Jones County, Texas - History - Jones County Bank *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dorman Holub Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************** The Western Enterprise Anson, Jones County, Texas Thursday, August 26, 1933 50th Anniversary Edition THIRD BANK IN COUNTY IS NOW OLDEST HERE The first bank in Jones County was a private institution and was established and operated by Temple D. Smith and F.M. Smith. It went down in the general depression of 1893. The next bank was established by J.S. Morrow and F.T. Knox in 1887. This bank had a long and interesting history, which was ended when the Anson State Bank was sold in November 1930. The third banking institution in the county was a private bank, the Jones County Bank, organized by R.V. Colbert, in 1894 after he had retired at the expiration of his second term as county and district clerk with himself as president. The business was operated in a little rock room attached to the west wall of the George H. Baker store, where the Plutman Cafe was operated for years before moving this year to South Commercial avenue. The bank was later moved to a small building erected for the purpose of housing the bank on the corner where Knox Pittard's drug store is now located. The disastrous fire of 1904 claimed the frame building as a victim, but the vault remained intact and no funds were lost. A brick building spurng up where the old one stood, and remained the home on the bankk until it was moved to the present location of Anson's only bank, the First National Bank which the Jones County Bank was converted into in 1902 with Dr. R.R. Shapard, pioneer physician, as president, and C.H. Steele as cashier. Mr. Steele, a pioneer, now resides in Fort Worth. Later Mr. Steele shows up as president and J.J. Steele, his brohter, as cashier. today, the bank is the only bank in the city with J.J. Steele as President. Two lots in the city of Stamford in its swaddling clothes were conveyed to Penick, Colvert & Hughes Co., on 7 January 1900, and as quickly as possible a sign of the bnak was put up, money placed on the spot and guarded by R.L. Penick while it was counted by Mack Castles, all of the party save Hughes being Anson pioneers. In the meantime, a building was erected. Mr. Colbert was cashier of the Firt National Bank of Stamford, thus conceived. The same date a lot was conveyed to J.S. Morrow, also a pioneer of Anson, and he opened a bank, Mr. Morrow's and the Citizen National Bank. The First State Bank of Stamford was organized in July 1908. The first officer was J.J. Harlan as president. The First National Bank of Hamlin was establshed in 1906. The First State Bank of Hamlin was established in 1907. The Lueders State Bank was established in 1911. Charles Stifflemire formerly was cashier, his place now being held by T.R. Putnam. The Avoca State Bank was organized in 1906. It has not operated for several years. The First National Bank of Hawley was established in 1907. The first president was Henry James of Abilene, and first cashier, E.W. Kidwell. It was discontinued several yeras ago without loss to depositors. The Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Anson was established January 1908 with George Parker as president and Lige Davis as cashier. It was sold to the First National Bank in 1911. The Lueders Bank was taken over by the First State Bank of Stamford.