Sandusky County, Ohio - Chapter 19: Banks and Banking, 1909

Chapter 19: Banks and Banking

On the ist day of January, 1851, Mr. Sardis Birchard, in partnership with Judge Lucius B. Otis, established the first banking house in Sandusky County, at Fremont, Ohio, under the name of Birchard & Otis.

On the removal of Judge Otis to Chicago in 1856 Mr. Birchard formed a partnership with Anson H. Miller, and a year later with Dr. James W. Wilson, under the name of Birchard, Miller & Co.

In 1863 The First National Bank of Fremont was organized, and the banking house of Birchard, Miller & Co. was merged into it. This was the second national bank organized in Ohio, and the fifth in the United States.

James Justice, Martin Bruner, Robert Smith, Augustus W. Luckey and Anson H. Miller, all of whom have passed away. The first officers were Sardis Birchard, president; James W. Wilson, vice-president, and Anson H. Miller, cashier. On the death of Mr. Birchard who died January 21, 1874, Dr. James W. Wilson was, on January 27, 1874, chosen president of the bank, which position he held until his death.

Mr. Miller continued as cashier until May 13, 1902, when he was elected vice-president. John M. Sherman was at the same time elected cashier, which position he has ever since held. Dr. Wilson died July 21, 1904, and on August 5, 1904, Mr. Miller was elected president to fill present, these banks have stood the test of all the panics and hard times and paid their depositors in full on demand, not even excepting the great panic of 1873, when nearly all the banks in the country were compelled, for a short time, partially to suspend payment. It has had four presidents, the fourth and present being Charles G. Wilson, son of the late Dr. James W. Wilson. It has had three cashiers, the third and present cashier being John M. Sherman.

Deposits, individual and bank.............. 1,320,591.68 Its present officers are: Chas. G. Wilson, president; John Fangboner, vice-president; M. Gusdorf, vice-president; John M. Sherman, cashier; Wm. A. Gabel, assistant cashier.

The First National Bank, Bellevue, Ohio

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK, BELLEVUE, OHIO. This bank was established in 1875, with a capital of $50,000. Amos Woodward, Joseph B. Higbee, Joseph Egle and John W. Goodson were directors at its organization. John T. Worthington was president, and Edwin H. Brown, cashier. The presidents of this bank have been John T. Worthington, D. M. Harkness and George E. Pomeroy. The cashiers have been Edwin H. Brown, Amos Woodward, J. W. Close and L. P. Oehm. The present officers are: George E. Pomeroy, president; Frank A. Knapp, vice-president; L. P. Oehm, cashier, and Robt. E. Wills, assistant cashier. The resources and liabilities are:

The Fremont Savings Bank

This bank was incorporated under the laws of Ohio in 1882. The present officers are, William E. Haynes, president; F. J. Geibel, vice-president; W. P. Haynes, cashier, and

The Peoples Banking Company Of Clyde Ohio

This bank began business June 1, 1884, with a subscribed capital stock of $50,000, 50 per cent of which was then paid in, but since that time the stock has been fully paid up. The first officers were, John M. Lemmon, president; Carmi G. Sanford, Thomas P. Dewey, Taylor Fuller and T. P. Hurd, vice-presidents. John C. Bolinger, cashier. The present officers are: Taylor Fuller, president; Thomas P. Dewey, E. D. Harkness, George Slessman, B. A. Becker and S. S. Richards, vice-presidents ; D. E. Fuller, cashier, and H. C. Heffner, assistant cashier.

Clyde Savings Bank Company

The original of this bank was The Farmers and Traders Bank, organized in 1886 as a partnership, by S. M. Terry, Ira S. Comstock and O. E. Comstock. Mr. Terry established The First National Bank of Clyde, January 8, 1890, superseding the first bank. The officers were, G. P. Huntly, president; W. A. Mugg, vice-president; S. M. Terry, cashier, and G. D. Tiffany, assistant cashier.

On July 2, 1906, this second bank organization was suspended by The Clyde Savings Bank Company, then organized with G. P. Huntly, president; W. A. Mugg, vice-president; G. D. Tiffany, cashier, and Irvin R. Clapp, assistant cashier, who are the present officers. The members of the present board of directors are W. A. Mugg, G. P. Huntly, D. A. Heffner, G. D. Tiffany, Corwin Griffin, Fred Curtis and G. M. Benfer.

The Croghan Bank And Savings Company Fremont, Ohio

erating under the banking laws of Ohio. It has recently, under the superintendence of its late president, Augustus E. Rice, completed the erection of one of the most modern and convenient bank buildings to be seen in any of the smaller cities in the state. The present officers are: FF. H. Dorr, president; W. E. Proctor, vice-president; John C. Bolinger, cashier, and Clarence W. Cox, assistant cashier. The following is the present condition of this bank:

The Gibsonburg Banking Company The Colonial Savings Bank And Trust Company, Fremont, Ohio

THE COLONIAL SAVINGS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, FREMONT, OHIO. This bank was organized in 1904 under the Ohio banking laws. Its resources and liabilities are as follows: commenced business in Lindsey, Ohio, January 2, 1907, with the following officers: F. D. Prentice, president; L. Bloker, vice-president ; L. C. Porter, cashier, and Benj. J. Burkett, assistant cashier. The present officers are, F. M. Dotson, president; L. Bloker, vice-president; A. C. Frank, cashier; Benj. J. Burkett, assistant cashier, and C. L. Bloker, assistant cashier. The resources and liabilities are as follows:

The Woodville Savings Bank Company

This bank was incorporated as a banking institution under the laws of Ohio and commenced business in 1901. From its statement made June 23, 1909, we take the following:

The board of directors consists of William Keil, B. S. Otten, J. F. Mauntler, Fred H. Hartman, W. H. Price, Chas. A. Kuhlman and E. G. Baker.

The officers and directors have been the same ever since the organization of the bank, except Mr. Baker, who succeeded the late Benedict Emch as director.

The State Savings Bank Of Woodville

This is the youngest bank in Sandusky County. It was organized under the laws of Ohio with a capital stock of $25,000, and commenced business June 30, 1909. All the capital of this institution with the exception of a few shares is owned by citizens of Wood- 'ville and immediate vicinity. The board of directors consists of D. H. Bittinger, Dr. Henry Busch, William Depher, Henry Molkenbur, L. H. Gerwin, E. Henry Nieman, Hones Bringman, W. H. Yeasting and J. F. Smith.