USA > Michigan > Van Buren County > A History of Van Buren County, Michigan: A Narrative Account of Its Historical Progress, Its. > Part 37
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"That spring Mr. Bowen was elected justice of the peace. He married one couple and took venison for pay. During the early part of that summer the youngsters thought they would have a little sport with a newly married couple, just across the way from our house, by giving them a little music, what would now be called a charivari. Accidentally a gun was fired into the crowd. The charge struck Jim Clark, passing through his lungs. It was six weeks before he could be removed to his home, but he eventually recovered from the wound.
"In 1851 Mr. Bowen bought a farm a little east of Paw Paw. We moved there in January of that year. All the next summer the children and I used to work days and nights until eleven or twelve o'clock, clearing up brush and the roots that were plowed up. In 1853 we had four children, two girls and two boys, and they were all taken sick with scarlet fever. My mother came down to stay with us one Wednesday night. She went home at noon and died before sundown. Our youngest daughter died on Tuesday evening following and our little boy the next Saturday. The other two were not expected to live, but by the mercy of the Heavenly Father they were spared and eventually became es- tablished in homes of their own. Mr. Bowen sold his place and we went east, but we returned to Michigan the following year and bought another place on which we made our home."
These reminiscences were written by Mrs. Bowen in 1902. She concluded them by saying: "I have been a widow over ten years and now am nearly eighty years old." But recently she passed into the "Great Beyond."
"GOOD TIMES" OF THE OLDEN DAY
These reminiscences might be multiplied indefinitely, but enough has been written to show the hardships that those hardy pioneers of this beautiful and fertile county had to bear; the trials and tribulations they had to undergo, that we who have suc- ceeded to the result of their labors might enjoy the fair heritage they left behind them. After all, it is likely that they enjoyed life equally as well as do their descendants. They knew nothing of many things that we think are indispensable, but, on the other hand, there were many things that contributed to their happiness that we, their successors, know nothing of except by hearsay.
We must not think that they or their children were without the means of enjoying themselves in those primitive days. Think of a load of fifteen or twenty young people piled into the box of a double sleigh, half filled with bright, clean straw, and drawn by a yoke of oxen, going for miles through the crisp winter air to a
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spelling school, or a debating school-the two were quite generally combined-and returning in the "wee sma hours" of the morning, making the forests ring with their merry shouts, laughter and songs. Be honest now, you grandfathers and grandmothers- wasn't it pure and unadulterated fun? And wouldn't you like to try it just once more before you shuffle off this mortal coil? I would.
And in the summer time there were parties and country dances at which we all gathered. We didn't have any orchestra, not even a violinist ; only just a fiddler; and how he could play "Money Musk" and the two or three other tunes that he knew! No writ- ten score for him. He didn't play "by note"-not he; his fiddle and his bow and a piece of "rosin" were all he needed, and he could and would play from early in the evening until daylight in the morning. And the way he could "call off" was simply de- lightful. We can hear him yet : "All join hands and circle to the left;" "right and left all;" "change partners;" "grand right and left," and so on throughout the quadrille-we called them cotillons-and every girl and boy was sorry when the end of the figure was reached and the call came "seat your partners;" and every one was ready for the floor for the next dance. And we did not dance on waxed floors in elegantly furnished ball rooms, but in private houses. It was no uncommon thing for a merry party of girls and boys to take possession, uninvited, and pull up the home-made carpets, if any such thing there happened to be, and proceed with the festivities.
And the boys were as much addicted to athletic games as are the youths of the present day. They could run races, wrestle- they called it rassling-play "pom-pom-pullaway," and ball ("one old cat" and "two old cat")-yes, and even base ball; but the latter was not the highly developed, scientific game of today. It was not played by "hired men," but by both youths and "grown- ups" for the pure enjoyment of the game, and it was "lots of fun."
Let no one think for a moment that the young people of those primitive days did not have as many "good times," as do the youths of the twentieth century. It is indeed a far cry from the ox sled to the automobile, from the log cabin to the stately man- sion, from the once-a-week mail to the daily free delivery, from the spelling-book to the Carnegie library, but none of these mod- ern luxuries of life-we have grown to call them necessities- were needed that life might be pleasant and enjoyable. But the times are changed, and we are changed with them.
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CHAPTER XV FINANCIAL AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS
FIRST NATIONAL BANK, PAW PAW-THE PAW PAW SAVINGS BANK- FIRST NATIONAL BANK, SOUTH HAVEN-THE CITIZENS STATE BANK, AND FIRST STATE BANK, SOUTH HAVEN-BANKS OF DECA- TUR-HARTFORD BANKS-WEST MICHIGAN SAVINGS BANK, BAN- GOR-THE PEOPLES BANK OF BLOOMINGDALE-AT GOBLEVILLE, COVERT, LAWRENCE AND LAWTON-SOUTH HAVEN LOAN AND TRUST COMPANY-VAN BUREN COUNTY FARMERS MUTUAL FIRE INSUR- ANCE COMPANY-TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE LINES.
There are fourteen institutions in Van Buren county that do a general banking business. Two of them are located in Paw Paw, two in South Haven, two in Decatur, two in Hartford, one in Covert, one in Lawrence, one in Lawton, one in Gobleville, one in Bloomingdale and one in Bangor. The combined paid-up capital of these institutions is upwards of $400,000, besides undivided profits and surplus amounting to about $250,000. The combined commercial and savings deposits in these fourteen banking insti- tutions amount to about $2,700,000.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK, PAW PAW
The first organized bank in the county was the First National of Paw Paw. The articles of association of this solid institution bear date March 30, 1865, and its charter, No. 1,521, was granted on the 11th day of the ensuing August. The bank was first opened for business on Monday morning, August 21, 1865. For about two years the First National was the only banking institution of any kind in the county, but for several years before there had been a private banking house in the town under the name of Stevens, Holton & Company, successors to Stevens, French & Company.
The First National was started with a paid-up capital of $50,000. Its first board of directors were Thomas L. Stevens, Thomas H. Stephenson, Alonzo Sherman, James Crane, Emory O. Briggs, Charles S. Maynard and Nathaniel M. Pugsley. The first officers were Alonzo Sherman, president; James Crane, vice-president ;
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Joe A. Hollon, cashier. In 1871 the capital of the bank was in- creased to $100,000. Edmund Smith was elected president in 1883 and was succeeded by Horace M. Olney in 1894. Emory O. Briggs was appointed cashier in 1867, followed by F. E. Stevens in 1874. E. F. Parks was appointed cashier in January, 1886. The vice presidents of the institution have been Emory O. Briggs, Gilbert J. Hudson, E. A. Park, Charles Bilsborrow, Nathaniel M. Pugs- ley, William R. Hawkins, Edward R. Annable and George M. Har- rison. The present officers are Horace M. Olney, president; Geo. M. Harrison, vice-president ; E. F. Parks, cashier; W. H. Longwell, assistant cashier.
The capital stock of the bank remains at the sum of $100,000, which is double that of any other bank in the county. It has at the present time deposits in the sum of $250,000.
This institution is not only the oldest, but it is one of the best and strongest banks in the county. In 1903, it erected a handsome block on Main street and had the ground floor fitted up especially for its headquarters, so that it occupies one of the finest, most convenient and modern suite of banking offices in the county. No expense was spared in order to safeguard the funds that might be intrusted to its custody.
THE PAW PAW SAVINGS BANK
The Paw Paw Savings Bank was organized in 1886. Its articles of association bear date on the 27th day of March of that year. Its charter was granted just one month later. Its capital stock was originally $35,000, but has since been increased to $40,000. Its doors were first opened for business on the 10th day of May, 1886. (By special request of the president of the bank, we here state that Capt. O. W. Rowland was the first depositor). The first board of directors were Daniel Lyle, John Lyle, F. W. Sellick, John W. Free, William Lyle, Edgar A. Crane, Edwin Martin, William J. Sellick and Jonathan J. Woodman. The first officers were F. W. Sellick, president; Edgar A. Crane, vice-president; John W. Free, cashier. The present officers are John W. Free, president ; W. R. Sellick, vice-president ; C. A. Wolfs, cashier; W. R. Sellick, Edwin A. Wildey, A. Lynn Free, Howard B. Allen, H. Y. Tarbell, Daniel Morrison and John W. Free, board of directors.
The gentlemen who have filled the office of president of the bank are : F. W. Sellick, William J. Sellick, Milton L. Decker and John W. Free; the vice presidents have been : Edgar A. Crane, J. J. Woodman and W. R. Sellick; cashiers, John W. Free, J. B. Shower- man and C. A. Wolfs.
The present financial condition of the bank is as follows: Cap-
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ital stock, $40,000; undivided profits and surplus, $10,000; de- posits, $285,000. This bank was organized under the state banking law and developel into one of the leading financial institutions of the county. It is located at the corner of Main and Kala- mazoo streets, the two principal streets in the town; occupies com- modious and convenient rooms for the transaction of its constantly increasing business, and has all the modern accessories for safe- guarding the funds entrusted to its care.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK, SOUTH HAVEN
The second bank to be organized in the county was the First National Bank of South Haven. Silas R. Boardman and Charles J. Monroe started a private bank in 1867 and the business trans- acted by them showing the necessity of a permanent organization, they joined with other citizens and organized the First National Bank. Judge Jay R. Monroe was the first man who signed the articles of association. Some of the other signers were Augustus Haven, of Bloomingdale; D. B. Allen, Dawson Pompey and the Packards, of Covert; Timothy McDowell and M. H. Bixby, of Casco; C. P. Ludwig, George Hannahs, Marshall Hale, George C. and H. W. Sweet of South Haven; and Henry E. Boardman of Rochester, New York. The bank had $50,000 capital, which was a large sum for those early days, but with the limited deposits, it was needed to carry on the business of the town. When the National charter expired, it was deemed best to reorganize under the general banking law of the state, on account of such organiza- tion offering a better opportunity for savings depositors and also permitting the loaning of moneys on real estate security. The capital of the bank remains at the same figure as when it was first started, though, on account of the large surplus and undivided profits, the actual working capital is about $125,000. The "Bank Register" for 1911 gives the following figures: Capital stock, $50,000; surplus and undivided profits, $75,000; deposits, $456,000.
Charles J. Monroe remains the active head of the bank. Volney Ross is the vice president and Charles F. Hunt is cashier. M. H. Bixby is still one of the board of directors and S. R. Boardman remains a customer of the bank, but has no active part in its man- agement. All others who were in the first list of directors have joined the great majority on the other side of the "River of Time." The institution has at the present time (January, 1912) over half a million of dollars on deposit, which is a good indication of the growth and prosperity of the section of Van Buren county that it serves, as well as a mark of the confidence of the people in the honor and integrity of those citizens who have built up this solid financial institution.
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CITIZENS STATE BANK, SOUTH HAVEN
One of the substantial banking institutions of the county-in fact, of this section of the state-and one which owes its satisfactory growth and success largely to the energies, good judgment and business standing of the men back of it, is the Citizens State Bank of South Haven.
Organized in the fall of 1892, the bank opened its doors to the public in January, 1893, and, with a capitalization of $50,000 and the confidence of the public as a primary asset, began its career. Today, with a record of nineteen years back of it, this bank has over a half million dollars assets, a surplus and undivided profits of $40,000, and is paying a semi-annual dividend of five per cent to stockholders, as well as the taxes. It numbers among its deposit- ors and business clientage many of the more prominent fruit growers and merchants of this section and occupying one of the handsomest bank buildings in the city, situated on a prominent corner of the down town district, is referred to with pride, not only by those directly interested in it in a financial way but citizens of South Haven and vicinity generally.
The personnel of the organizers, directors and officials is worthy of more than passing notice. G. N. Hale, head of the Hale & Company stores of South Haven, was the first president : C. J. Hempstead, vice president, and L. E. Parsons cashier. In 1897 Mr. Hale retired and W. S. Bradley was made president of the institution. The present officers are as follows: W. S. Bradley, president; R. T. Pierce, vice president; L. E. Parsons, cashier ; R. J. Madill, assistant cashier ; R. T. Pierce, L. A. Spencer, S. M. Trowbridge, O. M. Vaughn, C. W. Williams, L. E. Parsons, J. C. Merson, T. A. Bixby, W. S. Bradley, J. K. Barden and L. F. Otis, directors.
President W. S. Bradley is an excellent type of the New Eng- land "Yankee," of keen, sound business acumen, honesty of pur- pose and determination which go to spell success for any man. A native of Massachusetts, he served in the Civil war three years, and after being mustered out went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he engaged successfully in the leather, hides and rubber belting business, remaining in the Iowa town fifteen years. He then went to Chicago, where he opened offices and continued in the same line of business with continued success.
In 1884 Mr. Bradley came to South Haven and, purchasing a then barren tract of land near the city limits, proceeded to con- vert it by hard work and intelligent effort into a model fruit farm which today stands as a monument to his energy and good judg- ment. Mr. Bradley, when he assumed the presidency of the Citi-
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zens State Bank of which he was one of the first directors and organizers, brought to it the training which comes from an active and successful business life, a pleasing, honest personality and the business confidence which is the natural heritage of the man with continuity of purpose and "a square deal" as his motto. A good common school education, sound judgment and a perfect knowl- edge of business situations here and in the surrounding country combine to happily fit him for the important position as head of this banking institution.
W. S. BRADLEY
L. E. Parsons, cashier of the Citizens State Bank and one of its organizers, is well equipped for his position. Mr. Parsons "grew up in a bank" (to use the expression) and his knowledge of the details of the business comes from experience. He is a native of Union City, Michigan, and was identified with the Farmers' Na- tional Bank of that city from 1885 to 1892, when he came to South Haven, flatteringly introduced by the president of the Union City banking institution where he had been employed. He took an active part in the organization of the Citizens State Bank here and his energies and interests are united in the one object, viz: con- tinuing the Citizens State Bank in its present success and on its firm foundation of reliability and business confidence.
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In R. J. Madill, assistant cashier, Mr. Parsons has an able as- sistant and a man who devotes his time and attention to the duties which fall to him. Mr. Madill came to South Haven from Cree- more, Ontario, in 1883, and for thirteen years was employed as clerk in the John Mackey hardware store. He accepted a posi- tion as teller in the Citizens State Bank in 1896 and in 1908 was made assistant cashier. He has twice been elected city treasurer and is a thorough accountant and bookkeeper, his early education in Belleville Commercial college, Belleville, Ontario, and subsequent experience as a school teacher, giving him practical knowledge, which is a valuable asset in his present business occupation.
L. E. PARSONS
Two South Haven high school young men of more than ordinary ability, C. E. Dilley and Clell Krugler hold positions in the bank as bookkeepers. Mr. Dilley was born at Lacota, but has lived much of his life here and is a young man of clean character, excellent ability and energetic in the discharge of his duties.
The bank directors could not have been more happily chosen. In this, a fruit country, where large amounts of money are handled, naturally patrons of a bank are pleased that men of unquestioned knowledge of conditions be identified with it. In the directorate are prominent and influential fruit growers of this section, all men high in the confidence of their fellows and successful in their own business affairs.
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With nineteen years of marked success and a steadily increasing business as an indication of public confidence and satisfaction in the conduct of the bank and with the excellent personnel of of- ficers, directors and clerical force referred to, the future of the Citizens State Bank of South Haven seems in the hands of the right men.
The deposits in the two banks of South Haven (the Citizens and First State) are not far short of a million dollars, a fine showing for the banks as well as for the city which, according to the last Federal census, had a population of a little less than 4,000. Both of the South Haven banks are centrally located and have fine, con-
R. J. MADILL
venient quarters, fitted up with all the modern appliances for the safe keeping of the funds in their custody and for their protec- tion against loss either by fire or burglary.
BANKS OF DECATUR
Like the towns of Paw Paw and South Haven, the village of Decatur also has two strong, solid banking institutions-the first State and the Citizens. Previous to 1870, the only banking facil- ities possessed by the village were such as were afforded by the private banks of John Tarbell and Joseph Rogers. On the 15th day of October of that year the First National Bank of Decatur was
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chartered with a capital of $75,000, which was afterward reduced to $50,000. The first board of directors were Charles Duncombe, Charles W. Fisk, Alexander B. Copley, Levi B. Lawrence, E. Parker Hill. O. S. Abbott and A. S. Hathaway. Mr. Copley was chosen president and Mr. Hill cashier. This bank was afterward reorganized under the general banking law of Michigan and has since been a state institution. Its capital stock, at the present time, is $30,000. The "Bank Register" for 1911 places the surplus and undivided profits at $19,000 and the deposits at $262,000. The present officers are as follows: President, E. B. Copley ; vice president, Arthur W. Haydon; cashier, L. Dana Hill.
The Citizens, also organized under the state banking law, has a capital stock of $30,000. Its president is George T. Pomeroy ; vice president. James Dunnington ; cashier, F. C. Stapleton. From the same source as above given, we find the surplus and undivided profits of the institution to be $6,300, and the deposits amount to $153,000. Both banks are doing a flourishing and profitable busi- ness, are carefully and conservatively managed and are possessed of the confidence and enjoy the support of the business men of the town and surrounding country. Perhaps no town of its size in Michigan has better banking facilities.
HARTFORD BANKS
The village of Hartford also has two banking institutions-the Olney National and the Hartford Exchange banks, the latter be- ing a private institution which has been in operation for a con- siderable number of years. It was established by Hon. George W. Merriman. who has continued ever since as its manager. It was, until a little more than a year ago, the only bank in the town, has always transacted a large and profitable business and possesses the fullest confidence of the people.
The Olney National Bank was organized in 1910. and was first opened for business on the 27th day of September of that year. The first year's business proved to be very successful and satis- factory to its stockholders. The officers of the bank are as fol- lows: President. Horace M. Olney; vice president. Jacob Op- penheim ; cashier, .J. Ingalls. The board of directors consists of the following gentlemen : Jacob Oppenheim, M. C. Mortimer, E. R. Smith, O. M. Vaughan and Horace M. Olney. Mr. Olney is also president of the First National of Paw Paw. The paid up capital of the bank is $25.000. The deposits, as given in the "Bank Reg- ister" published last July, were the sum of $84,000. The institu- tion is located in what is called the Postoffice block, a new struct- ure erected by President Olney and finished in modern style,
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steam-heated, electric-lighted and with all the appliances and con- veniences of present-day business requirements. In the bank offices, especially, great pains was taken and no expense spared to make it an ideal place for conducting the business for which it was intended. No finer banking house can be found in the county.
WEST MICHIGAN SAVINGS BANK, BANGOR
The West Michigan Savings Bank, another of the solid, pros- perous financial institutions of the county, is located in the village of Bangor. The first banking institution in this place was estab- lished by E. M. Hipp in 1872 and managed by him for a couple of years, when it was purchased by Messrs. J. E. Sebring & Com- pany, who conducted its affairs for about three years, doing a pros- perous business. The bank then passed into the possession of N. S. Taylor, who retained Mr. Sebring as his cashier and general manager. The institution was afterward known as the Monroe Bank and was under the same general management as the First National of South Haven. The present bank, organized under the state law and known as "The West Michigan Savings Bank," was instituted on the 16th day of April, 1880, taking the place of the Monroe Bank, and commenced business on the first day of the succeeding July, with a capital stock of $20,000. The original trustees of the bank were C. J. Monroe, Alvin Chapman, Thompson A. Bixby, William Packard, Anson Goss, J. G. Miller, D. K. Charles, Stephen W. Duncombe and John Scott. The first officers were C. J. Monroe, president ; Alvin Chapman, vice president; A. B. Chase, treasurer. The present officers are J. E. Sebring, presi- dent; William Broadwell, vice president; J. E. Sebring, cashier. Mr. Sebring took charge of the bank in 1892. At that time the amount of deposits was in the neighborhood of $65,000, that figure fairly indicating the economic condition of the town and the country around.
At the present time the deposits are in excess of $400,000, which may be taken as a fair index to the financial progress of the com- munity during the past twenty years, as the radius of territory over which the bank extends its usefulness has not materially changed. This progress is but an earnest of what may reasonably be expected in the next twenty years, as capital and energy shall be expended in the development of the rich and fertile section of country in which the town is situated. The latest figures in the "Bank Register" place the capital of the bank at $25,000, with an undivided surplus of $8,000.
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THE PEOPLES BANK OF BLOOMINGDALE
The Peoples Bank of Bloomingdale is one of the prosperous pri- vate banks of the county, instituted and managed by Hon. Milan D. Wiggins. It has been in successful operation and has pos- sessed the confidence of the community where it is situated for a considerable number of years. Mr. Wiggins is its president and Ellis Simon its cashier. According to the "Register," it has a capital of $25,000, a surplus of the same amount and deposits of $150,000. As there is another bank in the same township, these figures point to a great degree of prosperity in the community tributary to the bank.
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