USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 16
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Under the then existing conditions, the period of "Wild-cat" bank- ing was in perfect harmony with the times. Public and private credit sank to the lowest ebb. The recovery was a slow and tedious process. There was some compensation however, in the fact that the General Government, the State legislatures, the private corporations, the banks and the public at large had each and all learned lessons not soon to be forgotten.
A NATIONAL CURRENCY
One of the incidents of the Civil War was the establishment of a National Currency. Congress not only provided for the currency, but it passed an act to secure such by a pledge of United States Stocks and to provide for its circulation and redemption. In the midst of financial stress, during the terrific conflict, Congress assumed to give corporate powers not to one bank, as had been done earlier in the century, but to many. Indeed, National Banks were established in every part of the country, sufficient to meet the demands of business.
Whatever constitutional questions were raised at the time or since, and with which we have here nothing to do, it still remains that the people have never had a currency of such universal acceptance, with- out question, anywhere in the United States. Since the resumption of specie payments, our National currency has been received at its face value over the counter of every banking establishment of repute on the globe. Confidence and stability in financial transactions everywhere attest the faith of the people in our banks and in the banking system. Occasionally through some local mismanagement or some betrayal of trust, banks fail and the people lose, but this is the fault of individuals and not of the system. Our banks, with rare exceptions, are safe places of deposit. Our bankers, as a rule, are upright and competent men, worthy of the confidence the people repose in them. The banks and bankers of Calhoun County are not an exception to the rule.
108
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
We append hereto a list of the banks now doing business in the County in the order of their founding, giving the National banks pre- cedence, with a statement of the condition of each as appears from the last published report.
OLD NATIONAL BANK OF BATTLE CREEK
The old National Bank of Battle Creek, successor to the private bank of Loyal C. Kellogg, started in July, 1851, was organized under the Na- tional bank act in June, 1865, application for a permit having been made on the preceding 28th of March. At a meeting of the stockholders, the following were elected Directors : David Miller, William Andrus, Thomas Hart, Loyal C. Kellog, Henry D. Hall, William Wallace, and William Brooks, who chose Loyal C. Kellog, President; Thomas Hart, Vice- President; Charles M. Leon, Cashier; William Andrus, Secretary of Board of Directors.
We submit herewith the first Statement of the Condition of the "Old National" as published in the Battle Creek Journal, October 2, 1865. This is believed to be the first public Statement of Condition to be made by any bank in Calhoun County.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BATTLE CREEK
Statement of condition October 2, 1865 :-
Notes and Bills Discounted
$ 17,721.16
Overdrafts
3,057.43
Banking House
$8,000.00
Furniture and Fixtures
2,084.13
Expenses
841.20
10,925,33
Premiums
1,834.29
Remittances and other Cash Items.
1,846.04
Due from National Banks.
28,281.72
Dne from other Banks and Bankers
23,719.53
U. S. Bonds Deposited to Secure Circulation
45,000.00
U. S. 7-30 Treasury Notes.
3,950.00
Circulating Notes of other National Banks.
2,145.00
Circulating Notes of State Banks
63.00
Specie
119.54
Legal tender $5,015.00
U. S. 6 per cent Notes 5,180.00
Fractional Currency 372.84
U. S. Internal Revenue Stamps
281.00
10,848.84
$149,511.88
Contra
Capital Stock paid in.
.$80,000.00
Circulating Notes 30,000.00
Due Other Banks
62.23
109
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
Exchange
$ 123.38
Interest
505.21
Deposits
38,821.06
$149,511.88
Present Offieers and Directors of the Old National Bank (1912) :- Directors : Edwin C. Nichols, President, Pres. Nichols & Shepard Co .; Charles Austin, Vice-President; Charles E. Kolb, Pres. Union Steam Pump Co .; S. J. Titus, Titus & Hicks; Lew B. Anderson, Treas. Ad. Pump & Comp. Co .; A. B. Williams, Attorney-at-Law; C. C. Beach, Treas. Nichols & Shepard Co .; John Heyser, Supt. Union Steam Pump Co .; H. J. Smith, Vice-President ; L. J. Karcher, Cashier.
Statement of condition at elose of business, September 4, 1912:
Resources
Loans and Discounts.
$2,374,370.58
U. S. and other Bonds. 1,349,457.62
Seenrities .
20,492.47
Cash and Due from other Banks.
581,627.64
$4,325,948.31
Liabilities
Capital Stock
$ 200,000.00
Surplus and Profits
143,159.08
Circulating Notes .
200,000.00
U. S. Government Deposits
4,037.28
Other Deposits
3,778,751.95
$4,325,948.31
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF MARSHALL
was organized August 5, 1865, with Charles T. Gorham as President. The following is a list of the officers and directors of this bank on this, the 7th day of October, 1912: Charles E. Gorham, President; Frank A. Stuart, Vice-President; Charles H. Billings, Cashier; Glenn E. Grant, Assistant Cashier. Directors: Charles E. Gorham, Samuel F. Dobbins, Charles H. Billings, George W. Leedle, Charles E. Gauss, James L. Dobbins, Frank A. Stuart.
Report of condition at the close of business. September 4, 1912 :-
Resources
Loans and Discounts .
$307,270.51
Overdrafts, secured and unsecured 4,627.17
U. S. Bonds to secure circulation 100,000.00
110
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
Other Bonds to secure postal savings ... $10,000.00 . $10,000.00
Bonds, Securities, etc 408,074.44
Banking house, furniture and fixtures. 13,000.00
Due from National Banks (not reserve agents) 3,050.00
Dne from State and Private Banks and Bankers, Trust Companies and Savings Banks 5,153.36
Due from approved reserve agents
86,148.26
Checks and other Cash Items.
3,169.00
Notes of other National Banks.
1,385.00
Fractional Paper Currency, nickels and cents.
130.05
Lawful money reserve in bank, viz:
Specie
$46,045.50
Legal Tender Notes 500.00
46,545.50
Redemption fund with U. S. Treasurer (5 per cent
of circulation)
5,000.00
$993,553.29
Liabilities
Capital Stock paid in
$100,000.00
Surplus fund . 25,000.00
Undivided profits, less expenses and taxes paid 43,454.27
National Bank Notes outstanding
100,000.00
Individual Deposits subject to check 628,301.38
Demand Certificates of Deposit
95,599.14
Postal Savings Deposits .
1,198.50
$993,553.29
THE CENTRAL NATIONAL BANK OF BATTLE CREEK
This bank commenced business with a capital stock of $200,000.00, on the 21st day of November, 1903. The following is a list of its present officers and directors with the exception of Mr. L. W. Robinson, who died August 21, 1912: Edward C. Hinman, President; Frank Wolfe, Vice- President ; Carroll L. Post, Vice-President; Howard B. Sherman, Vice- President ; Frank G. Evans, Cashier; William W. Smith, Assistant Cashier ; E. D. Albertson, Assistant Cashier; David Miller, Auditor.
Directors: C. W. Post, Chairman Postum Cereal Co., Ltd .; Edward C. Hinman, Pres. American Steam Pump Co .; H. B. Sherman, Pres. H. B. Sherman Mfg. Co .: L. W. Robinson, Dry Goods Merchant; Carroll L. Post, Vice-Chairman Postum Cereal Co., Ltd .; H. P. Stewart, Attorney, of Stewart & Sabin; Leopold Werstein, Vice-Pres. American Steam Pump Co .; G. L. Gilkey, Capitalist, Kalamazoo; Frank Wolf, Vice- President ; Frank G. Evans, Cashier.
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
Condensed report, September 4, 1912 :-
Resources
Loans and Bonds
$3,881,991.06
Banking House, Furniture and Fixtures.
19,785.25
Cash and Due from Banks
633,843.55
U. S. Treasury Account
15,000.00
$4,550,619.86
Liabilities
Capital
$ 300,000.00
Surplus and Profits
164,916.83
Circulating Notes
300,000.00
Deposits
3,785,703.03
$4,550,619.86
THE CITY BANK OF BATTLE CREEK
This bank was organized in 1871 with a capital stock of $50,000.00. The original incorporators were: Richmond Kingman, Alonzo Noble, Benjamin F. Graves, Victory P. Collier, John F. Moulton, Nelson Eldred, Elijah W. Pendill, Clement Wakelee, Henry J. Champion and Roldon P. Kingman.
The following constitute its Board of Directors in 1912: F. A. All- wardt, H. F. Bechman, S. B. Cole, L. A. Dudley, Charles C. Green, N. E. Hubbard, Frank J. Kellogg, M. Maas, George W. Mecham and E. R. Morton.
Officers: Charles C. Green, President; E. R. Morton, Vice-President and Cashier; F. A. Allwardt, Second Vice-President ; N. E. Hubbard, Third Vice-President ; N. Y. Green, Assistant Cashier.
Condensed statement at the close of business, September 4, 1912 :-
Resources
Loans and Mortgages
$1,468,963.05
Overdrafts .
604.24
Real Estate, Furniture and Fixtures.
35,044.30
Items in Transit .
203.69
Cash on Hand and in Banks
400,205.70
$1,905,020.98
Liabilities
Capital
$ 100,000.00
Surplus, Undivided Profits .
37,620.73
Deposits 1,767,400.25
$1,905,020.98
112
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
MERCHANTS SAVINGS BANK OF BATTLE CREEK
was incorporated March 28, 1895, with a capital stock of $50,000.00.
The first officers of the bank were: Frank Turner, President; A. M. Minty, Vice-President; Scott Field, Cashier. The directors were: A. M. Minty, Frank Turner, P. Hoffmaster, I. Amberg and Scott Field.
The following is a list of the officers and directors at the present time: A. M. Minty, President; Frank Turner, Vice-President; H. A. Rowles, Cashier. Directors : A. M. Minty, Frank Turner, A. O. Jones, R. F. Hoffmaster, F. H. Boos, M. Lafever, H. A. Rowles.
The last statement of the condition of the bank shows a capital stock of $50,000.00 and a surplus of $55,000.00, as follows :
Condensed report of condition at the close of business, September 4, 1912 :-
Resources
Loans and Mortgages $1,316,945.97
Cash on Hand and in Banks. 283,162.23
Banking House, Furniture and Fixtures. 27,325.00
$1,627,433.20
Liabilities
Capital Stock
$ 50,000.00
Surplus and Undivided Profits
55,823.49
Deposits
1,521,609.71
$1,627,433.20
THE COMMERCIAL AND SAVINGS BANK OF ALBION
This bank was organized on the 30th day of September, 1893, with a capital stock of $35,000.00. Its present, 1912, officers and directors are as follows : Homer C. Blair, President ; W. C. Marsh, Vice-President ; Charles G. Bigelow, Cashier; Charles S. Loud, Assistant Cashier.
Directors: Samuel Dickie, Washington Gardner, Homer C. Blair, Edward R. Loud, L. J. Wolcott, W. C. Marsh, Benjamin D. Brown, Charles G. Bigelow. There is one vacancy.
The following report shows the condition of this bank on the 4th day of September, 1912:
Report of condition at the close of business, September 4, 1912 :--
Resources
Loans and Discounts, viz :
Commercial Department $177,078.46
Savings Department 20,350.00 $197,428.46
113
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
Bonds, Mortgages and Securities, viz :
Commercial Department $ 12,000.00
Savings Department 171,121.27 $183,121.27
Premium Account
$ 600.00
Overdrafts
1,426.70
Banking House
5,400.00
Furniture and Fixtures
2,150.00
Other Real Estate
3,210.00
Items in transit
9,216.03
Reserve
Commercial
Savings
Dne from banks in
reserve cities
$ 9,982.05
$22,536.55
Exchanges for clearing
house .
2,933.35
U. S. and National
bank currency
8,100.00
11,000.00
Gold Coin .
230.00
Silver Coin
2,744.35
268.00
Nickels and cents
498.63
27
$24,488.38
$33,804.82
58,293.20
Checks and other Cash Items
157.92
$461,003.58
Liabilities
Capital Stock paid in
$ 35,000.00
Surplus Fund .
16,000.00
Undivided Profits, net .
5,550.61
Commercial deposits subject to check. . $143,798.51
Commercial Certificates of Deposit .. 32,878.37
State Monies on Deposit.
2,500.00
Savings Deposits (book accts.)
225,276.09
404,452.97
$461,003.58
THE ALBION STATE BANK
was organized March 29, 1895, with a capital stock of $50,000.00. Its present officers and directors are: Eugene P. Robertson, President ; W. S. Kessler, Vice-President ; Seth Hyney, Cashier; T. N. Brockway, Assistant Cashier.
Directors: O. A. Leonard, S. Y. Hill, W. H. Rodenbach, G. W. Schneider, George T. Bullen, D. M. McAnliffe, W. S. Kessler, D. A. Garfield, Eugene P. Robertson.
Vol. 1-8
114
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
Report of condition at the close of business, September 4, 1912 :-
Resources
Loans and Discounts, viz :
Commercial Department
$160,863.08
Savings Department .
26,200.00
Bonds, Mortgages and Securities, viz:
Commercial Department . 20,000.00
Savings Department
170,886.35
Premium Account
402.50
Overdrafts .
3,795.88
Furniture and Fixtures
1,500.00
Items in transit
1,081.29
Reserve
Commercial
Savings
Due from banks in reserve
cities
$15,582.64 $16,597.08
Exchanges for
clearing house .
3,398.29
U. S. and National
Bank Currency
6,307.00
6,000.00
Gold Coin
910.00
9,000.00
Silver coin
2,174.05
Nickels and cents
185.73
28,557.71
$31,597.08
$ 60,154.79
$444,883.89
Liabilities
Capital Stock paid in
$ 50,000.00
Surplus Fund
10,000.00
Undivided Profits net
13,855.42
Dividends Unpaid
50.00
Commercial deposits subject to check $101,197.59
Commercial Certificates of Deposit .. 41,353.80
Savings Deposits (book accts.)
228,427.08
370,978.47
$444,883.89
THE FIRST STATE BANK OF TEKONSHA
This bank was established as a private bank in 1877, by Allen & Johnson, and incorporated as a State Bank, March 20, 1902, under the name of First State Bank.
115
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
The following is a list of the present officers and directors: E. P. Keep, President; R. E .Waldo, Vice-President ; B. G. Doolittle, Cashier; F. D. Rice, Assistant Cashier.
Directors : E. P. Keep, R. E. Waldo, H. N. Randall, E. W. Randall, Ed. Dean, James Proctor, B. G. Doolittle.
Report of the condition at the close of business, Sept. 4, 1912.
Resources
Loans and Discounts, viz :
Commercial Department $ 84,769.31
Bonds Mortgages and Securities, viz :
Commercial Department 8,806.75
Savings Department
31,839.02
$125,415.08
Overdrafts
2.30
Other Real Estate
2,500.00
Due from other Banks and Bankers.
1,000.00
Reserve
Commercial Savings
Due from Banks in
reserve cities
.$19,596.01
$4,000.00
Exchange for clearing house
463.73
U. S. and National
Bank Currency
5,876.00
1,000.00
Gold Coin
270.00
1,000.00
Silver Coin
1,057.85
167.00
Nickels and cents
81.85
.96
$27,345.44
$6,167.96
$33,513.40
Checks and other Cash Items
138.82
$162,569.60
Liablities
Capital stock paid in
$30,000.00
Surplus Fund
4,250.00
Undivided Profits, net
909.77
Commercial Deposits subject to check. . $36,969.82
Commercial Certificates of Deposit 52,433.03
Savings Deposit, (book accts) 20,670.74
Savings Certificates of Deposit
17,336.24 127,409.83
$162,596.60
116
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
ATHENS STATE BANK
In January, 1911, the Farmers State Bank and the Athens State and Savings Bank, both of the village of Athens, merged their interests, since which time the consolidated bank has been doing business as the Athens State Bank. At the present time, October, 1912, its capital is $30,000.00, and surplus $6,000.00, with total assets over $160,000.00.
Officers: Frank G. Woodruff, President; George W. Brokaw, Vice- President ; Frank E. Estes, Cashier.
Directors: Abram L. Wood, John A. Stanton, Frauk G. Woodruff, George W. Brokaw, Fred A. Bower, F. E. Estes, Earle D. Albertson, Lauren T. Morris, Frank Wolf, S. W. Lehr.
CHAPTER IX
HISTORY OF ALBION COLLEGE #
ALBION COLLEGE (BY DELOS FALL)-(I) ITS EARLY HISTORY-(II) ITS EARLY HISTORY CONTINUED-(III) EARLY HISTORY, THIRD PERIOD- (IV) THE PAST THIRTY-FIVE YEARS-IDEAL CHARACTER OF THE COLLEGE-(V) PRODUCTS.
By Delos Fall
(I.)-Its Early History.
The Year Book of Albion College has kept the following or a similar paragraph at the head of its general statement for a good many years, an emphatic reminder to all Methodists of a most important and far reaching fact : "In the year 1833, certain prominent residents of the territory of Michigan, Rev. Henry Colelazer, Rev. Elijah H. Pilcher and Benjamin H. Packard, M. D., resolved to inaugurate a movement for the establishment of an academy of higher learning in Michigan."
This sentence of thirty words does not in itself seem to carry great significance, but to the thoughtful reader, to one who habitually reads be- tween the lines, there can be seen the great and enduring monument of these three men, a monument higher and grander than could possibly by suggested by costly marble or granite erected in some city of the dead. In this monument are involved all the good influences exerted by Albion College through all its history of now nearly seventy years. It contains the fruitage of all the lives that have been educated here, all the incen- tives for higher and more forceful living which have entered into the activities of all who have in any way been connected with the institution, founders, trustees, agents, faculty, patrons, parents, students, the church and the state. This thought cannot be further elaborated, but let the reader spend a moment of reflection concerning the weighty content of the statement.
This monument is an enduring one; it can never be destroyed and will remain through all the coming years. The key to this suggestion is found in the word "resolved:" "these men resolved to inaugurate a movement." Back of the resolution was an inspiration. Whence the inspiration ? The answer is plain. These Christian men were inspired of God to thus plan to supply the church with the necessary factor of education without which it would be impotent to fulfill its great mission.
* We are gratified to present a somewhat extended sketch of Albion College, the only institution of collegiate grade in the County. The character and extent of work done in the past, its present condition and its possibilities in the future justify space given. Prof. Delos Fall, author of the article, is well qualified to prepare it. For more than a third of century, he has held an important chair in the Faculty of
117
118
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
Furthermore, let no one insinuate that Albion College will ever do anything but make persistent and constant progress to an ever increasing sphere of influence. The college can not retrograde, it can not stand still for the reason that in the original instance it was divinely inspired.
Resolutions were submitted by these men to the Ohio annual con- ference, which body then had jurisdiction over this territory. The sub- . ject was favorably considered, and a committee was appointed to further the project. An act of incorporation was obtained from the legislative branch of the territorial government, dated March 23, 1835, by which a school under the name "Spring Arbor Seminary" was located in the village of Spring Arbor, Jackson County, on the site of an old Indian village.
PROF. DELOS FALL
For sometime nothing further was done. No buildings were ever erected at this place and the school was never opened; the conditions were discouraging and some of its friends were ready to abandon the enterprise. It should be remembered, however, that this was before Michigan became a state, before the appointment of the first state super- intendent of public intruction and before there was any formal organiza- tion of a school system. It must be considered that all movements having as their end the building up of the kingdom of God on the earth proceed slowly and especially in the time of their initial history.
In spite of a common tradition to the contrary, Methodism has always attached very great importance to education and has ever been in the van of progress in the establishment of schools of learning. Born in a college, she could not do otherwise.
the Institution and he is thoroughly familiar, not ouly with its history, but its spirit and aims. He has known personally, nearly all the instructors and others of whom he makes mention. Besides being an erudite scholar, successful teacher and writer
119
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
In the meantime the young and growing village of Albion, through some of its most enterprising citizens, made a proposition for the removal of the school to that place. This received the endorsement of the Michigan annual conference, which had been formed by division of the Ohio conference, and the state legislature, in 1839, amended the charter, giving it the corporate name of Wesleyan Seminary, making the proposed change of location, and reconstructing the board of trustees.
In the autumn of 1839, Rev. Loring Grant, who had been a prominent minister in western New York, was appointed agent and entered upon the difficult task of raising funds for the erection of a seminary building. A system of scholarships was adopted which gave the holder four years' tuition in the school on payment of one hundred dollars. This gave money for the building but nothing for payment of salaries of teachers.
The corner-stone of the first building was laid in June 1841, which was completed in time for the opening of the school in November, 1843. It was a plain structure 50x100 feet and four stories high, made of brick and stuccoed to represent stone. Rev. Charles F. Stockwell, A. M., a graduate of Middletown university, was appointed principal, who, with an earnest corps of teachers, entered upon the work of instruction. Stu- dents in large numbers flocked to the school and much educational enthusiasm was awakened in the church. The patronage was not con- fined to the Methodist church, but was general. During this period several young men prepared for college who subsequently reached places of high distinction.
It is not a difficult task to read and interpret the underlying thought of these founders of Albion. They saw that such a school would inevit- ably become the center and nucleus for the production of denominational enthusiasm; here would be gathered into a focus the influence of the church, and here could be gained the interest and power to render efficient aid in extending church enterprises. It is the glory of Albion College that it has always strongly supported missionary and evangelistic movements.
At the same time, while it insisted that fundamental and essential Christianity was a vital factor in higher education, and that there must be free opportunity for Christian culture in the life of the college stu- dent, it never could be said that the college was open to the charge of sectarianism in any sense.
Albion was and remains earnestly and aggressively Christian, but not narrow or sectarian. Its government and spirit are religious but it imposes no sectarian tests. It was founded by the church; it is under the control of the church; the majority of the board of trustees are ap- pointed by the Detroit and Michigan conferences; the trustees are re- quired to make an annual report to these conferences of the condition, needs and work of the institution; the conferences appoint visitors to the college who are required to report to the appointing bodies the re- sult of their inspection.
Albion is a school of liberal arts and not a theologieal school. The Bible is studied in the Hebrew, the Greek and the English, but there are no theological tests and no religious exactions beyond regular attendance
of repute, he has been a man of affairs among men. He was long a member of the City Board of Education; alderman in the City Council; twelve years a member of the State Board of Health; four years State Superintendent of Public Instruction,
120
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
upon chapel exercises each school day and at church on the Sabbath, giving the students their choice of place of worship.
Albion is not a theological school, and yet every graduating class contains a considerable number of young men who have heard the call and have consecrated themselves to the work of the ministry. This course on their part is in exact harmony with the advice of the bishops who say that as between a full four years' college course and a shortened college course supplemented by one in a theological school, the former is very much to be preferred.
In addition to those who are preparing for the regular ministry there is maintained a students' volunteer missionary band consisting of a large number of young men and women who are preparing themselves for the foreign missionary work.
Thus it is true to-day, as in the past, that a very large number of the pulpits in Michigan are filled by men who have been trained in Al- bion College, and thereby is demonstrated the fact that the school is
CHAPEL
the strong right arm of the church, making its influence felt in every charge and placing every member of the Methodist church under un- deniable obligations to aid in giving it adequate support.
(II.)-Its Early History Continued.
A second period in the development of the school at Albion began in 1849 when by an act of the legislature the charter was amended creating a female college under the corporate name of "Wesleyan Seminary and Female Collegiate Institute," and authorizing the school to confer de- grees only upon women. This action was somewhat anomalous, and re- versed the traditional method employed, which almost universally con- sisted in providing for the higher education of young men, leaving the young women out of the account. In other words, co-education, the education of both sexes in one institution, has come into existence through long discussion with old prejudices and theories of education. In the present case the boys might be members of the college classes, but they could not graduate with a degree.
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