AREA HISTORY: Banks and Banking, York Borough, York County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/ _______________________________________________ History of York County, Pennsylvania. John Gibson, Historical Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886. _______________________________________________ BANKS AND BANKING – Page 557-559 An act of assembly, passed March 30 1793, authorized the establishment of the Bank of Pennsylvania, with the main office in Philadelphia, and the privilege of establishing branch offices in Lancaster, York and Reading, or such other places as might be deemed expedient. The only branch offices established were at Lancaster and Pittsburgh, until a supplement to the original charter incorporating the State Bank, was passed March 8, 1809, at which time the State was divided into eight banking districts, each district to be allowed a bank. On the 21st of March, 1814, a general banking act was passed by the general assembly, authorizing the State to be divided into twenty-seven districts, with forty-tow banks. The county of York was made a district, and authorized to establish a bank, to be called the York Bank, which soon after went into operation, and was the only York bank chartered until 1850. The York National Bank – This the oldest financial institution in York has maintained its reputation for the thorough reliability during a period of seventy- one years. It was established in 1814, with David Cassatt, president, and John Schmidt cashier with a capital of $100,000. In 1850 its capital was increased to $500,000. In 1864 it took a new charter under the national banking act. The bank building occupies one of the old landmarks of the town, now changed into a substantial and handsome three-story brick building with bank offices, and also is the residence of the cashier. The late Henry Welsh was president of this institution for many years. The directors of this bank for 1885 are as follows: G. Edward Hersh, president; Alfred Gartman, Jacob Hay, William Wallace, Edmund Rutter, John K. Ziegler, Smyser Williams, David Small, John C. Schmidt, W. Latimer Small, Martin Bender, Adam Herman; George H. Sprigg, cashier; A. H. Griffith, first teller; John A. Small, bookkeeper; Charles I. Nes, clerk. George H. Sprigg, the cashier, was born in Baltimore, Md., and had experience in banking business in that State before he was elected the cashier of the York Bank in 1859. G. Edward Hersh, the president, was born in Gettysburg, Adams County, in 1822, and came to York in 1848. In 1855 he became a director of the bank, and remained as such until 1878, when he was made president. The York County National Bank – This institution was originally organized as the York County Savings Institution. Christian Lanius was chosen president, and William Wagner, cashier. The first board of directors were Daniel Hartman, Christian Lanius, Peter McIntyre, Michael Doudel, Charles Weiser, Dr. Luke Rouse, Abraham Forry, Thomas Baumgardner, William Danner and John G. Campbell. July 21, 1846, Mr. Weiser resigned the presidency, and was succeeded by Mr. Campbell. In 1849, the name of the institution was changed to the York County Bank, when it became a bank of issue. In 1852 Eli Lewis was chosen president, in place of Mr. Campbell. In 1858 Mr. Lewis resigned the presidency, and was succeeded by Philip A. Small. In 1864 the bank accepted the provisions of the act of congress, and became the York County National Bank. In 1869, William Wagner, the cashier, died, and James A. Schall succeeded him in that office, who had acted as teller continuously since February, 1853. In 1875, Philip A. Small, the president, died, and David F. Williams succeeded him. In October, 1881, Mr. Williams died, and in the following month Joseph E. Rosenmiller was elected president, William H. Kurtz, vice-president, having acted in the meantime. On March 10, 1885, Mr. Rosenmiller resigned, and was succeeded by Dr. W. S. Roland. The present officers are: W. S. Roland, president; James A. Schall, cashier; Isaac A. Elliott, teller; Lewis Eppley, bookkeeper since January 22, 1873. The present board of directors are Dr. W. S. Roland, W. H. Kurtz, Joseph E. Rosenmiller, Samuel Gotwalt, Enos Frey, W. E. Patterson, James H. Fisher, James A. Dale and William Laumester. Daniel Lehman had been messenger and watchman from the organization of the institution, for nearly thirty years. He was succeeded by Lewis J. Wampler, and John Craver is the present incumbent. Capital stock of this prosperous and reliable institution in $300,000. The First National Bank – The national administration at Washington, approved an act, February 25, 1863, “to provide a national currency, secured by a pledge of United States Bonds, and provide for the circulation and redemption thereof.” An association of individuals at York, accepted the provisions of this act of Congress. At a meeting of the stockholders of the First National Bank, held December 15, 1863, the following board of directors was elected: Eli Lewis, Edward Chapin, W. Latimer Small, Daniel A. Rupp, Zachariah K. Loucks, David E. Small, John L. Mayer, Jacob D. Schall and Daniel Hartman. On the 10th of the same month, Eli Lewis was elected president, Henry D. Schmidt, cashier, and Samuel B. Hopkins, teller. On the 18th of May, 1867, Henry D. Schmidt was chosen president, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Eli Lewis, and Jacob Bastress was elected cashier; C. E. Lewis, teller. On the 2d of October, 1867, Mr. Schmidt resigned on account of ill health, and removed to Minnesota, whereupon David E. Small was elected president. Z. K. Loucks was elected vice-president April 17, 1876, owing to the illness of the president; D. E. Small, who resigned on account of continued ill health, December 4, 1876; and Z. K. Loucks, succeeded as president January 15, 1877. John J. Frick, became book-keeper, in December, 1867, and was elected teller in 1876, and R. H. Shindel, book-keeper. The board of directors of the bank, for the year 1885, is as follows: Z. K. Loucks, president; J. D. Schall, James M. Danner, Isaac Frazer, Jacob Loucks, John H. Small, C. M. Billmyer, Niles H. Shearer, Robert Smith and Henry Small. Jacob Bastress is cashier; John J. Frick, teller; R. H. Shindel, book-keeper; Ivan Glossbrenner, book- keeper; Henry K. Fox, assistant book-keeper; Caleb Kepner, messenger, eleven years; capital stock $300,000. This institution has had a very prosperous existence. Western National Bank – The series of meetings which has for their object the formation of a national bank in the Fifth Ward of the borough of York commenced April 6, 1875. On the 22d day of July, 1875, the articles of association were adopted, the organization certificate files, and the following directors elected: J. H. Bear, Israel Laucks, William H. Emig, Clay E. Lewis, Frederick Greiman, Albert Smyser, John Fahs, Jr., Silas H. Forry, Daniel Kraber, Charles A. Klinefelter, H. B. Shroeder, Solomon Myers, and George W. Ruby. J. H. Bear was elected president of the board of directors and of the bank, on the 29th day of July, 1875, and M. J. Skinner, cashier. The name agreed upon for the bank is “The Western National Bank of York,” and it was authorized to commence business on the 8th day of October, 1875. Its bonds as a basis of circulation were deposited October 11, 1875, and consisted of the 5’s of 1881. On the 29th of November, 1875, the bank was formally opened for business. Albert Smyser was elected president May 12, 1877. On the 10th day of January, 1879, M. J. Skinner, the cashier, died. On the 13th day of January following, C. E. Lewis was elected cashier. The present board of directors consists of the following-named gentlemen; Albert Smyser, president; and Samuel S. Sprenkle, William Eyster, Michael Miller, Israel Laucks, William H. Miller, Charles A. Klinefelter, Albert Smyser, John Zeller, E. L. Schroeder, John Fahs, Solomon Myers and Frederick Greiman. Capital, $100,000. The Farmers National Bank – The certificate of the comptroller authorizing this bank to commence business bears date March 1, 1875. Capital $200,000. The officers are V. K. Keesey, president, E. P. Stair, cashier. The directors are John A. Weiser, W. H. Jordan, M. S. Eichelberger, M. B. Spahr, N. Lehmayer, Charles Spangler, S. H. Sorry, Horace Keesey and V. K. Keesey. The bank commenced business on March 25, 1875. The Drovers and Mechanics National Bank – This bank was organized May 22, 1883, with N. F. Burnham as president and I. V. Giesey as cashier. The first board of directors were Samuel Lichtenberger, Edward Smyser, H. J. Gresley, Dr. B. F. Spangler, W. H. Bond, George F. Shive, Israel F. Gross, Frederick Grothe, Jacob Brodbeck, and George W. Holtzinger. Edward Smyser has since died. H. J. Gresley and B. F. Spangler have resigned, and Frank Loucks and Samuel Rutter are the present directors in their stead. Banking House of Weiser, Son & Carl – This institution was established by Charles Weiser in January, 1856. In 1861, Charles S. Weiser was admitted as a partner under the firm name of Charles Weiser & Son. In January 1867, Jere Carl was admitted as a member of the firm. In July, 1867, Charles Weiser died, and the business is now conducted under the firm name of Weiser, Son & Carl. This banking house began business where the Farmers National Bank now stands. In April, 1867, it was moved to its present location. In the year 1884, the firm built the block known as Weiser’s Bank Building, a handsome architectural structure, where they have commodious apartments. Jacob H. Baer had conducted a private bank, west of the bridge, for many years. He was for a time president of the Western National Bank, from 1875 to 1877. Since then he has resumed his private banking. Schall, Danner & Sperry are a firm of bankers and brokers on Market Street.