USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 31
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The rise of modern banking, however,
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
dates from the establishment in Venice of the Banco di Rialto in 1587. In 1619 this great bank was absorbed by the Banco del Giro. So strong did this latter bank become that it was relied upon as the main support of the govern- ment, and we have a record that it loaned the government of Venice 500,000 ducats at one time. So well were its affairs managed that for 100 years or more this Bank of Venice, as it was called, was enabled to hold all its cred- its at a premium, until 1805, when its affairs were liquidated under a decree of Napoleon.
In Amsterdam and Hamburg there were great banks established in the same century as the Banco del Giro in Venice and they were of great importance in the up-building of these great cities among the commercial affairs of the world. By excessive loans to the Dutch East India Company, the Bank of Amster- dam was obliged to close its doors in 1819 by a royal decree.
In the 18th century, the two characteris- tics of modern banking-the issue of notes not covered by coin, and the granting of deposit accounts upon the mere credit of borrowers- were evolved, and this forms a part of the banking system of today. In China, bank notes, such as are known to the modern bank- ing system in America, were more or less fa- miliar for 12 centuries, but in Europe the use of bank notes dates only from 1661, when the Bank of Sweden issued notes to avoid the transfer of copper coin. The world is more or less familiar with the Bank of England, es- tablished at the close of the 17th century. This great banking institution, perhaps the greatest in the world, was established by a Scotchman. and more than once has it saved not only the credit, but the real life of England. It is famil- iarly known as "the old lady of Thread Needle Street." The Bank of Scotland was not es- tablished until shortly after the Bank of Eng-
land, but it received privileges from the Eng- lish government, similar to those possessed by the Bank of England.
In America, the words "Wall Street" carry with them a financial significance, recognized in every corner of the world. It was formerly said that "when the old lady of Thread Needle Street took snuff, Wall Street sneezed." This is not true at the present time. Wall Street stands alone, and the money interests of the United States are on a par with the greatest nations of the world.
No civilized country can make advance- ment without a bank. When conservatively managed, it is a blessing not only to its imme- diate community, but to the world at large, and in Fairfield County it may safely be said that the financial interests are well managed, and of liberal, patriotic usefulness, when needed for the advancement of the county. No disastrous failures have marked the progress of banking in Fairfield County. True, there have been ripples upon the surface, but the great tide of increasing wealth and the blessings of prosperity have in no way been checked or turned aside by bad financial man- agement.
The following accounts of the banks of Lan- caster and of the building and loan associations will be of interest to every citizen of the county.
BANKS IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY
The Fairfield National Bank of Lancaster .- The history of The Fairfield National Bank of Lancaster dates back to 1873. In this year a private bank was organized and operated as The Commercial Bank; this institution had its location on West Main Street in the property then owned by Rev. Williard. In the year 1874 The Commercial Bank was sold to The Fairfield County Bank, and under this firm
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name a successful banking business was con- ducted for eighteen years in the Whiley Block, at 114 West Main Street. During this period the business of The Fairfield County Bank en- joyed a prosperous and natural growth, and it became evident that larger and more commod- ious quarters were necessary. In view of the urgent necessity of a home better suited to the increasing requirements of its business, The Fairfield County Bank purchased a lot directly across from its old quarters on Main Street and erected thereon a modern brick building which was fitted up for new quarters for the bank.
In December of the year 1892 The Fairfield County Bank moved across the street to its new quarters and continued business as a private institution through 1904. On the first day of January, 1905, the private bank, which had been operated for the past thirty years under the name of The Fairfield County Bank, received a charter from the U. S. government to do business as a National Bank ; and on that day, January 1, 1905, The Fairfield National Bank of Lancaster ( No. 7.517) took over the business of The Fairfield County Bank.
The Fairfield National Bank of Lancaster began business with a paid up capital of $100,- 000.00. The officers of the institution were (in 1905) Philip Rising, president; H. B. Peters, Ist vice president, Geo. W. Beck, 2nd vice president, and Geo. P. Rising, cashier. By conservative and progressive business methods, the sphere of The Fairfield National Bank of Lancaster has broadened, until the de- posits have reached three quarters of a million dollars, and total assets almost one million dollars. The constantly increasing business of this institution has again brought the officers of the bank face to face with the necessity of seeking enlarged and more commodious quar- ters. It is the present expectation (1912) to
erect a modern fire proof banking house on a location recently acquired in the center of Lan- caster's commercial district. The proposed building will be for the exclusive use of the bank, modern in every detail, and so arranged as to allow ample room for the increasing growth of the bank.
The officers of The Fairfield National Bank of Lancaster are (in 1912): H. B. Peters, president; Geo. P. Rising, vice president ; P. R. Peters, cashier; H. K. Beck, assistant cashier. The board of directors consists of the above officers and Edward DeLancy and John Thimmes.
The Lancaster National Bank operates under a Federal charter of date September 30, 1910, has a paid up capital of $100,000 and a surplus earned of $12,000 and aggregate resources of over half million dollars all of which have been acquired in the short time of two years. The officers are : Fred L. Mauger, president : O. L. Ballinger, active vice president ; and J. L. Gra- ham, cashier.
The directors are: Fred L. Mauger. G. M. Hickel, C. S. Hutchinson, G. A. Graham, L. G. Silbaugh, J. B. Matingly, Al Martens, and O. L. Ballinger.
The shareholders are all Fairfield County citizens of the most substantial business men and farmers. The growth has been phenome- nal, the earnings sufficient to pay the share- holders a cash dividend at the end of second year.
The Farmers and Citizens Bank of Lan- caster, is located at No. 114 W. Main street. E. C. Wiley is the cashier of this institution.
The Hocking Valley National Bank, of Lan- caster, O., whose place of business is located at No. 148 W. Main street, Lancaster, has a cap- ital of $60,000.00 : surplus, $60,000.00. This bank was organized in 1847 as the Hocking Valley Bank. It was nationalized in 1865.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
Ed. Mithoff is president, George Mithoff, caslı- ier, and T. E. Mithoff, assistant cashier. The directors are: Ed. Mithoff, T. E. Mithoff, George Mithoff, W. K. Martin, C. W. Mc- Cleery, A. J. Kesinger and W. E. Thimmes.
The Farmers and Merchants Bank Company of Amanda was organized in 1904 with a cap- ital stock of $25,000.00. The promoters of this bank were J. J. Stevenson of the firm of Stevenson & Vercoe of Columbus, P. L. Schneider, cashier of the National Bank of Commerce, Columbus, Ohio, and S. H. Simon and others of Amanda, Ohio. The present officers and directors are as follows: T. H. Griffith, president; S. H. Simon, vice pres- ident; P. L. Schneider, treasurer; Clyde A. Barr, secretary and cashier ; Charles R. Lewis, assistant cashier; Isaac Riegle, Geo. W. Blue, C. W. Griffith, A. H. Shaeffer. Since the organization of this bank there has been a steady growth in deposits. At the present time they are $160,000.00. On January Ist of this year the bank moved into new quarters, and it has a well-equipped, and modern banking room, second to none in the county.
The First National Bank of Baltimore, Ohio .- A. Hansbarger, president; I. N. Carnes, vice president ; C. M. Wagner, cash- ier; J. W. Fenstermaker, assistant cashier. This bank was organized under the National Banking laws in the year 1905 with paid up capital of $25,000. Its doors were open to the public for business April 1, 1905, with the fol- lowing officers and directors : A. Hansbarger, president ; I. N. Carnes, vice president ; C. M. Wagner, cashier; John Bright, T. D. Ketner. E. B. Wagner. Due to the growing business in the year 1908, the directorate was increased to seven in number, electing WV. C. Hansbarger and J. R. Johnson, and employing J. W. Fen- stermaker, son of James Fenstermaker as as- sistant cashier. The bank is a strong financial
factor in the community, the capital stock be- ing owned by some of the most influential peo- ple in the community. The following com- pose the present board of directors and offi- cers : A. Hansbarger, president ; I. N. Carnes, vice president; E. B. Wagner, J. R. Johnson, T. D. Ketner, W. C. Hansbarger, John Bright, C. M. Wagner, cashier; J. W. Fenstermaker, assistant cashier.
The Bank of Basil was established July 15, 1895, as a partnership or private bank, by Samuel Rickly, Ralph R. Rickly, John E. Martin, George W. Bright and J. S. Morton, all of Columbus, O., with the following offi- cers : Ralph R. Rickly, president; George W. Bright, vice president; and William H. Leit- naker of Basil, O., cashier. This enterprise was launched as an experiment and at that time was the only bank in Fairfield County outside of Lancaster. Notwithstanding the frequent comments and prophecies that no bank outside of the cities, could get enough business to remain open long. The Bank of Basil proved the fallacy of that argument by making a steady growth until when a few years later. the deposits of this bank reached more than one quarter of a million dollars.
About this time the adjoining towns seeing the success of this venture, organized banks also, which absorbed some of the territory formerly enjoyed by The Bank of Basil. However this senior institution still holds a good share of the public confidence, as well as that of business transactions reaching well into the territory now claimed by adjoining banks, as is shown by their recent statement.
Loans
$120,000.00
Cash and due from Banks
80,000.00
Deposits
175,000.00
Surplus
10,000.00
YKIN
RUSIIVILLE BANK, RUSHVILLE
U. B. CHURCH, PICKERINGTON
M. E. CHURCH, PICKERINGTON
MAIN STREET, LOOKING EAST, PICKERINGTON
HIGH SCHOOL, PICKERINGTON
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The following are the present board of offi- cers : Ralph R. Rickly, president; George W. Bright, vice president ; William H. Leitnaker, cashier ; Clyde C. Leitnaker, assistant cashier.
The Millersport Bank Co .- This enterprise was chartered as a state bank in 1907 and be- gan business November 27, 1907. The capi- tal stock subscribed was $25,000. The present officers are as follows: A. W. Peters, presi- dent; W. E. Zollinger, vice president; H. A. House, cashier. The directors are: A. W. Peters, W. E. Zollinger, J. A. Brison, H. C. Brison, Thomas Smith, Charles Decker and C. A. Bright.
The First National Bank of Bremen, Ohio, was organized July 14, 1910, with a capital stock of $25,000.00; surplus, $7,000.00. There are 80 stockholders and the total resources are $185,000.00. The directors are H. E. Young, L. H. Kennedy, David Garrison, Lincoln Olive, Joseph E. Johnston, F. B. Stemen, E. B. Mccullough. Officers: H. E. Young, presi- dent; L. H. Kennedy, vice president; A. D. Hufford, cashier; E. A. Hufford, assistant cashier. This bank, although the youngest in the county, is making a rapid and permanent growth. Its officers are competent and en- ergetic, and its patrons loyal.
It has the distinction of having one of the best, if not the best banking room in the county. The things contributing to make it so are a large, beautiful lighted room, with en- trance from business streets at each end, bank fixtures all in cherry and mahogany, cozy wait- ing-rooms for both ladies and gentlemen, with toilet-rooms attached ; a closed cage for paying and receiving teller, and just such conveniences as one would find in a city bank. The vault is perfectly fire-proof and houses the customers' safety deposit boxes, and "the strongest safe in the world"-the famous Ely-Norris Manga- nese Steel Safe.
The Bremen Bank Company was organized in 1897 was incorporated March 1, 1906, with a capital stock of $25,000. The officers are Howard M. Shelhamer, president ; James J. Welch, vice president; George E. Turner, cashier ; George J. Frash and George W. Bald- win, assistant cashiers. The directors are Jacob B. Turner, Isaac Klingler, John Schmelt- zer, William C. McCandlish, Howard M. Shel- hamer, J. Frank Thompson, Albert F. Turner and D. F. Householder.
The Farmers and Merchants Bank, of Car- roll, O., does a general banking business. The officers of this institution are L. T. Martin, president and C. E. Kistler, cashier.
The Pickerington Bank was organized in 1909 and commenced business January 3, 1910, with a capital stock of $25,000.00. The officers are: A. M. Whims, president; B. S. Hempy, vice president; H. S. Taylor, treas- urer; W. B. Taylor, secretary; James G. Kraner, cashier. The directors are A. M. Whims, B. S. Hempy, H. S. Taylor, W. B. Taylor, S. R. Milnor, John Huntwork, John Derr, Clark Ashton and James G. Kraner.
The Pleasantville Bank, of Pleasantville, O., is capitalized at $25,000.00. It is a state bank, having the following officers: Arthur Kinsel, president ; Dr. A. V. Lerch, vice president ; E. C. Sawyer, cashier; Stanley M. Patterson, as- sistant cashier.
The Rushville Banking Company, of Ruslı- ville, O., commenced business September 8, 1908. It has a capital stock of $25,000.00. The officers are Silas B. Neeley, president ; John Jay Shaw, vice president; J. W. Lewis, secretary ; WV. M. Phillips, treasurer ; Fred B. Lewis, cashier. The directors are Silas B. Neeley, John Jay Shaw, J. W. Lewis, W. M. Phillips, Fred Ruff, L. C. Wagner and W. M. Kerr.
The Farmers and Citizens Bank of Stouts-
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
ville enjoys the patronage and confidence of the people. Its president is E. V. Barr, and cashier, W. A. Myers.
The Bank of Sugar Grove, a substantial in- stitution with a strong board of directors, is doing an excellent business. John R. Bowen is the efficient cashier. The bank has a capital of $10,000.00; deposits, $54,000.00 ; surplus, $800.00. The board of directors is as follows : H. M. Anderson, Lancaster, O., superintend- ent Logan Natural Gas & Fuel Company ; James L. Martin, Logan, O., ex-auditor of Hocking County; H. Holland, of Sugar Grove, O., superintendent Northwestern Ohio Natural Gas Company, vice president ; James N. Grimm, Sugar Grove, O .; R. O. Wagstaff, Sugar Grove, O .; Dr. T. R. Mason, Columbus, O., physician; John R. Bowen, Columbus, O. cashier.
"BANK NOTES."
O., Bank in 1817, and served during its exist- ence of twenty-five years.
M. A. Daugherty was five years cashier of the Hocking Valley Bank. William Slade was cashier of the Hocking Valley Bank in 1848.
The Banking firm of Martin & Ewing was established in 1854.
The Exchange Bank did a profitable busi- ness until 1864, when it was merged into the First National Bank, with Mr. Martin, presi- dent. In 1886 Mr. Martin sold his interest to S. J. Wright.
In 1873 Spencer J. Wright became a part- ner in the Commercial Bank with J. H. Coch- rane, from Cambridge, Ohio. Mr. Cochrane previously conducted the bank on his own account. Cochrane returned to Cambridge and Wright continued until September, 1874, when the institution was merged into the Fair- field County Bank, with Wesley Peters, presi- dent, S. J. Wright, cashier. The latter sub- sequently resigned and organized the Lan-
John Creed was president of the Lancaster, caster Bank and was president two years.
CHAPTER XI
BENCH AND BAR.
The Majesty of the Law-Justice Gray-Wendell Phillips and Rufus Choate-Lawyers of "Ye Olden Times"-Their Fun and Their Work-The Giants of the Lancaster Bar-None Greater-Sketches of Lawyers and Judges, a Long List of Highly Educated and Brilliant Men, Past and Present-Fairfield County Juvenile Court.
THE MAJESTY OF THE LAW
The law has long been regarded as one of the learned professions. To fully understand and follow its intricate channels, explain its obscure provisions, and maintain its majesty, all the learning and integrity of the best men of the ages are required. Only when the high- est scholarship is coupled with integrity and energy, do we see the ideal lawyer.
Every principle of civilized life, and there- fore of progress, is based upon the maj- esty of the law. The majesty of the law can only be maintained by the integrity of judge and jury, and the faithfulness of the advocate. Honesty is no more a jewel in any profession than in the law. The widow's mite and the vast estate of the millionaire, the re- ward of virtue and the punishment of vice. alike depend upon honesty in the execution of the law. Well has the blind goddess of justice been chosen as her symbol.
The reply of Justice Gray, of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, to the young lawyer is significant : The young attorney had won the case of his poor client in his home courts. and won it upon its merit. The case was ap-
pealed to the Supreme Court of the State, and when the young lawyer arrived upon the scene he learned that the opposition, with wealth at their command, had employed no less distin- guished talent than Hon. Benjamin F. Butler. The young man asked a postponement until his client could get equally as strong counsel.
Justice Gray replied : "Young man, go on with your case. If you have justice on your side, you and I can beat all the lawyers in Massachusetts."
Human liberty depends upon the main- tenance of law, and he who seeks to degrade the law seeks to endanger life, liberty and hap- piness.
Wendell Phillips, the world's most eloquent advocate of human rights, and defender of the majesty of law, thus blasts the reputation of Rufus Choate, in his great fraternity lecture on "Idols," delivered in Boston, October 4. 1859:
"Suppose we stood in that lofty temple of jurisprudence, on either side of us the statutes of the great lawyers of every age and clime. and let us see what part New England-Puri- tan, educated, free New England-would bear in the pageant. Rome points to a colossal
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figure and says, 'That is Papinian, who, when the Emperor Caracalla murdered his own brother, and ordered the lawyer to defend the deed, went cheerfully to death rather than sully his lips with the atrocious plea; and that is Ulpian, who, aiding his prince to put the army below the law, was inassacred at the foot of a weak, but virtuous throne.'
"And France stretches forth her grateful hands crying, 'That is D'Aguesseau, worthy, when he went to face an enraged king, of the farewell his wife addressed him-"Go! forget that you have a wife and children to ruin, and remember .only that you have France to save." '
"England says, 'That is Coke, who flung the laurels of eighty years in the face of the first Stuart, in defense of the people. This is Selden, on every book of whose library you saw written the motto of which he lived wor- thy, "Before everything, Liberty!" That is Mansfield, silver-tongued, who proclaimed,
"Slaves cannot breathe in England; if their lungs
Receive our air, that moment they are free."
" 'This is Romilly, who spent his life trying to make law synonymous with justice, and suc- ceeded in making life and property safer in every city of the empire. And that is Erskine, whose eloquence, spite of Lord Eldon and George III., made it safe to speak and to print.' "Then New England shouts, 'This is Choate, who made it safe to murder; and of whose health thieves asked before they began to steal.' "
In the early days of the administration of justice, there was not such a rush of business that pleasure was entirely crowded out. Most of the legal lights of those days had some ac- complishments, in addition to their silver- tongued eloquence at the bar, and the hours
when out of court were whiled away with "quip and quirk and wanton wile."
THE FAMOUS LANCASTER BAR
It is not always found in the annals of a city, that its greatest prominence comes from the legal profession. This is pre-eminently the case, however, in regard to Lancaster. Her Bench and Bar attracted national comment, and her leaders were often called to practice in the courts of other states, particularly in New York. Hon. Henry Stanberty won a noted case in New York City, and then, because of the treatment he had received at the hands of his opponents, he brought suit for damages against them and won his case, single handed and alone. When a young lawyer he was ap- pointed to defend a man who was accused of stealing a horse. He wished to hold a con- versation with his client before the case began, and was given permission to take him to the rear of the building, there being no private room. He asked if he had stolen the horse, and the man replied that he expected they would prove it on him. Young Stanberty asked him how long it would take him to run to the woods, about 300 yards distant. The fellow thought he could do it in about one minute. "Try it" said Stanberry, and then re- turning to the court room alone was asked by the Court "Where's your client?" "I've cleared him," said Stanberty.
As attorney-general for the United States he was strong and alert. His masterful logic, power and eloquence and intense earnestness made him a most successful officer. Perhaps his greatest efforts and most marked success were seen in his remarkable defense of Presi- dent Johnson during his impeachment trial.
The elder and younger Brasee, the elder and younger Ewing and Charles D. Martin were
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the peers of any lawyers in America, while Hocking H. Hunter, William Irwin, Sherman and Beecher held the standard high in those early days.
The elder Ewing was a giant in physical as well as mental power. Many interesting in- cidents are related of his great strength, and good will in its use. While engaged in chop- ping wood, when a mere youth, an itinerant Methodist preacher came along. Recent rains had swollen the stream which must be crossed. The preacher was afraid to risk it. Mr. Ewing placed the man upon his shoulders, led the horse by the bridle and landed them safely on the other side of the stream.
On another occasion after he had been ad- mitted to the bar, on passing the court house, he found a group of men testing their strength by trying to throw an ax over the building. They could not accomplish the feat. Mr. Ewing stopped long enough to take the ax handle in his hand and to send it far above the steeple-then he walked on to attend to his business. His distinguished son, Gen. Thomas Ewing, was for many years a leading lawyer in New York City, and was president of the noted "Ohio Society of New York" for three years-1886 to 1889. He was one of the founders of that society.
John S. Brasee and Charles D. Martin had a wide practice outside of Lancaster, and many appointive offices were open to them-most of which they declined.
But as more extensive sketches of these and other great lives are given elsewhere in this volume, space forbids further reference here.
The following classification as to time of prominence will aid the memory :
First Generation .- Philomen Beecher. Will- iam Irwin and Charles R. Sherman.
Second Generation .- Thomas Ewing,
Henry Stanberry, Hocking H. Hunter and John T. Brasee.
Third Generation .- John Scofield Brasee and Charles D. Martin.
These great names have made famous their day and generation. But they were not alone. There were a large number of brilliant younger men who were active in the practice at the same time and in the years that followed. The Lancaster Bar today is almost equally noted, and her Bench has an enviable reputation for justice and power. We have divided the list into two parts-those who have filled their mission and have been called to report to the Great Judge of all, and the Bar of today.
John M. Wright was the only son of Silas H. and Katherine M. Wright. He was born in Logan, Ohio, March 13, 1860. When he was fourteen years of age, Judge Wright's family moved to Lancaster. John, or "Jack" as he was called, attended our public schools, afterwards entering the Fairfield Academy at Pleasantville, Ohio, where in 1880, he gradu- ated with honor. His father's library and his continuous presence in the courtroom, during his boyhood and early manhood, gave him an inclination towards the law. For several years he combined the management of his father's farm in Rock-Bridge and the study of law, with Martin and McNeil. In the early part of 1882 he was examined in law and admitted to the bar, standing second in a class of fifty. In 1887 he went to Birmingham, Ala., and for nearly a year was engaged in literary and newspaper work. He was called back to Lan- caster by the fatal illness of his father. He was married to Miss Angie Oliver, of Circle- ville, in June, 1888. In 1890 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Fairfield County, serving to the full satisfaction of the public.
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