THE BANK OF WADESTOWN

The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume III,
pg. 605-606
Monongalia

THE BANK OF WADESTOWN is one of the substantial
smaller banks of West Virginia, located in an exclusively
rural section and performing its service for a local patron-
age and being a reliable index of the district's prosperity.
Wadestown is an inland village six miles from a raidroad [sic]
and thirty miles west of Morgantown. It is situated near
the center of Battelle District, Monongalia County, at a
point where several runs converge, the Dunkard Creek
Valley extending for miles to the northeast. It is a grazing
and general agricultural community, and a number of sub-
stantial families have been established in that region since
pioneer times.

The bank was organized in 1905, being open for business
on the 7th of October, with a capital of $25,000. The pro-
moters of the bank were Professor Russell Morris, of the
State University, and Mr. Tumlin, of the Federal Trust
Company of Morgantown. Nearly all the stock, however,
is held locally. The first president was Urias Shriver, who
in April, 1918, was succeeded by B. S. Colvis, who is the
only one of the original directors and had been vice presi-
dent from the beginning. The present vice president is
Charles V. Garrison and the first cashier was H. L. Plumb,
who was succeeded on February 15, 1908, by Alexander
White, now cashier. The board of directors consists of R. S.
Clovis, Urias Shriver, J. L. Hennen, Henry Shriver, Jeff
Shriver, Charles V. Garrison and William G. Kent, all resi-
dents of the Battelle District except Mr. Garrison, who lives
in Greene County, Pennsylvania.  The deposits average
$200,000, and the surplus and undivided profits are $34,000,
exceeding the capital. The book value of the stock is now
over $200. The bank erected and is housed in its own
building. This bank did a commendable part in helping the
Government finance the war, handling $37,750 of the Third
Liberty Loan, $49,900 of the Fourth Loan, $32,000 of the
Victory Loan, and $42,500 of War Savings securities.

Alexander White, cashier of the Bank of Wadestown,
was born in Battelle District February 15, 1880, son of
Thomas and Rebecca (Hennen) White, both now deceased.
His mother died in 1897 and his father in 1905. Thomas
White was one of the farmers of this section, inheriting
most of the old homestead from his father, William White,
who was a son of Grafton White, the pioneer.

Alexander White acquired a common school education,
and taught school for several years. Soon after the Bank
of Wadestown was opened he was offered the position of
cashier, and to acquire a technical knowledge of banking
he entered the Federal Trust Company of Morgantown,
where he remained until entering upon his active duties as
cashier. Besides his work at the bank Mr. White superin-
tends the operation of his farm. He is a republican in
politics.

In 1911 he married Miss Ada Renner, of Greene County,
Pennsylvania. They have three children: Ralph M., Alma
and Fred. Mr. and Mrs. White are members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, and Mr. White is affiliated with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows.