75 Years Vandalia Farmers and Merchants Bank IWNOIS MICAL SDRVET UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN ILLINOIS RISTIWMl SURVEY ^r$2p&** weathering ^the sV&r/ms 1871 1946 Years of Service THE FARMERS AND MERCHANTS BANK OF VANDALIA VANDALIA, ILLINOIS WNKSBISTORKALSUMtt WEATHERING THE STORMS 1871 1946 75 Years of Service THE FARMERS AND MERCHANTS BANK OF VANDALIA VANDALIA, ILLINOIS Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/weatheringstormsOOfarm 'Present Officers and Employees JOS. C. BURTSCHI President ' EMMETT E. DAVIS Volunteered Oct. 1942; A.F.C.2/c Naval Aviation. Teller 1940 to 1942. ALBERT SAM LALLISH Janitor Since June, 1940 CORAL H. BROOKS Vice President and Cashier From left to right, back row: Lillie H. Coates, C. C. Brauer, Lydia C. Metzger; front row: Florence Carrico, Bee Leever, Naomi Reeter. II. D. CRAYCROFT Present Directors ^r JOHN W. SCHENKER Former president of the Bank, 1914-1930, and 1933-1934, re- signed as director Dec. 31,1945, but was elected a vice-president 1946, inactive because of ill health. CHAS. R. SCHULTE D. T. MCKELLAR GEO. L. WHITEMAN FORMER HOME OF The Farmers and Merchants Bank The first home of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, the room to the right in the above picture, was in the center of what is now and always has been known as the Fehren block. This site was continuously used by the Bank from the time of its organization until the bank was removed to its present site. Matthias Fehren, the first president of the Bank, was the owner of the old site when the Bank was organized and the site remained in the Fehren family long after the Bank changed loca- PRESENT HOME OF The Farmers and Merchants Bank The present home of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Van- dalia, Illinois. Ferdinand Ernst was the first owner of this site. He died in 1822 and at that time a store was operated by James Black on this site. During the Civil War the site was vacant and later a three-story brick building was erected thereon. In 1912 the property was purchased by the Bank from the Highland Brewing Company. The building was torn down and the present beautiful and commodious bank building was constructed and the Bank was formallv opened therein Januarv 1, 1913. Our 75th Anniversary THE BANK'S PIONEER ORGANIZERS W ith pardonable pride the Directors, Officers and Stockholders of The Farmers and Merchants Bank present this Brochure in commemoration of our DIAMOND JUBILEE. Three quarters of a century has passed into history since a little group of pioneer business men met in the parlors of the ''Dieckmann House" to organize a new Bank. A young and promising attorney, Beverly W. Henry, acted as Chairman of the meeting and Charles W. Higinbotom as secretary. The object of the meeting was to organize a new National Bank with a capital stock of One Hundred Thousand Dollars. It is interesting to note that the subscribers, twenty-one in number, be- came and were the outstanding citizens in the development of our community. All of them are long since deceased but of pleasant memory in the minds of many of our citizens living to-day. The list of names follows, with only one woman: Matthias Fehren Andrew Ray Christian A. Sonnemann Leallyn E. Morey Dennis Cullity Sidney B. Stout John J. Schneider George H. Dieckmann James H. Scott Thomas B. Murray Joseph Gordon Daniel Gregory Joseph A. Gordon Ann Thompson Frederick Gerdes Michael Lynch, Sr. William Sonnemann August H. Dieckmann John Walker Michael Lynch, Jr. Charles G. Smith Bank Organisation OPENED FOR BUSINESS FEBRUARY 25,1871 1 he title of the Association was "The Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Vandalia . ' ' The organization certificate was issued January 10, 1871 and the Charter No. 1779 was issued by the Comptroller of the Currency of Washington, D. C. January 31, 1871. The first meeting of the stockholders was held at Fehren Hall on January 10, 1871, at which time the following stockholders were elected as directors: Matthias Fehren Beverly W. Henry Christian A. Sonnemann Eli as B. Stokes Daniel Gregory Michael Lynch, Sr. George H. Dieckmann Matthias Fehren was elected President and David Palmer was elected Cashier. A room was secured in the Fehren Building now occupied by Atkinson & Company Shoe Department. The Bank opened for business on Saturday, February 25, 1871. Matthias Fehren, the first president, who was born in Germany, came to this country without money or friends. On May 31, 1842, he married Catharine Wall in Terre Haute, Indiana and soon moved to Van Burensburg and in 1850 moved to Vandalia. To his zeal and liberality, more than any other one man, the Presbyterian denomina- tion owes its present church edifice. He erected one half block of business buildings known as the Fehren Block. The first statement appears in the minutes as of July 28, 1873, which was during the 1873 panic. ASSETS: LIABILITIES: U. S. Bonds in Washington $100,000.00 Capital $100,000.00 Premiums on Same 7,509-92 Circulation 90,000.00 Expenses 1,053-37 Interest 10,639.14 Furniture and Fixtures 1,200.00 Surplus 31,198.27 Govt. Taxes 643-75 Deposits 71,230.54 National Bank balances 17,590.71 Real Estate 480.00 Bills Receivable 156,165.85 Cash 18,094.35 Miscellaneous Notes 300.00 $303,067.95 $303,067.95 Converted to State Bank PRESIDENTS AND CASHIERS WHO HAVE SERVED JVLatthias fehren died April 5, 1874 and Christian A. Sonnemann was elected for the balance of the year. On January 15, 1875, Richard T. Higgins was elected Pres- ident. The original Charter of The Farmers and Merchants National Bank was issued for twenty years, hence expiring January 10, 1891, at which time the Bank was con- verted into a State Bank retaining the then existing officers and directors. The State of Illinois issued Certificate of Authority January 8, 1891 and business of the Asso- ciation was continued under the title of The Farmers and Merchants Bank of Van- dalia. The following are the names of the Presidents and the terms of office during the entire period of the Bank's existence: Matthias Fehren January 1871 to April 1874 Christian A. Sonnemann April 1874 to December 1874 Richard T. Higgins January 1875 to September 1904 P. M. Johnston September 1904 to January 1910 G. T. Turner January 1910 to May 1914 J. W. Schenker September 1914 to June 1930 June 1933 to December 1934 Will P. Welker December 1930 to June 1933 Jos. C. Burtschi January 1935 — Present incumbent. The following are the names of the Cashiers and the terms of office during the entire period of the Bank's existence: David Palmer January 1871 to January 1882 Edw. L. Wahl January 1882 to August 1901 F. I. Henry August 1901 to September 1904 J. A. Gordon September 1904 to July 1912 C. F. Easterday July 1912 to January 1935 O. E. Schmetter January 1935 to July 1940 Coral H. Brooks August 1940 — Present incumbent. Directors of Bank THE TERMS FOR WHICH THEY HAVE SERVED 1 he following are the names of the Directors and the terms of office during the entire period of the Bank's existence - Matthias Fehren Jan. 1871 to April 1874 Christian A. Sonnemann Jan. 1871 to April 1875 Daniel Gregory Jan. 1871 to Jan. 1875 Beverly W. Henry Jan. 1871 to Jan. 1875 Elias B. Stokes Jan. 1871 to Dec. 1920 Michael Lynch, Sr Jan. 1871 to Dec. 1874 George H. Dieckmann Jan. 1871 to Dec. 1874 Thomas B. Murray Jan. 1873 to Dec. 1896 L. E. Morey Jan. 1875 to Dec. 1886 Joseph Gordon Jan. 1875 to July 1882 Richard T. Higgins Jan. 1875 to Sept. 1904 William Sonnemann April 1875 to Dec. 1924 Azro Willis Jan. 1879 to Dec. 1899 Barton G. Pfund July 1882 to Dec. 1885 Edward L. Wahl July 1887 to Dec. 1894 J. J. Schneider Jan. 1896 to Dec. 1899 Jennie R. Higgins Jan. 1897 to July 1901 C. F. Emmel Jan. 1900 to Sept. 1904 James M. Price Jan. 1900 to Sept. 1904 John U. Metzger July 1901 to June 1933 B. F. Johnston Sept. 1904 to Dec. 1905 T. N. Pitkin Sept. 1904 to Sept. 1913 S. A. Prater Sept. 1904 to July 1911 P. M. Johnston Sept. 1904 to May 1914 G. T. Turner Sept. 1904 to May 1914 E. F. Steinhauer Jan. 1906 to June 1942 Charles S. Stout Sept. 1914 to Nov. 1930 J. W. Schenker Sept. 1914 to Dec. 1945 Jos. C. Burtschi Sept. 1914 to Jan. 1924 Ira D. Lakin Sept. 1914 — Present incumbent Will P. Welker Dec. 1920— Present incumbent Arthur T. Buser April 1914 — Present incumbent H. B. Craycroft June 1933 — Present incumbent Charles R. Schulte June 1933 — Present incumbent George L. Whiteman June 1933 — Present incumbent Jos. C. Burtschi June 1933 — Present incumbent D. T. McKellar Jan. 1943 — Present incumbent Coral H. Brooks Jan. 1946 — Present incumbent OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES 75TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR Jos. C. Burtschi President Coral H. Brooks Vice President and Cashier J. W. Schenker Vice President C. C. Brauer Assistant Cashier Lydia C. Metzger Assistant Cashier Bee Leever Bookkeeper Lillie H. Coates Stenographer Florence Carrico Teller Naomi Reeter Clerk DIRECTORS Jos. C. Burtschi Ira D. Lakin Coral H. Brooks D. T. McKellar Arthur T. Buser Chas. R. Schulte H. B. Craycroft Will P. Welker Geo. L. Whiieman STATEMENT OF CONDITION OF THE BANK AS OF JANUARY 1, 1946 RESOURCES Cash and due from banks $ 468,074.24 U. S. Government Securities 1,947,798.90 - $2,442,873.14 Other Bonds and Securities 86,428.10 Loans and Discounts 273,835-21 Federal Reserve Bank Stock 4,500.00 Other Real Estate None Banking House 1.00 Furniture and Fixtures 1.00 Other Resources 6,676.97 Overdrafts 9.69 $2,814,325.11 LIABILITIES DEPOSITS $2,608,560.31 Capital $75,000.00 Surplus 75,000.00 Undivided Profits and Reserve 55,764.80 205,764.80 $2,814,325.11 Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Conclusion L rue to the principles upon which it was founded The Farmers and Merchants Bank of Vandalia, Illinois, has kept faith with the public and is proud of its rank and reputation. The officers, stockholders and personnel are profoundly thankful for the record it has been permitted to achieve. The indomitable pioneering of its founders has been bred into the very life of the institution and has contributed greatly to the almost impregnable financial position attained by its present manage- ment. The rough road of our early course has been made smooth by the tempered age and long experience of the personnel of the Bank. During all of these years our community and this Bank have traveled side by side sharing each other's good and bad fortune which served to strengthen the bond between us. The interests of the farmers are commensurate with that of the merchants and the interests of both are commensurate with the Bank. Our interests are identical and inseparable and the prosperity of one is a criterion of the prosperity of the other; therefore, it is evident that the success of the Bank is also the success of the com- munity. Throughout the year thousands of people enter the doors of the Bank. To the Bank these are the best people in the world; consequently advancement and protec- tion of their interest are always uppermost in the minds of the officers and employees of the Bank. While holding the old friends and their business, the Bank seeks to make new friends and acquire new business. To the faithful friends of this Bank we owe a deep debt of gratitude. Based upon a performance of fair and honorable dealing the Bank stands secure and looks forward with confidence to the milestones ahead. Brief History of Vandalia In writing the history of the Bank it might be apropos to give a resume of the history of our city which is rich in tradition and important in history due to the fact that it is the oldest State Capital of Illinois where the old State Capitol Build- ing still stands. It is here where Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas began their public careers. It is the terminus of the old Cumberland road that was con- ceived in a Bill signed by Thomas Jefferson in 1806. Illinois was admitted into the Union in 1818; on March 3, 1819, Congress granted to the State of Illinois four sections of land for a seat of Government of said State. Five commissioners were appointed by the General Assembly for that pur- pose. Three capitol buildings were erected in Vandalia; the first, on the northwest corner of the intersections of Fifth and Johnson street; the second, just north of the Evans Hotel; the third is the present building. To enumerate the events of the pioneer days and the charactistics of the early settlers would be a repetition of what has been so often detailed by the word of mouth and by the printed word. The first settlers consisted of the Ernst Colony who came from Germany, built a store and several dwellings. The members of this colony, consisting of men, women and children, were of high literary attainment, fine musicians and the men were all competent tradesmen of all kinds. Mr. Ernst did more financially and otherwise than any other single individual in the early development of this com- munity. Most of the other pioneers came from Kentucky. To give credit to our early citizens and to mention the events that occurred and to record the issues of both State and National fame that were conceived here would require a large volume. One of the early and most influential citizens, Matthias Fehren, was the organizer of The Farmers and Merchants Bank that is now celebrating its Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. State Capitol Building at Vandalia L he following is a concise and condensed treatise on the Capitols of Illinois, par- ticularly the third State Capitol building at Vandalia, Illinois, shown above. 1809, Feb. 3, Illinois territory organized. Apr. 24, Ninian Edwards appointed first governor. June The Governor and judges first met as a law-making body at Kaskaskia, Illinois. 1812, May 21, Illinois raised to the second grade of territorial government. Oct. Election of territorial officers and delegates to Congress. Nov. 25, First session of territorial legislature at Kaskaskia. 1818, Apr. 18, State constitution formed, northern boundary fixed. Sept. 17, First election of State officers. Oct. 5, First General Assembly met at Kaskaskia. (in the house of George Fisher, which was rented.) Oct. 6, Shadrach Bond inaugurated as first governor of the State of Illinois, at Kaskaskia. Oct. 12, At the first session of the first General Assembly, a petition was prepared and ap- proved, asking Congress to donate to the State not less than one, nor more than four sections of land, "situated on the Kaskaskia River, as near as may be, east of the third principal meridian, for a seat of government for this State." Dec. 3, Illinois formally admitted as a state. 1819, Mar. 3, Congress grants four sections of land. (These four sections comprise the town of Vandalia.) Mar. 30, Second session, first General Assembly (meeting in Kaskaskia) passes act to appoint "five commissioners who were, authorized to make a proper selection of a site." 1820, Dec. 4, First session, second General Assembly met in first capitol building, owned by the State. (A small two-story frame building at the corner of Fifth and Johnson Streets, Vandalia.) 1823, Jan. 27, Bank building destroyed by fire, in which the records of the State Auditor were kept. Dec. 8, First capitol building destroyed by fire. 1824, Summer The townspeople of Vandalia erected (without legislative authority) the second of State capitol building. 1835, Dec. 7, Second session, ninth General Assembly, the last to be held in the second State to capitol. 1836, Jan. 13, 1836, Summer The townspeople of Vandalia erected (again without legislative authority and in an of effort to hold the capitol at Vandalia) the third State capitol building, located in the public square. 1837, Feb. 28, Joint session of legislature chooses Springfield as new capital. July 4, Corner stone of fourth capitol building at Springfield laid. 1838, Dec. 3, Last session of legislature to meet in third capitol, first session of 11th General As- sembly. Lincoln was a member of the House of Representatives here from 1834 to 1839. 1839, Feb. 16, Act passed conveying the capitol building (3d) to the county of Fayette and the town of Vandalia. The west half of the building to be used by the county and the east half to be used by the town for school purposes. 1856, June 19, East half of building conveyed to countv, all thereafter used as County Court House. 1857, Feb. 15, Act conveying east half of building to county passed by General Assembly. 1858, 1859 County remodels building (3d capitol) adding north and south porticoes at a cost of $50,000.00. 1919 The capitol building and grounds were acquired by the State of Illinois to be pre- served as a memorial and State park. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA 12240977F229W C001 WEATHERING THE STORMS VANOALIA. ILL