deposits, $24,000. The company purchased a building in 1914 at an expense of $3,000 and is now in a flourishing condition.

FIRST NATIONAL OF SHERIDAN.

The First National Bank of Sheridan was organized in 1886 by John H. Cox, who was elected president of the institution. The original capital was $10,000, but it has been increased to $60,000. In 1900 a fine brick bank-

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ing house was erected at a cost of $7,000. The present officers are: George H. Palmer, president; C. B. Jones, vice-president; W. J. Eberwine, cashier; Marion Moore, assistant cashier; J. A. Branson, assistant cashier; C. E. Elliott, secretary.

This bank succeeded the State Bank of Sheridan in 1900. It now has $60,000 capital; $40,000 surplus and deposits amounting to $375,000. The men connected with this concern are regarded locally as a guarantee that all banking transactions intrusted to their care will be conducted in a safe and business like manner.

FARMERS' NATIONAL OF SHERIDAN.

The Farmers' National Bank of Sheridan was organized June 2, 1902, by a substantial list of stockholders. The first officers were: John C. Newby, president ; Ed. Thistlewaite, vice-president; T. L. Harris, cashier ; J. E. Kercheval, assistant cashier. The original capital was $30,000, which has been increased to $60,000. The Farmers' National owns a bank build- ing erected in 1904 at a cost of $8,000. It succeeded the old Thistlewaite private banking house and its only loss has been by reason of a fire on May 3, 1913, which did small damage. The present deposits are $375,000; sur- plus, $40,000.

The September, 1914, statement of the Farmers' National Bank of Sheridan showed resources amounting to $550,320.36, with liabilities to balance this amount. This institution makes a specialty of pleasing and aid- ing its farmer stockholders, as will be seen by the following notice attached to its 1914 statement : "Our Big Corn Contest-especially for the boys. All corn must be delivered not later than December 1, 1914. Best ten ears, $15; second best ten ears, $10; third best ears, $7; fourth best ten ears, $6; fifth best ten ears, $4; seventh best ten ears, $2.00; one dollar each for the next best three ears, and five dollars for the best single ear of corn-come in and sign a contract."

PEOPLES STATE BANK OF ARCADIA.

The Peoples State Bank of Arcadia was organized in 1909 with a capital of $25,000; its surplus is now $1,000. It has deposits amounting to $125,000. It owns its own building and transacts a general commercial banking busi- ness. The charter of this concern was granted June, 1909. Its officers are obliging and painstaking, hence are securing their share of the banking busi- ness in that locality.

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STATE BANK OF WESTFIELD.

The State Bank of Westfield was organized in 1884 and obtained its new charter in 1904. It was organized by Lewis A. Estes, R. Estes, Abel Doan, Ellin Conklin, S. M. Smith, M. E. Cox and others. The first officers were : L. A. Estes, president ; Abel Doan, vice-president; R. Estes, cashier. The officers for 1915 are : Abel Doan, president; William H. Conklin, vice-presi- dent; Morris E. Cox, cashier; Fred Pike, assistant cashier. The first capital was $25,000, the same as it is today ; surplus is $6,500; deposits are $90,000. In 1899 they erected a brick and stone banking building. The first bank was in the old Union block which burned in September, 1898. December 23, 19II, the safe was blown open by burglars. but the loss was fully insured. This bank was No. 21 in Indiana under the state banking system, and is the second oldest bank in Hamilton county.

FISHERS NATIONAL BANK.

The Fishers National Bank at Fishers, this county, was organized July 5, 1913, by Leland D. Cox. The first and present capital is $25,000; surplus, $1,500; deposits, $57,360. It occupies its own building, a two story brick with basement and a fire-proof vault, erected in the autumn of 1913 at a cost of $8,000. This banking house enjoys the patronage of the largest territory of any single bank in this county, and the farming section it serves is not equalled in the state for fertility. The first officers of this concern still are serving as follows: Dr. S. P. Scherer, president; Dr. J. P. Heath, vice- president ; J. B. Manship, second vice-president ; Leland D. Cox, cashier ; Roy E. Castetter, assistant cashier. Roy H. Perry is present bookkeeper.

CARMEL'S BANKING BUSINESS.

The banking business at the town of Carmel, according to a statement made to the author by Forest Michner, has had the following history : Car- mel's bank was founded July 1, 1901. At first the capital was limited to $5,000. It was opened as a private institution by Allen Myers, who was its president, Charles F. Myers being its cashier and Lillie Myers bookkeeper. This bank was located just to the south of the W. A. Kinzie's store, where stood the old Masonic building. September 6, 1901, there was an attempt to rob this bank. The combination of the safe was hammered off, the lever

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broken and nitro-glycerine inserted in the opening. This attempt failed, as the charge fired outwardly and did not open the safe. The identity of the robbers never was known, but the attempted burglary was supposed to be the work of "local talent."

In June, 1905, the bank took new quarters-its present place-and re- organized under a new ownership, the owners being Allen Myers, Charles F. Myers, Horace W. Perisho and J. M. Perisho. The cashier then was Charles F. Myers and the bookkeeper was Horace W. Perisho at the time the capital was increased to $12,000.

In May, 1907, the bank again was re-organized, this time as a State bank, with a capital of $25,000. The present capital is $25,000; surplus, $3,200. The officers in 1915 are: Allen Myers, president; Charles F. Myers, cashier ; Chester Bailey, bookkeeper, assisted by Franklin Myers.

BANKING AT CICERO.

At Cicero, banking has not been very prosperous of late years. The first attempt was the private bank of W. H. Roney, which operated about five years and failed about November, 1897. The directors lost heavily in that failure.

The last banking venture, that of the Merchants and Farmers Bank, started out well, and continued successfully for a number of years, but was compelled to suspend in January, 1915.

THE FIRST BANK AT ARCADIA.

At Arcadia the first attempt to engage in the banking business was made in 1892 by the opening of a private bank by Jesse Devaney and John Huston with a capital of $10,000. This bank was styled the "Citizens Bank," and went through many changes in owners and managers, finally being sold to A. H. Bowen, George Bowen, E. M. Hinshaw, and J. L. Hinshaw, who changed its name to the Peoples Bank of Arcadia. In 1909 the institution was re-organized into a state bank with a capital of $25,000. Since then the Bowens have both retired and it is owned by the three Hinshaws. The busi- ness is transacted under the discount and deposit banking law and is under supervision of the auditor of state. One of its late statements shows re- sources and deposits amounting to $183,959.84.

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FIRST NATIONAL OF ARCADIA.

The First National Bank of Arcadia was organized July 8, 1909, by the following gentlemen : Elmer E. Myers, Robert M. House, Jesse Devaney, John H. Cox, James H. Hill, Oliver T. Hill, David C. Hobbs, Daniel Brewer, Elias Smeltzer.

The first officers were: Elmer E. Myers, president; Jesse Devaney, first vice-president ; Robert M. House, second vice-president; Peter D. Waltz, cashier ; Leland D. Cox, assistant cashier. The original capital was $25,000. same as is carried today. The capital and surplus at the beginning of 1915 was $2,670; deposits, $142,000. The bank was chartered with permission to open for business July 22, 1909. It owns a corner room on the ground floor of the Knights of Pythias block, a brick structure erected in 1904, and the value of the banking equipment is $4,000. The officers in January, 1915, were as follows: Elmer E. Myers, president; Robert M. House, vice-presi- dent; James H. Hill, second vice-president; Peter D. Waltz, cashier; O. T. Hill, assistant cashier ; C. W. Guy, bookkeeper. The October, 1914, state- ment, issued to the public, shows the amount of resources and liabilities to have been $203,520.50. At that date the deposits were $151,642.00. This concern is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, opened for business November 16, 1914.

BANK CLOSED ITS DOORS.

At Cicero the Farmers and Merchants Bank was founded early in the nineties, and had been considered a reliable institution until January 20, 1915, when its doors were closed for state inspection. This bank started with a capital of $25,000, and was reorganized a year or two since, when R. H. Metcalf, of Kentucky, was elected president, he having purchased the interest held by Ed Hinshaw. Among well known directors were Elias Noble, Fred Tescher, Vincent Case and O. R. Russell. The court appointed John C. Craig receiver, under bond of $150,000.

THE BANK OF ATLANTA.

The Bank of Atlanta was organized February 2, 1900, by A. G. Walton and E. S. Walton, with a capital of $10,000. The present officers are: A. G. Walton, president : E. S. Walton, cashier, the capital remaining the same as

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when the bank was organized. The undivided profits are $2,723.78; deposits, $130,000. This bank owns its own banking building, but this building is not put in as a part of the assets. The bank was duly chartered June 5, 1905, and does a general banking business. Its proprietors have been successful and conduct a safe banking business, in which the people of the surrounding community have faith and confidence.

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CHAPTER XIX.

RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

. METHODISM.

From the pen of R. S. Truitt we are enabled to present many excellent points concerning early Methodism in Hamilton county, and more especially in Noblesville. On account of the loss of many church records, with the pass- ing of so many decades in the church life of this denomination, the best that can be done in this work is to quote freely from Mr. Truitt's "Pioneers in Methodism," published last January, then add what has been furnished the author by other friends of the church, bringing the history of the various Methodist churches of this county down to date as closely as possible.

The first Quarterly Conference in the county was held at Wise's school house December 27, 1828, and comprised those churches within the territory known as the Fall Creek Circuit, whose boundaries took in parts of both Madison and Hamilton counties, extending north to the Indian Reservation now in Tipton and Howard counties. The early official members were : Allen Wiley, presiding elder; Charles Bonner, circuit preacher; Jeremiah S. Williams, local preacher ; Stephen Martes and Thomas M. Pendleton, ex- horters ; Charles McCarty, James Vest, William Bell, class leaders. The rec- ords show that the total quarterly receipts for that quarter amounted to but nine dollars and ninety-three cents. The total amount received for support of the ministry the first year was sixty-eight dollars. The preacher in charge in 1831 received one hundred fifteen dollars and twenty cents. In 1835 the name of the charge was changed from Fall Creek to Pendleton Circuit. The first Quarterly Conference in the Noblesville Circuit was held December 12, 1835. James Havens was presiding elder and J. C. Harbin circuit preacher. In October of 1853 Noblesville held its first Quarterly Conference. John Hall was presiding elder and L. W. Munson, local preacher.

Many of the records of the church at Noblesville long since have been lost or destroyed, so that only here and there can one get a glimpse of the doings of the early years of the church here. Financial troubles were exper- ienced in these good old golden days of the county, even as in later decades.

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For example, one finds a record of July 17, 1847, in which it is stated that the Noblesville church was in a precarious financial condition. Upon the pre- sentation of this report it was "moved and carried" that an effort be made immediately to pay for the meeting house. On June 15, 1850, the parsonage committee, John Pontius and William H. Guy, reported the house "in good order, eighteen dollars in debt, well fenced, but with enough money sub- scribed to pay the indebtedness in full."

As to church buildings in Noblesville, let it be stated that from the best evidence, mostly traditional, however, that can now be obtained, a log church was built on the site of the present church edifice. It is certain that the society has had three brick edifices, including that in use today. The January, 1852, church record shows that the church passed a resolution "that we build a meeting house and that another lot be purchased on which to build said house." The lot then desired could not be secured and it was agreed to build on the old church lot, which plan was carried out. At about that date a contract was entered into with Alfred D. Davidson to erect the new church for the sum of one thousand nineteen dollars and ten cents. This refers to the second brick church building. Just when a parsonage was pro- vided cannot be learned, but one entry shows that a smoke house was built at the parsonage in 1854,the same costing the sum of one hundred two dollars and sixty-nine cents.

The present church edifice, a beautiful brick structure, modern in every particular, was erected in 1891 and the church property is now estimated to be worth twenty-five thousand dollars. The present membership is about seven hundred enrolled. Rev. F. A. Hall receives a salary of one thousand eight hundred fifty dollars. The Sunday school has a membership of about six hundred.

CHURCH FOR COLORED METHODISTS.

The African Methodist Episcopal church of Noblesville was organized in March, 1862, by Mr. Indicutt, a local preacher from Indianapolis, at the old school house, three and one-half miles north of Noblesville, with thirteen charter members. Rev. Indicutt remained in charge of his flock three years and was followed by Elders Langford, Brown and Depaugh. Camp meetings frequently were held in the nearby woods. In 1868 the society removed to Noblesville and on a lot that had been given them, bought for one hundred twenty-five dollars in Gray's addition, Elder Harper erected a church build- ing, which was first occupied in 1871. This was a one-story frame structure,

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History of Hamilton County Indiana, her people, industries and institutions, Part 28

Author: John F. Haines Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1051

Author: John F. Haines
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1051