DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

BANKS New officers and directors of the Commercial Bank of Iron Mountain:

President – Otto C. Davidson. Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Vice-President – William Kelly. Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 14, Cashier – Oliver Evans. Number 34 [Thursday, January 13, Assistant – Wilbur W. Thompson. 1910], page 1, column 4 Directors – Anson F. Wright, Herbert M.

Pelham, William Kelly, Patrick Flanagan, BANKS OF THE COUNTY Otto C. Davidson, Michael Corey, Oliver _____ Evans, John Marsch, Henry G. Neuens. The old officers of the First National Stockholders Hold Annual Bank of Norway re-elected as follows: Meetings and Elect Directors. President – Frank A. Janson. Vice-President – William Bond. The stockholders of the three Dickinson Cashier – Dan A. Stewart. county banking institutions held their annual Assistant – Victor S.Nystrom. meetings last Tuesday afternoon and the Directors – Frank A. Janson, James reports submitted were very satisfactory. O’Callaghan, Edward P. Swift, Gustav A. John F. Hancock, of Marinette, who has Blesch, Gustav A. Hellberg, William Bond, been vice-president and a director of the Dan A. Stewart. Commercial Bank since the institution was organized, has resigned due to the desire Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, to retire from business. Mr. Hancock is Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 15, succeded [sic – succeeded] as vice- Number 34 [Thursday, January 12, president by Hon. William Kelly, and as 1911], page 1, column 6 director by Henry G. Neuens, the pioneer Brown street merchant. BANKS OF THE COUNTY. At the First National Bank, Hon. J.A. _____ Kimberly, the millionaire Wisconsin paper- maker, resigned as vice-president and director for the same reasons advanced by Annual Meetings Held on Tuesday Mr. Hancock, and is succeeded by his son, and the Old Officials Re-Elected. J.C. Kimberly, a splendid young business man [sic – businessman]. The annual meetings of the At Norway, the old directors and officers stockholders of the three Dickinson county were re-elected. banking institutions were held last Tuesday The officers of the First National Bank of afternoon. Reports submitted prove that Iron Mountain as follows: the institutions were never in a more President – Elwin F. Brown. prosperous condition than now, deposits Vice-President – J.C. Kimberly. being considerably larger than a year ago. Cashier – Richard S. Powell. The officers of the First National Bank of Assistant – Fred J. Oliver. Iron Mountain are as follows: Directors – James C. Kimberly, William President – Elwin F. Brown. H. Scandling, James H. Cundy, Sr., Andrew Vice-President – J.C. Kimberly. Bjorkman, William J. Cudlip, Elwin F. Cashier – Richard S. Powell. Brown, Richard S.S. [sic] Powell. Assistant – Fred J. Oliver. 1 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

Directors – James C. Kimberly, William the banking laws of the state and has H. Scandling, James H. Cundy, Sr., Andrew already been granted a charter. Bjorkman, William J. Cudlip, Elwin F. The capitalization of the bank is Brown, Richard S. Powell. $100,000 divided into 1,000 shares at a par New officers and directors of the value of $100 each. The stock is selling at Commercial Bank of Iron Mountain: $120 a share. President – Otto C. Davidson. The incorporators are A.A. Conrad, Vice-President – William Kelly. John J. Flanagan, A.H. Hooper, Z.P. Cashier – Oliver Evans. Rousselle, Edward A. Best and James R. Assistant – Wilbur W. Thompson. Spencer. Mr. Conrad is a resident of Directors – Anson F. Wright, Herbert M. Wausaukee, where he holds the position of Pelham, William Kelly, Patrick Flanagan, cashier of the local bank. The other Otto C. Davidson, Michael Corey, Oliver incorporators are well-known local business Evans, John Marsch, Henry G. Neuens. men [sic – businessmen]. The old officers of the First National Bank of Norway re-elected as follows: Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, President – Frank A. Janson. Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 25, Vice-President – William Bond. Number 22 [Thursday, October 14, Cashier – Dan A. Stewart. 1920], page 1, column 4 Assistant – Victor S.Nystrom. Directors – Frank A. Janson, James BUY SCANDLING PROPERTY. O’Callaghan, Edward P. Swift, Gustav A. _____ Blesch, Gustav A. Hellberg, William Bond, Dan A. Stewart. New American Security Bank Has Arranged for Permanent Home. AMERICAN SECURITY STATE BANK The organization of the American South Stephenson Avenue Security bank of Iron Mountain has been completed and the management expects to Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, open the doors for business about the first Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 25, of February. Number 16 [Thursday, September 2, The bank is organized under the laws of 1920], page 1, column 6 the state and will have a capital of $50,000 with a comfortable surplus. Albert H. NEW BANK FOR CITY. Hooper has been elected president of the _____ bank, William H. Scandling is the vice- president, and A.A. Conrad the cashier. American Security State Bank Has Mr. Hooper has been a resident of Iron Been Granted a Charter. Mountain for about twenty-five years and has held the position of agent for the

Chicago & North-Western road Iron Mountain is to have a third bank. continuously. Mr. Scandling is one of the The new bank will be known as the city’s pioneer merchants and has been a American Security State Bank. It has, as director of the First National Bank ever the name indicates, been organized under since the organization. It is his intention to 2 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] retire from the mercantile business, we feet and a total depth of one hundred and understand. Mr. Conrad, the cashier, will twenty feet. A contract has been let to a come to the city from Wausaukee, where Minneapolis concern to remodel the two he now holds the position of cashier of the buildings and to build the fixtures for the Wausaukee State Bank, a very successful bank. The contract includes a large fire- institution, and where he is held in high proof and burglar-proof vault. esteem. The new bank has closed a deal for the Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, W.H. Scandling property on Stephenson Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 25, avenue and will greatly improve the same. Number 25 [Thursday, November 4, The property has a frontage of fifty feet on 1920], page 1, columns 5-6 the avenue and extends to the alley. It is splendidly located for banking purposes. COMPLETE AN The bank will occupy the building in which Mr. Scandling is doing business until the ORGANIZATION larger building has been entirely remodeled _____ for banking purposes. It is expected that this work will start at once. A new front of Stockholders of American Security brick and stone will be erected with a large Bank Hold a Meeting. vault in the rear. When this building is ready for occupancy the south building will The first meeting of stockholders of the be remodeled for commercial purposes. American Security Bank of Iron Mountain The fronts will commercial purposes. [sic] was held in the parlors of the Milliman Hotel The fronts will [be] uniform in design, or last Saturday afternoon, at which meeting nearly so. The second floor will be fitted up the following named persons were elected for offices with an entrance on Stephenson directors: A.H. Hooper, Wm. H. Scandling, avenue between the bank and the store. A.A. Conrad, E.E. Bussing, R.H. James, Mr. Conrad states that the permanent John Elmer and James R. Spencer. After fixtures for the bank will be second to none adjournment, a meeting of the board of in the upper peninsula. directors was held and the following officers

elected: A.H. Hooper, president, Wm. H. Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Scandling, vice-president, and A.A. Conrad, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 25, cashier. After transacting such business as Number 23 [Thursday, October 21, was necessary, the board discussed at 1920], page 1, column 3 length, the plants, estimates and

specifications presented for the new The New Bank. banking quarters. The building to be erected by the bank The American Security Bank, which will be a magnificent façade in the doric [sic opens its doors for business early in the – Doric] style of architecture made entirely new year, will have a capital of $100,000, of white Bedford stone with considerable not $50,000, as stated in a recent issue of hand carved ornamentation. It will be a full The Press. The property recently two stories in height with a high stone purchased from William H. Scandling has a pediment surmounted by a flag staff, giving frontage on Stephenson avenue of sixty the structure an appearance of a three story

3 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] structure. The entrance doors will be heavy The vault is a special type known as “a bronze copper covered that enter into a burglar proof, fire proof, shock proof vault.” marble wainscoted vestibule. Since it cannot be burglarized, even when The entire face of the bank fixtures and the secret of its construction is known, a the wall wainscoting in the main bank lobby special description of this most-modern will be of marble with a tile floor. This floor type of vault building will be published at tile is of the hard Tennessee variety such time of construction and the public will be as is used in the leading hotels and banks invited to inspect the process. Since the of the large cities. The lobby will be a terrible experience of a Chicago bank when spacious one with a marble check desk in a big dirigible balloon crashed through its the center, and a marble, leather tufted seat roof, a new element has entered into at the side. Around the lobby and vestibule requirements of safe bank vaults and that is there will be a base of the beautiful to make them “shock proof” from either variegated dark imported Italian marble. accident or attack from the sky. The balance of marble fixtures and All the equipment, even including the wainscotting will be Tennessee tarvernell. furniture, ink wells, cuspidors, waste This is the hardest marble known and is baskets, mop and pail and the flag on the originally a sea shell formation from sea flag pole have all been let to one contract, deposits left when the Atlantic ocean was together with the erection of the building, to over the state of Tennessee, ages ago. A. Moorman & Co., bank builders, of St. There will be a beam ceiling. Paul, Minnesota. This firm, the second The arrangement of the interior has largest of its kind in the country, has its own been prepared by bank building experts factories and designs and builds nothing working in connection with the bank but the higher class of bank buildings. directors and between them has been Their representative, A.C. Clausen, has planned a banking home having every been a guest for several days at the convenience possible for customers and Milliman, where the contract was signed employees. There will be three private last Saturday and their construction offices for consultation, and the business manager will be on the job to start meetings of both officials and customers. operations in a few days. The contract calls Space for two active cashiers, four tellers’ for the completion in four months. It is the windows, stenographers and bookeepers policy of the construction company to [sic – bookkeepers]. The president’s office, patronize local mechanics and dealers as customers[‘] room and directors[‘] room, far as possible. also the furniture will be of dark walnut. There will be a coupon booth and phone Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, booth for the use of customers desiring to Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 25, inspect the contents of their safe deposit Number 30 [Thursday, December 9, boxes in private, or desiring to carry on 1920], page 1, column 1 private local or long distance conversation. There will also be a private toilet room with AM. SECURITY porcelain fixtures and tile floor. The interior decorations will be in oil with an ornamental PRESIDENT frieze near the ceiling in the main banking _____ room.

4 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

Dr. G.W. Earle, Hermansville, for a good many years, and active in its Succeeds A.H. Hooper. management. This is a million-dollar concern. At a meeting yesterday of the Dr. Earle is president of the Gladstone- stockholders and directors of the American Oregon Timber company, which has timber Security Bank, Dr. G.W. Earle, of properties in the state of Oregon valued at Hermansville, was elected president and over $500,000. he is also president of the director of the bank. Dr. Earle also Wind River company, a million-dollar becomes quite a heavy stockholder, and concern, with headquarters at Portland, very much interested in the new Oregon, and owning vast timber tracts in organization. Both of Dr. Earle’s sons will the state of Oregon. also be stockholders in the bank. This change in the presidency A.H. Hooper, of Iron Mountain, who has practically completes the organization of the temporarily filled the position of president new American Security Bank, and places it during the process of organization, until a on a very sound financial basis. The permanent head could be selected, has stockholders of the bank are very much tendered his resignation. Mr. Hooper still pleased with the selection and acceptance retains quite an active interest in the bank’s of Dr. Earle. The stock is very widely held affairs. in Iron Mountain and vicinity and practically Dr. Earle is well-known to most Iron every line of business is represented in the Mountain people and his association with stockholders’ list, and there are a great the new bank will be very pleasing to his many men of prominence in business and large number of friends and business financial affairs in the community who are associates in this immediate vicinity. The interested, which gives a practical new president has been in business in this assurance of a very successful business section for about thirty-two years and is one right from the start. of the strongest financial men in the upper W.H. Scandling is the vice-president, peninsula. He is connected with a great and A.A. Conrad, cashier. The directors many banks and is also in the lumber and are: Dr.G.W. Earle, W.H. Scandling, A.A. timber business. Conrad, James R. Spencer, John Elmer, in the First Fond du Lac National [sic] Richard H. James, and E.H. Bussing. Mr. At present, Dr. Earle is a director in the B. is a resident of Marquette. First Fond du Lac National Bank, at Fond The building for the new bank is now du Lac, isconisn [sic – Wisconsin], and is under construction, on Stephenson avenue, also a stockholder in the Commercial Bank, a few doors north of B street, and will be at Fond du Lac. He is a stockholder in the completed some time in February. A. Lumbermen’s Trust Company, of Portland, Moorman & Co., bank builders, of St. Paul, Oregon, the Midland Trust & Savings Bank, Minn., have the contract for the building, of St. Paul, Minn., the Detroit Mortgage which, when completed, will be one of the Corporation, of Detroit, Michigan, and other finest buildings in Iron Mountain and a real financial concerns. credit to the city. The entire front will be of As president of the Wisconsin Land & ornamental Bedford white stone. The Lumber company of Hermansville and interior will be of marble and bronze Blaney, Michigan, Dr. Earle has been construction, and equipped with every associated with the affairs of that company modern feature for the convenience of

5 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] customers. It will pe [sic – be] opened for To the right of the lobby is the business about March 1st. president’s office, and next to it the Dr. Earle has been associated with the cashier’s space. Beyond this is a double Wisconsin Land & Lumber company for a wicket, and across the rear of the lobby, great many years, and in the early days two single wickets. The partition dividing was largely instrumental in it’s [sic – its] the lobby from the bank proper is of organization, and in building it up to the Tennessee marble, with a baseboard of prominent position it now occupies in the Levanto marble. Above the marble are lumber industry. He has been a resident of plate glass panels in walnut frames with Hermansville for over thirty-two years. iron grills part of the height. To the left of Dr. Earle has just returned from the the entrance is a public writing room, which east, where he attended the dedication of a will be equipped with a settee, table, and new $80,000 Masonic Building at Homer, chair, for the accommodation of patrons New York, which he presented as a and others. Another settee will be provided memorial to his mother lodge, of which he along the north wall of the lobby. The has been a member a great many years. check desk, of Tennessee marble, with He is a prominent Mason and very much glass top, will occupy the center of the interested in Masonic affairs. lobby. Blanks will be provided in compartments below the glass top. Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, Public Room Provided. Dickinson County, Michigan, _____ Passing back from the lobby, on the Year, Number _____ [Wednesday, April right is a public telephone booth and just 27, 1921], page 1, column 2 beyond it a door giving access to the safety deposit vault. In the rear of the building is DECORATORS AT WORK another public room which will be provided FINISHING NEW BANK with a table and chairs, giving patrons _____ privacy in which to look over the contents of their deposit boxes. A lavatory and toilet

opens off this room. American Security to Have Inside the bank proper, the main object Handsome Business of interest is the massive vault. The door of Home this vault weighs three tons, and, when _____ closed, is hermetically sealed on corrugated rubber cushions. One layer of the door is of Decorators are at work on the interior of special steel, designed to withstand the the American Security Bank building, which, fame of the oxy-acetylene torch. according to A.A. Conrad, cashier, will be Behind the door is the day gate, of opened for business soon after the first of ornamental steel grill work, and back of that the month. The new institution is attractive space the 600 deposit boxes. The first unit both in outside and inside appearance. is in place. The doors of the boxes are of Entering through a copper sheathed out half-inch special steel, and the boxes door, there is a vestibule separated from themselves are of two document length. A the bank lobby by another door of plate special hinged cover permits examination of glass and walnut finished wood. Walnut is the contents of the box without removing it. the finish of the woodwork throughout the Burglar Proof Safe. bank. 6 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

Another grill of half-inch bar separates Handsome New Home of this from the cash compartment. The key Institution Inspected to this compartment will be held by one By Many employe [sic – employee] of the bank, and _____ he will be responsible for it. Inside is a five cubic foot manganese steel burglar proof Following the completion of its safe. The door of this safe resembles the handsome new home on Stephenson breech block of a 12-inch gun. When avenue, the American Security Bank this locked into place, it, also, is hermetically morning threw open its doors to the public, sealed. In the bottom compartment is a for inspection of the banking house and silver chest. transaction of business. The bank will The walls of the vault are 48 inches remain open this evening until 9 o’clock. thick, of solid concrete reinforced with a The attractiveness of the interior network of half-inch bars. They go through decorations was enhanced by baskets of to the basement, where they enclose the flowers placed on the desks and counters. stock vault for the keeping of the bank’s Carnations were given as souvenirs to the blanks and records. Above the vault door is lady visitors. Hundreds of people inspected an ornamental frame for a Western Union the bank throughout the day. clock. Organized Last Fall. “Cages” of iron grillwork, which has not Organization of the American Security yet been received, will be installed about Bank was effected last October, and the wickets. Plenty of room will be left for construction was begun the following the other work of the institution. month. Since then, the building has been in Attractively Decorated. course of construction, the interior fittings The interior is finished with buff walls, and decorating being completed last week. cream ceiling, and old ivory trim. A stencil Walnut and Tennessee marble make up border design will be added. Lighting will the interior finish of the bank, while the be furnished by semi-indirect fixtures. The walls are in buff, with stencil design, and latest vapor heating system has been the ceiling in cream, and old ivory trim. installed. The floor is of Tennessee marble. Semi-indirect art glass fixtures illuminate Four other suites of two rooms each the building. have been provided on the second floor To the right of the entrance is the and three of them have already been president’s office, and next to it the rented, Mr. Conrad declares. cashier’s desk. Beyond this are four

wickets. To the left of the entrance is the Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, public writing room, with desk, chair, and Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 1, settee, for the use of patrons and visitors. Number 30 [Saturday, May 14, 1921], The check desk, of marble, occupies the page 1, columns 5-6 center of the lobby, and a marble settee is

located along the north wall. AMERICAN SECURITY A door to the rear of the lobby gives BANK OPENED TODAY access to the safety deposit vault, the public telephone booth and the private _____ room where patrons may inspect the

7 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] contents of safety deposit boxes at their Number 30 [Saturday, May 14, 1921], leisure. page 1, column 7 Vault Is Massive. Space is provided for 600 deposit NEW BANK BUILDING boxes. One unit has already been installed, and many of the boxes rented. The SCENE OF WEDDING sections are installed behind the great steel _____ door, weighing three tons and built to withstand the flame of the oxy-acetylene E.H. Bussing and Miss torch, and which also seals the vault interior Maud Ward Married when closed. Back of another iron grill is the Last Evening manganese steel cash vault, five cubic feet _____ in capacity, and as nearly burglar proof as a vault can be made. Walls of reinforced With the clicking of adding machines concrete, 48 inches thick, enclose the vault, and typewriters, preparing for the business which was built by the Deibold company, of of “opening day,” as a wedding march, E.H. Canton, O. Bussing, of Danville, Ill., formerly of this Green Bay Cashier Here. city, and Miss Maud L. Ward, of Marquette, Besides Mr. Conrad and Douglas were united in marriage last evening in the Wheelock, bookeeper [sic – bookkeeper], president’s room of the American Security formerly of the Wausaukee State Bank, Bank, the Rev. Dr. J.F. Young, of the A.C. Smith, assistant cashier of the Citizens Presbyterian church, performing the National Bank, at Green Bay, is here to ceremony. They were attended by Mr. and attend the opening and to assist Mr. Conrad Mrs. V.N. Conrad; L.C. Booth, of Marquette, as teller. and Mrs. Bussing’s mother, Mrs. Sarah Currency was received yesterday, and, Ward, of the same city, also were present. after completing his examination, F.F. Mr. Bussing is a director of the bank, of Bernsteine, of the state banking which Mr. Conrad is cashier. He assisted in department, last night authorized the its organization, and has taken an active institution to open. The absence of the part in its affairs. Recently, he was bank examiner until yesterday afternoon transferred from the Marquette office of the prevented earlier announcement of the Burroughs Adding Machine company to the opening. Danville, Ill., office, as manager, taking The bank as organized has a capital charge of southern Illinois and part of and surplus of $120,000. The officers are: Indiana. He has retained his directorship in Dr. G.W. Earle, president; W.H. Scandling, the bank, however. vice president; A.A. Conrad, cashier. The He and his bride will leave tomorrow for directors are Dr. G.W. Earles [sic], W.H. Danville, making the trip by motor. Scandling, A.A. Conrad, James R. Spencer, John Elmer, R.H. James, A.H. Hooper, F.H. The Iron Mountain Daily News, Iron Bussing, and Henry Suino. Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 1, Number 68 [Wednesday, Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, June 29, 1921], page 2, column 2 Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 1, TO OPEN OFFICES 8 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

IN CITY TOMORROW Mr. Hanchette is a graduate of the _____ University of Wisconsin, and was recommended for the position by

acquaintances in Manistique, St. Paul and Dr. B. Eslick, dentist, and Dr. G. Stewart. Fredrickson, physician, have engaged an F.D. Cardinel, of Ladysmith, will hold the office suite in the American Security Bank position of assistant cashier, vacated by building and will be ready for business Miss Katherine Suino. Mr. Cardinel tommorrow [sic – tomorrow]. The waiting graduated from the Madison university last room will be used in common, while Dr. June and was recommended by the State Eslick’s office will be on one side and Dr. bank of Ladysmith. Fredrickson’s on the other.

Dr. Eslick has been associated with Dr. Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, G.H. Myers in Detroit since leaving the Dickinson County, Michigan, _____ service. Dr. Fredrickson has been Year, Number _____ [Wednesday, practicing in Chicago. He held a February 11, 1925], page ___, column 3 commission as first lieutenant, Medical

Corps, in the army. Before going to Chicago, he was associated for a time with RADIO TO AMUSE the Westerlin hospital, and did considerable PATRONS OF BANK other work about the county. _____ Both are Iron Mountain young men, and will have a wide circle to wish them success Receiving Set Is Installed in their new business. Today by American

The Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, Security Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 3, _____ Number 137 [Thursday, September 20, 1923], page 2, column 5 Entertainment for waiting patrons is the latest novelty in banking circles, the NEW CASHIER FOR American Security bank today installing a Deresnadyne radio receiving set that will be SECURITY BANK operated every evening the institution is _____ open. Hereafter customers who are lined up in Stewart, Minn., Man Ac- front of the windows impatiently awaiting cepts Position With their turn, shifting from foot to foot and then Institution standing upon each other’s feet, will find the tedium relieved through the miracle of _____ radio. And what could be more appropriate R.C. Hanchette, of Stewart, Minn., has than a talk on thrift or the principles of been secured as cashier for the American finance and banking as one stands, pass Security bank, it was announced today. He book in hand, waiting to put or take? will move here with his family in a few days ______and assume his new duties.

9 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

THE COMMERCIAL BANK OF IRON MOUNTAIN A New Bank in Iron Mountain. 110 East Ludington Street/ 500 Block South Stephenson Avenue The Range positively states, on the Iron Mountain assurance of interested parties, that a new bank will be established in H.D. Fisher’s The Iron Range, Iron Mountain, Dickinson building, at Iron Mountain, and be in County, Michigan, Volume XIII, Number operation by the first of March. Whether it 44 [Thursday, January 21, 1892], page will be a savings bank or a national is not 4, column 2 yet fully decided, but there is a strong probability that it will be the former. In New Bank Assured. either event it will have strong financial backing, and the management will be in We can state positively on the able hands. Oliver Evans severed his assurance of interested parties, [sic] that a connection with the First National Bank, of new bank will be established in Fisher’s that city, on Tuesday, and will be cashier of building, and be in operation by the first of the new bank. Mr. Evans has made himself March. Whether it will be a savings bank or very popular with the business men [sic – a national is not yet fully decided, but there businessmen] of this city during the time the is a strong probability that it will be the [sic – he] has been cashier of the First former. In either event it will have strong National, and his acceptance of the financial backing, and the management will cashiership of the new bank insures to that be in able hands. Mr. Oliver Evans has institution a liberal share of public severed his connection with the First patronage. Mr. Evans is succeeded by National and will be cashier of the new M.A. Northrop, of Bessemer, a gentleman bank. Mr. Evans has made himself very of large experience in the responsible popular with the business men [sic – duties of cashier. At the last annual businessmen] of this city during the time he meeting of the board of directors of the First has been cashier of the First National, and National, A.F. Wright tendered his his acceptance of the cashiership [sic] of resignation as vice-president, and will cast the new bank insures to that institution a his fortunes with the new enterprise. liberal share of public patronage. Mr. Evans is succeeded by Mr. M.A. Northrop, The Iron Range, Iron Mountain, Dickinson of Bessemer, a gentleman of large County, Michigan, Volume XIII, Number experience in the responsible duties of 47 [Thursday, February 11, 1892], page cashier. At the last annual meeting of the 1, column 5 board of directors of the First National, A.F. Wright tendered his resignation as vice- The Commercial Bank. president, and will cast his fortunes with the new enterprise. Articles of incorporation of the Commercial Bank of Iron Mountain, [sic] The Florence Mining News, Florence, have been filed with County Clerk Friedrich. Florence County, Wisconsin, Volume By its terms the nature of its business will XII, Number 5 [Saturday, January 23, be both that of a commercial and savings 1892], page 5, columns 1-2 bank, and the capital stock is $50,000 divided into 500 shares of $100 each. The 10 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] incorporators are Jesse Spaulding, of E. St. Arnold, Louis Arnold, W.H. Scandling, Chicago; Michael Corry, John F. Hancock, Wm. B. Allen, Edwin Freeman, E.A. and Francis A. Brown, of Marinette; John S. Ordway, E.J. Ingram, C.E. Parent, Dr. Wm. George and John H. Van Dyke, of Hutchinson. The names above mentioned, Milwaukee; H.D. Fisher, of Florence; Oliver particularly those heading the list, cannot Evans, A.F. Wright, Albert Levy, E.L. fail to give the public confidence in the Parmenter, Wm. Sundstrom, Lee Fordyce, solidity of the institution, while the Iron H.M. Pelham, D.H. Lieberthal, G.T. Mountain shareholders are leading and Corning, Meyer Kramer, A.M. Oppenheim, successful business men [sic – E. St. Arnold, Louis Arnold, Wm. H. businessmen]. The new bank, it is Scandling, Wm. B. Allen, Edwin Freeman, expected, will be ready for business by the E.A. Ordway, E.J. Ingram, C.E. Parent, Dr. 1st of March. – [Range. Wm. Hutchinson. The names above mentioned, particularly those heading the The Florence Mining News, Florence, list, cannot fail to give the public confidence Florence County, Wisconsin, Volume in the solidity of the institution, while the XII, Number 9 [Saturday, February 20, Iron Mountain shareholders are our leading 1892], page 5, column 5 and most successful business men [sic – businessmen]. The new bank, it is A SOUND INSTITUTION. expected, will be ready for business by the _____ 1st of March. Iron Mountain’s New Bank – Facts The Florence Mining News, Florence, Concerning Its Officers. Florence County, Wisconsin, Volume XII, Number 8 [Saturday, February 13, An enthusiastic meeting of the 1892], page 8, column 1 stockholders of the new Commercial Bank was held at Iron Mountain, Monday night. The New Bank. An organization was perfected by the election of the following excellent board of Articles of icorporation [sic – directors: Jesse Spalding, Chicago; J.F. incorporation] of the Commercial Bank of Hancock, F.A. Brown, Marinette; Oliver Iron Mountain have been filed with County Evans, M. Levy, F.C. Swart, H.M. Pelham, Clerk Friedrich. By its terms the nature of E.L. Parmenter, Jr., Iron Mountain. its business will be both that of a The directors subsequently elected commercial and savings bank, and the officers for the ensuing year as follows: capital stock is $50,000 divided into 500 President – Jesse Spalding. shares of $100 each. The incorporators are Vice President – Francis A. Brown. Jesse Spaulding, of Chicago; Michael Cashier – Oliver Evans. Corry, John F. Hancock and Francis A. The stock will be paid in by the 25th inst. Brown of, [sic – of,] Marinette; John S. [of this month] and the bank will be opened George and John J. Van Dyke, of for business March 1st. The names of the Milwaukee; H.D. Fisher, of Florence; Oliver directors are a sufficient guarantee of the Evans, A.F. Wright, Albert Levy, E.L. future success of the new institution. Jesse Parmenter, Wm. Sundstrom, Lee Fordyce, Spalding is one of the best known men and H.M. Pelham, D.H. Lieberthal, G.T. capitalists of Chicago, and Francis A. Corning, Meyer Kramer, A.M. Oppenheim, Brown is one of the leading, progressive 11 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] business men [sic – businessmen] of 51 [Thursday, March 10, 1892], page 1, Northern Wisconsin. He is also column 3 superintendent and general manager of the Ludington mine. The Commercial Bank will THE furniture for the Commercial bank get the bulk of Iron Mountain business. Its was received today. cashier, Oliver Evans, who is held in the highest esteem in Florence as well as at his Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, own home, Iron Mountain, is very popular in Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 2, Iron Mountain commercial circles, and Number 28 [Thursday, December 2, enjoys the unbounded confidence and 1897], page 1, column 5 respect of the public at large. He has had many years’ experience in the banking A STATE DEPOSITORY business and at the last election received _____ the unanimous vote of his fellow citizens for the office of city treasurer. Certain parties, The Commercial Bank of This City instigated, no doubt, by feelings of jealousy Selected by the State Authorities. or envy, recently attempted to cast a cloud _____ upon his official integrity by demanding and obtaining an investigation of his books. The Last Monday morning Cashier Evans, of result, as everybody expected, proved Mr. the Commercial Bank, received notification Evans to be an honest and careful from Lansing to the effect that his institution custodian of the city’s money, and the had been designated as a depository for people pin their faith on Oliver more than state funds for the upper peninsula. The ever before. His reputation remains selection of banks in which to deposit state unsullied and will so continue to remain, in funds is a duty that devolves upon a state spite of the efforts of disappointed non- treasurer, secretary of state, auditor- residents to prove otherwise. The general and commissioner of the state land “investigation,” it is said, was demanded, office, these officials composing the state partly, for political effect, but the outcome of board of auditors. This is done only after the whole spiteful business has only had the affairs of the bank in question, including the effect of strengthening Mr. Evans’ the liability of the stockholders, have been popularity with the people of all political carefully investigated, consequently the beliefs. officials of the Commercial Bank have

reason to feel exceedingly well pleased The Iron Range, Iron Mountain, Dickinson over the honor accorded their institution. It County, Michigan, Volume XIII, Number is a fine compliment and all will agree that it 49 [Thursday, February 25, 1892], page was deserved. 1, column 3

Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, THE new Commercial Bank room has Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 2, been ceiled with Bischoff sheet steel Number 30 [Thursday, December 16, ceiling. 1897], page 1, column 4

The Iron Range, Iron Mountain, Dickinson Commercial Bank Election. County, Michigan, Volume XIII, Number

12 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

At the annual meeting of the Modern Institution stockholders and directors of the _____ Commercial Bank held last Tuesday afternoon the following directors and Six Story Structure Represents Last officers were elected for the ensuing year: Word in Builder’s Art; Public Has President – Jesse Spalding [sic]. Watched Construction Vice-President – John F. Hancock. _____ Cashier – Oliver Evans.

Directors – Jesse Spalding [sic], John F. An event to which this community has Hancock, Anson F. Wright, Ed. L. looked forward since last April, the date that Parmenter, M. Levy, H.M. Pelham, Francis plans were first announced, will occur this A. Brown, James MacNaughton and M. Saturday, December 21, when the doors of Corry. the new Commercial bank building, located

between A and B streets on the west side The Iron Mountain Daily News, Iron of Stephenson avenue, will be opened to Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, the public. Volume 2, Number 240 [Saturday, Certainly a revelation is in store for January 27, 1923], page 1, column 6 those who visit this structure, the most modern and largest of its kind in the city. BANK RECEIVES No detail has been neglected to perfect a ELECTRIC SIGN harmonious achievement in the builder’s _____ art, and how well this has been accomplished will be fully evident. The Commercial bank received a 29- Construction of the building has been foot electric sign this morning which will be watched with interest, but after the walls hung on the side of the building facing had risen what went on inside was shielded Stephenson avenue. The sign has a blue from the gaze of those who passed by. It is background with white letters 18 inches in sufficient to say that scores of artisans have height. It will be illuminated the early part of been busy, until now the completed work next week. stands as a testimonial both to their talent and the initiative and progressiveness that The Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, inspired the project. Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 9, No Business Saturday. Number 213 [Thursday, December 19, No business will be transacted at the 1929, Special Section on Commercial bank on Saturday, the occasion being Bank] , page 2, columns 1-2 reserved entirely for inspection by the public between the hours of 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. On Sunday all of the records New Commercial Bank Will and securities at the old quarters in the Be Opened on Saturday Fisher building will be moved to the new _____ structure in preparation for business Monday morning. But that is all that will be moved, for from top to bottom the stem to Revelation In Store gudgeon the new home is just that, even to For Those Who Visit inkwells and penholders.

13 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

The building occupies an entire block a first hand view of an unquestionably fine facing on Stephenson avenue, with a depth building. of more than 30 feet. It is six stories and basement, but to increase the illusion of The Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, heighth [sic – height] the architectural lines Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 9, that predominate are perpendicular. Only Number 213 [Thursday, December 19, two floors, the first and mezzanine, extend 1929, Special Section on Commercial the full length of the block, with the center Bank] , page 2, column 6 section of four stories having somewhat the appearance of a tower. It is in this center section that the offices of the tenants will be New Commercial Bank Will located. Be Opened on Saturday Building Is Fireproof. _____ The building is of solid construction and fireproof. Materials used included concrete, brick and steel. There is but little wood, ENTIRE PROJECT and nearly all of that is in adornment, such PLACED IN HANDS [OF] as wainscoting. Door frames and like trims MOORMAN FIRM are metal, and the movable partitions in the _____ office quarters are also of the same material. Architects Will Deliver Aided by good weather, the builders Building Complete have proceeded rapidly, and there has been little delay. Although the office and To Bank store quarters are not yet completed, the _____ work is going forward on schedule. Opening of the banking room is being held At one time, some individual said, take in advance because it is entirely finished care of the details and the big things will and ready for occupancy. take care of themselves. In the receiving line Monday will be the If that be true, then the Commercial officers and directors of the bank, the men bank building should be perfect in every who are responsible for its erection and feature, for there is no item that the who had planned the project for two years architects, A. Moorman & Company, of before eventually reaching a decision as to Minneapolis, have overlooked. location and type of building. The care with It is seldom that such a complete job is which they went about their task is entrusted to the architects. However, in this disclosed by the structure, which will stand instance the company specializes in bank comparison with any bank home in the buildings, and specializes in them from the entire north country, and is far superior to first blueprint to the final placing of the most. inkwells on the desks. Souvenirs for women, men and children Even the opening date of the building is will be distributed at the opening, and there set by the architects, and the bank itself will also be music. So great has been the does not take possession until the formal public interest in the venture that thousands ceremonies are all over. are expected to be present Saturday, and “Deliver Building To Us” without doubt they are to be well repaid by 14 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

It is very much like the bank going to a Officers And Directors firm and saying, “We will pay you so much for a building delivered F.O.B. in Iron Men Well Known In Civic Mountain. No strings, spot cash, and the Life Of This Community type of building we desire and want. _____ And the architects reply, “We will furnish you with a certain type of building and a Jesse Spaulding Was First certain type of equipment at the price you President, Followed by James specify.” In round words, that is what the McNaughton And O.C. Davidson; construction of the Commercial bank Resources Grew building means. _____ The contract for the building and bank fixtures was awarded to A. Moorman & Organized in March, 1892, thirty-seven Company. They guaranteed the price. years ago, the Commercial bank has The architects awarded all individual enjoyed uninterrupted progress. contracts and supervised the erection and With a paid in capital of $50,000, its equipment of the structure. Their statement at the close of the first day’s representative on the job was George J. business was $77,232.99. Today the Morrison. resources total $2,929,541.27, and the When the building is finally turned over capitalization now stands at $100,000.00. to the purchasers it will be complete in Older residents of Iron Mountain will well every respect. remember the first president, Jesse Nothing will be missing, nothing will be Spaulding. Other officers were Frances [sic overlooked. Everything will be in place, – Francis] A. Brown, vice-president; Oliver even to furnishing cleaning materials for Evans, cashier and director, and A.F. various surfaces, naming the days on which Wright, H.M. Pelham, E.L. Parmenter, Sr., the janitors are to send their clothing to the Frank C. Smart, Mandel Levy and J.F. laundry, giving instructions how to polish Hancock, directors. the brass, marble, silver, steel and other Since that day the personnel directing materials, and supplying the brushes for the institution has undergone an entire sweeping out. revision, due to removal from the community and death. The Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, The bank first found it necessary to Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 9, name a new president in 1900, when Mr. Number 213 [Thursday, December 19, Spaulding passed away. At that time it 1929, Special Section on Commercial selected James McNaughton, now Bank] , page 3, columns 1-2 president of the world famous Calumet & Hecla Mining company. Mr. McNaughton held the office for two years, when he Progress Has Marked moved from Iron Mountain, again leaving to History of Commercial the institution the task of choosing a new leader. Bank Davidson New President. _____ On this occasion O.C. Davidson, superintendent of the Oliver Iron Mining 15 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] company on the Menominee and Gogebic ranges and one of the leading mining men of the country, was elected president. Mr. Progress Has Marked Davidson is still president of the bank, History of Commercial which, under his direction, has advanced steadily and surely. Bank In the meantime, a new cashier also _____ was named, this occurring in 1917, when Wilbur W. Thompson was promoted to the JANITORS FIND position. Mr. Thompson had been with the bank many years previously, starting at the PLENTY OF WORK lowest rung and working his way up. He is IN NEW BUILDING the present cashier, and it was largely _____ through his insistence and counsel that the board of directors was convinced of the Chart Outlines Their Du- advisability of erecting the new building. ties For Every Period Other officers of the bank are William Kelly, vice-president; E.G. Kingsford, vice- In Year president; Frank O. Morett, assistant _____ cashier; and E.F. Sandercock, assistant cashier. These men have all been Thorough and efficient janitor service for prominently identified in the life of the every office on all six floors of the new community and, as is well known, have Commercial bank building, and also for the contributed greatly to its advancement. one store space, is worthy of mention in Board of Directors. emphasizing the service features of the In addition to Mr. Davidson, Mr. newly-completed structure. Thompson, Mr. Kelly and Mr. Kingsford, Two men will be employed for that work, directors of the bank include M.J. Bacco, and their’s [sic – theirs] is no mean task. contractor; F.C. Cole, owner of the City Posted in a prominent place in the Lumber yard; C.H. Baxter, professor at the basement are charts showing the daily, Michigan College of Mines and Technology, semi-weekly, weekly, semi-monthly, Houghton; Henry G. Neuens, retired monthly, semi-annually and annual tasks pioneer business man [sic – businessman], that must be attended to by the janitors. and Raymond Turner, prominent attorney. These regulations are laid out, originally, by Each of the directors is well known, and the architects themselves and are part of they possess the advantage of having been the service plan provided by them. long time residents of this community, well The charts show the color and type of acquainted with its problems and uniform to be worn by the janitors – in this sympathetically interested in them. case, blue and white. Each of the two janitors must own at least two complete The Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, uniforms, and a suit must be sent to the Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 9, laundry once each week. The name Number 213 [Thursday, December 19, “Commercial Bank” appears on the hats 1929, Special Section on Commercial and coats of each outfit. Bank] , page 3, columns 3-5 No Question of Duties.

16 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

In addition, the charts set forth, _____ specifically, the duties of each janitor in respect to the care of the heating plant, Establishment To Be One electrical equipment, lighting arrangement Of Features Of Bank and all other details pertaining to the care of the structure. Even the type of cleaning Building materials to be used on the marble base _____ and counters, in the banking quarters and all other fixtures, is not overlooked, and a Occupying the corner site fronting the separate treatment is required for each. southwest intersection of Stephenson For instance, water cannot be used on avenue and B street, lighted by 34 the light marble counters. However, a windows, and with a floor space of 68 by 28 damp cloth will do the work – and that is feet, the store building to be occupied by specified in the chart. Singularly, a certain the Buchman Drug company is a feature of brand of shoe polish works best on the the new Commercial bank building. marble used for the base structure, and that Every fixture – from the smallest too is pointed out in the charts. decorative panel to the new liquid carbonic Every office, every foot of store space soda fountain and built-in luncheonette – must be cleaned before the tenants arrive will be new. Not a single “stick” used in the in the morning. That duty is divided, each old Buchman store will be moved to the janitor taking charge of certain floors. new. And most of the stock as well will be There are 13 offices and one store. fresh from the packing boxes. Once a day the rubber mats in the Windows For Display. foyers, inside the entrances, must be lifted The main entrance to the drug store and cleaned, and the floor beneath it fronts on B street, but is near the scrubbed. There are numerous other intersection of Stephenson. Each of the duties – and all are specified in the janitors’ lower windows will be equipped with charts. decorative light fixtures and used exclusively for display. Every window will The Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, be trimmed in American walnut. One, the Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 9, large display window facing B street, will be Number 213 [Thursday, December 19, fitted for novelty and specialty displays. 1929, Special Section on Commercial The floor is of Italian tile, in red and Bank] , page 3, columns 5-6 green. The walls and ceiling are of varying light-colored tints, with the decorative stencils designed and applied by Steve Progress Has Marked Portermain, of Rochester, Minn. History of Commercial Portermain has planned the interior decorative scheme of many public buildings Bank and private homes throughout the _____ northwest. Near the entrance, along the east wall, BUCHMAN STORE will be located three luncheon booths, with three more situated at the north end of the TO HAVE WALNUT same side wall. In the center there will be a FIXTURE LAYOUT modern, liquid carbonic soda fountain and 17 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] luncheonette, embodying every new The Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, feature. There is even a compartment for Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 9, the preservation, at the temperature meant Number 215 [Thursday, December 19, for them, of biologicals used in the drug 1929, Special Section on Commercial business. Bank] , page 3, column 6 Decorative Cases. Along the west wall will be the electrically-lighted and decorative cases for Progress Has Marked the display of perfumes, novelties and History of Commercial specialty goods. These cases, like the display windows, are to be finished in Bank American walnut, with polychrome _____ trimming. Two telephone pay-stations are MATERIALS FROM provided. In addition to the six booths, four tables, MANY COMPANIES at the north end of the shop, and eight IN NEW BUILDING seats at the soft drink counter will be _____ available. The fountain will be 16 feet in length. General Construction Con- Eighteen lights, of modernistic design, Tract Was Held By with low-hanging, tapered chandeliers, will give adequate illumination, and wall lights Phelps-Drake will also be available for the luncheon _____ booths. Bakery Department. Many firms furnished the materials and At the east and south the north wall is a equipment in the new Commercial bank bakery, which will be given over wholly to building. the gift and art department in charge of Mrs. And sources of the material were on Ray Hubley. The latest in art and novelty foreign shores as well as in this country. goods will be available there. The railing, The general construction contract was overlooking the sales floor, is hammered, held by the Phelps-Drake company, and wrought iron, finished in bronze and black. work was begun last spring as soon as the All of the radiators in the store will be basement excavation had been completed hidden and covered with asbestos to by Joseph Mongrain. Little delay was prevent any possibility of fire, or injury to encountered and the structure rapidly took the walnut furnishings. shape. A door at the rear provides access to The plumbing and heating contract was the banking quarters and the elevator in the given to Arthur Bourgeois. All fixtures are building. of the most modern type, while the large While the Buchman store will not be boiler in the basement is heated with an oil open for inspection Saturday, it is hoped burner. the installation of fixtures and stock may be The Meyers Electric company, of completed by about January 15. Oshkosh, Wis., held the electrical contract, and the intricate installation was completed without flaw. 18 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

Etched glass was made by a Chicago One reason for the perfect appointment firm, a Minneapolis concern manufactured is that the entire job was in the hands of the light fixtures, two other northwest firms one architectural firm, responsible for finished the tile and marble, the wrought everything from construction of the walls to iron cages came from St. Paul, doors from placing the inkwells on the specially Chicago, the oil burner from California, designed walnut desks. furniture from Wisconsin and Iowa. There is a theme note in the banking Face brick was obtained from the room in the wrought iron cages. Originally Service & Supply company, of Iron a different pattern has [sic – had] been Mountain, wood supplies were obtained perfected, but this was changed inasmuch from the City Lumber Yard here, and as iron is symbolical of the country in which shades were purchased from the Home the bank has thrived. Furniture company, of this city. The design of the cages is by no means Insofar as possible local labor was ordinary and the wrought iron has a silver employed on the job, this being one of the tint produced by several coats of a dark provisions of the bank’s contract with the lacquer which was then burnished to bring architects. out the highlights. No Customer Delays. The Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, There are six cages with two windows Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 9, each, and each window is numbered and Number 213 [Thursday, December 19, has its own special title. While usually only 1929, Special Section on Commercial one man will work in a cage, the Bank] , page 4, columns 1-5 arrangement permits placing two men in one during busy hours, so that customers will in no way be delayed. Harmony Keynote In A special shaded light illuminates the Fixtures, Decoration title over each cage and also furnishes light for the employe [sic – employee]. Of Commercial’s Aperatures [sic – Apertures] in the wicket Home provide for furnishing one telephone for _____ every two cages. Each cage has a door with automatic lock, and should the teller or other employe [sic – employee] have Directors’ Room at One End, material for the bookkeepers he places this With Bookkeeping Department in a trip basket which permits its removal At Other, Overlook Principal from the outside. Counters and other furniture in the Quarters cages is of walnut, fitting in with the other _____ furniture. The base of the cages is of marble, the Search far and wide and comparatively main foundation being light toned, with a few banking rooms will be found as baseboard of dark red. harmonious and comprehensive in their Basic Color Is Green. arrangement as that in the new Commercial The general standard, or basic, color bank building. scheme of the room is of green, with ornamental stencils of unique design on the 19 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] cross-beamed ceiling. This is embellished name of the employe [sic – employee] by a silver finish in a drop border and within, the officers’ quarters is reached. panels beneath the upper tier of windows. Walnut desks built according to special The walls are of a green with highlights, specifications are provided for the cashier the appearance being enhanced by the and assistant cashier. Because of the textoned [sic] finish. commodious area there is entire confidence At the south end of the banking room in conversations. the patron enters through tall metal and Jutting off of the officers’ quarters is a glass doors, the framework of which carried private office, walnut empanelled and with a out the wrought iron design. At the left of unique lighting fixture, that will be used by these doors, on entering is the grill door, the cashier. So detailed is the entire with electrical lock operated by an arrangement, that a plug in the center of the attendant, that gives access to the bond floor provides the taps for both the booths and vault. telephone and desk lamps. The bond booths are of especial interest In the wall at the north end of the to those who have safety deposit boxes. banking room will be noticed a grating, To gain admittance the customer notifies which is the mouth of the ventilating the attendant in the last cage. He presses system. A blower system will maintain a the button operating the lock on the grill constant flow of fresh air, warm in winter door, which then opens and closes after the and cool in summer. customer has entered. Each safety deposit Lighting Fixtures. box has two keys, one possessed by the Three huge chandeliers will illuminate customer and the other by the attendant. the banking room. They are ponderous but Both unlock the safety deposit box, which is artistic in design and hang suspended by then removed, and the customer enters a four metal cords. More than 6,000 bond booth after it has been unlocked by candlepower are contained in these three the attendant. In [the] event a customer, lights, each of which has a three-way switch after leaving the booth, which is controlling it. The chandeliers, also of automatically locked when he departs, special design, are of a sort of inverted should have forgotten something, he must smoked, or shaded, glass enclosed cone. call an attendant, who opens the door and Along the walls are other fixtures of both investigate together. modernistic type which light up the Five Booths. customers’ check writing desks and the There are four booths of sufficient size leather upholstered, with marble frame, for one customer, and a fifth of larger benches. accommodations for the convenience of A few steps from the officers’ quarters groups which may be settling an estate or will be found a short flight of stairs leading providing other business. to the mezzanine floor upon which is the The bond booths are of walnut, with directors’ room. Walnut panelling [sic – modernistic lighting fixtures. The floor in paneling] in this room is three-quarters of this room is of the same flexible finish as in the way up the wall, with an odd and highly the working quarters of the banking room, attractive finish for the molding and ceiling. both to provide easy walking and to deaden A large and altogether entrancing fixture interference from noise. lights the center of the walnut table about Advancing along the cages, which are which is arranged the chairs of the glass enclosed and each of which bears the directors. 20 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

At the south end of the banking room is The entire arrangement of the banking another flight of stairs leading to the room has been laid out with one thought in bookkeeping department, this arrangement mind, harmony and appointment, at the being another innovation in this part of the same time preserving life. Visitors to the country. bank will be surprised by the dignity of tone Bookkeeping Department. and at the same time the modernistic Ordinarily the bookkeeping department atmosphere that predominates. is on the main floor with the banking room. In this instance, it has been established on The Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, the mezzanine floor, with a window Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 9, overlooking the main banking room. Number 213 [Thursday, December 19, At this window is located the telephone 1929, Special Section on Commercial switchboard through which every telephone Bank] , page 5, columns 1-5 in the bank will be controlled. Surveying as she does from her position the entire banking room and bookkeeping office, the Sound-Proof Ceiling operator will be able to tell immediately In Bookkeeping Room whether a person called for is in the building. One of Many Features The ceiling of the bookkeeping _____ department is surfaced with a sound deadening material of waffle-like Compressor Furnishes Air appearance that absorbs sound waves. This is intended to eliminate the distraction Pressure To All Dental of noise of the computation machines. Offices; Partitions Are Of A door opening off the bookkeeping Movable Type department leads to the mezzanine floor _____ lobby and elevator landing, with another door off the same corridor into the A sound-proof ceiling in the insurance department conducted by the bookkeeping department that reduce [sic – Commercial Insurance Agency. Thus the reduces] the average talking voice to a insurance agency may be reached both whisper; a central compressed air plant on through the bank and the regular elevator the sixth floor for dental and medical service and stairway. equipment used in the building; movable Tile Floor. partitions that permit the re-arrangement of To return to the main banking room, the room-space [sic – room space] without floor in the customers’ section is of a very damage to the permanent structure – these attractive design in tile. On the other hand, and many other special features mark the the floor in the working space behind the new Commercial Bank building as one of cages is of a special composition which is the outstanding achievements of its kind in resilient to the pressure of feet and reduces the northern district of Michigan. noise. Only one of the office spaces in the six- Lobby entrances at both the north and story structure will be vacant when all of the south ends also have tile floors, with a present applicants have moved in – and square in the center into which fits a large that is the room which comprises the sixth rubber mat that will be cleaned daily. 21 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] floor. Although the elevator does not reach of cutting into the walls, tearing away the to that floor, a short flight of stairs gives plaster or otherwise defacing the building access to it from the fifth. And the top-floor with alterations. Partitions will be placed compartment is by no means the least according to the instructions of the tenants attractive in the building, for it affords an themselves. excellent view of the city and surrounding Unusually attractive are the fittings and territory. decorative effects provided for the private Every room in the new bank building is office of the cashier and the directors’ room. adequately equipped with light and These are also equipped with private telephone fixtures, with extra floor plugs for lavatories. The cashier’s office being electrical equipment. Each room will also located off the main floor and the directors’ be attractively decorated. There is hardly room is on the mezzanine floor above. an inch of waste [sic – wasted] space Once each day every foot of floor space throughout the building. will be swept and cleaned by the janitors – Basement Layout. and that must be done before the first office In the basement are located the men’s is opened for business in the morning. That and women’s lockers and washrooms, the service is provided also for the Buchman oil-heating plant, the central electrical Drug store and the barbershop in the control units, and a room designed for use basement. as a barber shop. Printed instructions tell the janitors what must be done each day, The Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, week, month or year to keep the equipment Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 9, in perfect condition and repair. Number 213 [Thursday, December 19, Overlooking the banking quarters on the 1929, Special Section on Commercial third floor is the book-keeping [sic – Bank] , page 6, columns 1-2 bookkeeping] department and “PHX,” or telephone switchboard. The telephone operator will sit at a window overlooking the Mere Cough Will Set banking room so that, at a glance, she can Off Burglar Alarm In tell whether or not the party called for is in the bank. One telephone is provided for Bank’s Heavy Vault each two cages, and there will be a total of _____ from 12 to 15 instruments in the bank. The offices on the third, fourth and fifth System Offers Utmost floor are roomy, bright and adequately suited for the purposes for which they have Protection And Leaves No been rented. For the most part they will be Vital Point Without Fullest occupied by dentists and doctors. The Safeguard. elevator, centrally located, gives ready _____ access to each floor, and stairs are provided for those using the building at So finely adjusted that a cough, low night, when elevator service is not whistle, slight knock or the merest vibration available. within the safe deposit vault will set off the The steel partitions may be moved alarm bell outside the building, the safety about and placed in any position. This is intended primarily to eliminate the necessity 22 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] alarm system in the new Commercial bank Hidden within the massive steel door fo is the most up-to-date that can be obtained. the vault is the hair-trigger mechanism To see the alarm system in action is which, like that on the outside depository, mystifying enough. To hear it explained is needs but a touch – the slightest knock, to baffling, for it [is] far more intricate and tip off the alarm system. Set when the vault delicate than the fine workings of a watch. is closed at the end of the day, the Yet, in every test at the conclusion of the mechanism in the 13-ton door, tuned to the installation, it never once failed in operation. alarm system inside, is alert throughout the Extending from the more obvious night. avenues of approach from the outside to Microphones Catch Sounds. the out-of-the-way places within, and woven Within the vault, attached to the ceiling, into the massive walls of the structure, the are two microphones, so keenly tuned that alarm system provides a net-work [sic – a low whistle, clap of the hands or slight tap network] of highly responsible mechanism on the wall conveys the message to the that wholly eliminates any reasonable gong. To attempt to remove or in any way possibility of breaking and entering. disturb either microphone would set up an And within reach of every employe [sic – immediate clatter. Not the slightest sound employee] in the bank proper is a hidden made within or near the vault when the button, available to hand or foot, and which microphones are set can escape their at the slightest pressure releases the gong “ears.” outside. It is a gong, incidentally, which In each cage, private office or other cannot be mistaken for any other bell in the department of the bank are the hidden city. buttons. There is hardly a square foot of All Protected. space in the banking quarters themselves There is no beginning to this alarm where the buttons are not immediately system – and no end. For purposes of available. In the cages they can be description one may start at the small but reached from any angle with scarcely a solidly-built depository door just to the right move of the body. of the main entrance. Wound around the Vault Ventilator. heavy metal box, or container, is a series of After years of experimental research finely-adjusted wires which respond to the work there has finally been developed a slightest touch of a metal tool. device which will provide fresh air in the That isn’t all. A torch or heated event an employe [sic – employee] is instrument of any kind has the same effect. locked within a vault and an aperature [sic – In either case, the mechanism responds aperture], also, through which food and immediately, and away goes the gong. drink may be passed, all without in any way Money-bags [sic – Moneybags] dropped in endangering the valuables locked inside. there are as safe as if placed in the main The new Commercial Bank building has vault itself. such a device, and it is the latest in The central control plant for the intricate scientific achievement. alarm system is located within the vault. It To the right of the main entrance, in the is a marvel of scientific achievement and foyer of the building and built into the west almost human in its response. There is a wall may be seen what looks like merely a maze of wires, contacts and finely-adjusted round, metal disk. It is the outlet to the parts. freshair aperature [sic – fresh air aperture]

23 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] inside the vault. It cannot be opened from following morning. To attempt to force an the outside. entrance through the 13-ton door and At the other end, inside the vault, is casing would be futile. It was built to make fixed a solid metal plug, four-inches [sic – that as nearly impossible as science and four inches] in diameter, and built of invention could make it. manganese and copper. It cannot be The vault, complete in every detail, with drilled or burned. A heavy metal pin directly its central alarm control in full view, and all through it, and accesible [sic – accessible] the mechanism which it governs will be from the inside, holds it in place. available for inspection at the opening The pin which holds the plug in place Saturday. It should prove highly interesting. will stand 60,000 pounds pressure, while the plug itself weighs 65 pounds. Around The Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, the steel tube, and covered with wax which Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 9, will melt when the slightest heat is applied, Number 215 [Saturday, December 21, are thin wire coils, connected with the 1929] , page 2, column 4 central control. Tampering with the tube at either end, with a sharp instrument or a HUNDREDS TURN torch, will immediately set off the alarm. By removing the pin the person within OUT AT OPENING may likewise remove the plug. That act OF BANK’S HOME alone starts the alarm gong. Hanging on _____ the wall near the aperature [sic – aperture] is an accessory device – a hollow tube with a fan at the inner end – which when slid into Officers Hold Open the opening and plugged to a light switch Housed [sic – House]; draws in the fresh air and drives out the old. Structure Is Praised Its operation is infallible. It cannot go wrong. An automatic trap controlling the By Visitors steel disc on the outer wall is sprung when _____ the hollow tube is inserted. Thus, the person locked inside may sit Officers and directors of the new near the aperature [sic – aperture] in Commercial bank, Stephenson avenue and perfect comfort. True, he cannot be B street, were holding open house from 2 to released from his secure niche until the 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today to hundreds of timelock [sic – time lock] permits the vault interested persons, many of whom waited door to be opened in the morning, but he considerable time for the doors to open this may sit at the air vent with as much comfort afternoon. as his situation may afford, smoke, Shortly before 2 o’clock every officer converse with persons at the other end and, and employe [sic – employee] was in the if hungry, receive food and drink with ease. place which he will occupy when the The question may be asked; [sic] why establishment opens for business Monday cannot an employe [sic – employee] locked morning, December 23. inside be released until morning? Because, It is difficult to estimate the number of when the time clock is set inside the vault visitors who strolled through the spacious door, nothing – no one – can open it unitl it banking quarters during the afternoon. It is automatically unlocked at that hour the was an ever-increasing flow of traffic. 24 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

It was impossible for the bank employes employes [sic – employees] and officers [sic – employees] to give individual were busy showing the visitors about and attention to everyone who came in, but explaining the working departments of the every effort was made to answer the establishment. Souvenirs were given to as numerous questions asked, and to explain many as the employes [sic – employees] in detail every part of the arrangement. could reach. Vault of Interest. Plenty of Business. Two features attracted interest and This morning, at 9 o’clock, the bank attention. They were the new elevator and opened for business, and judging from the the massive and intricate vault, with its activity throughout the day, there was triple time lock and burglar alarm. plenty of it. All of the money, supplies, Every visitor highly praised the bank’s fixtures and other equipment were moved new home, and found it even more beautiful yesterday, while state troopers and county than had been anticipated. and state police accompanied the truck- loads of money and securities, and stood The Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, by with loaded rifles while the valuables Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 9, were being taken form the old bank and Number 216 [Monday, December 23, moved into the new. 1929] , page 3, columns 1-2 Although new safety-deposit boxes are provided in the bank’s new home, some of 12,000 PERSONS the old ones were transferred yesterday and will be retained temporarily, until the ARE VISITORS AS necessary readjustments are made within NEW BANK OPENS the vault. Customers today found the well- _____ appointed “clipping rooms” near the vault, a decided convenience. Some of the tenants in the offices of the Paul Khoury, Jr., And floors above the bank began today to move Henry Neuns [sic – Neuens] in their equipment, although most of them, it First To Make Deposits is understood, will wait until after January 1 to make the change. One feature worthy of _____ note is that, as nearly as could be determined today, all of the furniture and Crowding every available foot of space, fixtures to be moved in, with the exception from 12,000 to 15,000 visitors, according of the mechanical and analytical equipment the architect’s estimate, attended the formal used by the doctors and dentists, will be opening of the new Commercial bank new. building here Saturday afternoon and Employes [sic – employees] of the evening. Certain it is that every moment of insurance department of the bank this the scheduled hours from 2 to 5 and from 7 morning completed the transfer of their files to 9 p.m. a steady stream of humanity and records, hauling up the heavy cases in weaved in and out of the structure. the new mechanical lift. Starting from the moment the doors Occupy Desks. were opened at 2 o’clock and continuing Wilbur W. Thompson, cashier, and until the last of the pushing file had reached Frank Morett, assistant, occupied their the street after 9 o’clock Saturday night, desks at the north end of the building for 25 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] the first time this morning. Ora Meries, Great excitement existed at Iron plant chief for the Michigan Bell Telephone Mountain and other towns on the range this company, and Miss Amelia Wilmers, chief week over the failure of the Merchants’ operator at the local branch, assisted in and Miners’ Bank of the former place. The opening the new FBR switchboard which collapse of the concern was sudden and provides phone service to every department altogether unexpected, and hundreds of of the bank. depositors, the majority of whom are poor Paul Khoury, Jr., son of the proprietor of people, will probably lose nearly all of their the Blackstone shoe-shine and smoke money. The Range estimates the liabilities parlor, was the first customer to make a of the defunct institution at from $10,000 to savings deposit in the new bank. He was $15,000, and says that J.L. Edwards, the waiting, at 9 o’clock, when the door opened. proprietor, owns and has an interest in Henry Nuens [sic – Neuens], a director, several tracts of valuable mineral lands and made the first checking deposit this will probably be able to pay his debts dollar morning before leaving for DePere, Wis., to for dollar. It is reported, however, that the spend the holidays with relatives. liabilities will aggregate fully $35,000. If this ______proves to be the case, it is extremely unlikely that the unfortunate depositors will FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF IRON realize more than from 25 to 50 cents on the dollar. At last accounts Edwards was MOUNTAIN-KINGSFORD said to be in Chicago, where he went to South Stephenson Avenue endeavor to raise money on his lands in order to meet his obligations. Richard The Florence Mining News, Florence, White, who runs butcher shops in this city Florence County, Wisconsin, Volume and at Iron Mountain, was among the VII, Number 42 [Saturday, October 15, heaviest losers. He is said to have lost 1887], page 5, column 4 $2,600. The day before the failure Mr. White purchased a draft for $1,400 on a UNHAPPY DEPOSITORS. Chicago bank, and the money was not _____ forwarded. Rundle Brothers, the well- known Iron Mountain hardware dealers, FAILURE OF THE BANK AT IRON also lost a considerable sum. The bank MOUNTAIN. was originally started at Norway by Chas. L. Anderson, who afterwards moved it to _____ Iron Mountain, and a year or two ago sold out to Edwards. The Green Bay Advocate J.L. Edwards, Proprietor of the says that a suspicion is expressed that the Merchants and Miners’ Bank Makes latter has skipped to Canada with the An Assignment – A Large Number of available funds. The assignment was made Poor People Among the Depositors – to J.S. Shafer. A National Bank Organized – A Large Iron Mountain, like many other towns, Budget of Interesting Social and has had enough of irresponsible private Personal Gossip. banking institutions, and hereafter the _____ people of that enterprising burg will do business only with national banks. The First National Bank of Iron Mountain was 26 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] organized last Monday evening, with the following incorporators: A.F. Wright, President Wood and Cashier Pearse of Quinnesec; John Perkins, F. Copeland, the National Bank have been in the city this D.F. Mullens, B.W. Jones, E.S. Roberts, week, and the bank will be open for Vulcan; John R. Wood, Appleton, Wis.; business by the first of November. Oliver Evans, A.D. Moore, H. McLaughlin, Wm. Oliver, W.S. Laing, The Florence Mining News, Florence, R.P. Tuten, E.P. Foster, J.T. Jones, G.T. Florence County, Wisconsin, Volume Corning, E.J. Ingram, C.E. Parent, H.E. VII, Number 44 [Saturday, October 29, Pearse, Iron Mountain; J.B. Maas, Samuel 1887], page 5, column 3 Mitchell, Edward Lobb, Negaunee. Mr. Evans is a son-in-law of H.D. Fisher, of this LOCAL BREVITIES. city, and the other gentlemen are well and favorably known in Florence. The board of The NEW National Bank at Iron directors is composed of John R. Wood, Mountain will be ready for business on A.F. Wright, H.E. Pearce, Oliver Evans, Tuesday next. John Perkins, Wm. Oliver, W.S. Laing, C.E. Parent and Samuel Mitchell. The officers of The Current, Norway, Menominee County, the new bank are as follows: John R. Michigan, Volume III, Number 41 Wood, president; A.F. Wright, vice- [Saturday, November 12, 1887], page 1, president; H.E. Pearse, cashier; Oliver column 4 Evans, assistant cashier. The capital stock is $50,000. The bank will probably be RAMBLINGS: IRON MOUNTAIN. ready for business by the first of November. A national bank is needed in Florence, but The First Nat. Bank has received the until one is organized, many of the local necessary permit, and opened its doors for business men [sic- businessmen] will most business. likely patronize the new concern at Iron Mountain. The Diamond Drill, Crystal Falls, Iron County, Michigan, Volume I, Number 42 The Current, Norway, Menominee County, [Saturday, November 5, 1887], page 4, Michigan, Volume III, Number 37 column 2 [Saturday, October 15, 1887], page 1, column 2 The new National bank at Iron Mountain opened for business on Tuesday. –A National Bank has been organized at Iron Mountain, with John A. [sic – R.] Wood, The Current, Norway, Menominee County, of Appleton, as president. There is no Michigan, Volume III, Number 47 doubt of its being a success from the start. [Saturday, December 24, 1887], page 1, column 4 The Current, Norway, Menominee County, Michigan, Volume III, Number 39 –By consent of Uncle Sam, the First [Saturday, October 29, 1887], page 8, National Bank of Iron Mountain has begun column 1 the issue of bank notes, with the names of H.E. Pearse and Anson Wright as cashier RAMBLINGS: IRON MOUNTAIN. and vice-president respectively. 27 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

afternoon, and who smoked cigarettes The Current, Norway, Menominee County, persistently all the time, must have thrown Michigan, Volume III, Number 50 the ends of their cigarettes into the [Saturday, January 14, 1888], page 8, sawdust-filled papier-mache spittoon, and column 2 that these had smouldered [sic – smoldered] until they had at last eaten IRON MOUNTAIN. through sawdust and spittoon, and done the damage now reported. A meeting of the Directors of the First National Bank of Iron Mountain was held on The Current, Norway, Menominee County, Tuesday, at which the old corps of officers Michigan, Volume __, Number __ were re-elected and the name of J.B. Maas [Saturday, December 20, 1890], page 1, substituted for that of Sam, [sic – Sam.] column 6 Mitchell, as one of the directors. Mr. Mitchell’s many business interests making it Ramblings. impossible for him to give his personal attention to the business. There was a little excitement at Iron Mountain this week, and for a time it was The Menominee Range, Iron Mountain, thought that there would be a run on the 1st Menominee County, Michigan, Volume National Bank, of that place, but all XI, Number 2 [Thursday, April 4, 1889], demands were promptly met, and the loss page 4, column 2 of confidence was shortlived.

A Narrow Escape from Blazes. Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 2, Dickie Silverwood, one of the occupants Number 24 [Thursday, November 4, of the Bank building, on Friday night, 1897], page 1, column 5 thought he smelt [sic – smelled] fire somewhere in his vicinity, and a very short BUSINESS BLOCK SOLD. investigation led him to believe that the fire _____ was in the next room, which is occupied by Justice Bergeron as a courtroom. When he entered that room he found it filled with John R. Wood’s Interest in the smoke, and a glowing red spot in the floor First National Bank Block near the wall showed him where the Sold to Hoose & Co. mischief was at work. A few buckets of _____ water soon quenched the smouldering [sic – smoldering] fire, which had already eaten At an early hour yesterday morning The a large hole right through the floor, above Press was in possession of information to Wright Bro’s store, besides blistering the the effect that John R. Wood had sold his base board [sic – baseboard] panelling [sic interest in the First National Bank building – paneling]. Dave Bergeron says he can to Jay W. Hoose and Edward W. Eaton. only account for the affair by presuming that Mr. Hoose returned on the morning train two Jewish peddlers, who were taking out from Appleton, where he had been garnishee warrants before him late in the conferring with Mr. Wood, and in an

28 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] interview with The Press confirmed the attractiveness and convenience of the report. Mr. Hoose says the consideration institution. The present fixtures are to be was $20,000. The property transferred replaced with others of a more modern consists of the three stores on Stephenson design that will extend directly across the avenue with the eleven offices above and room. The new fixtures are of oak finished the building occupied by Brauns & Van and in the natural wood, and are expected daily the city council rooms. There is a mortgage from the factory. for $10,000 on the property, which Hoose & Eaton assume. A number of applications The Iron Mountain Daily News, Iron for the vacant stores on Stephenson Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, avenue have already been filed. Hoose & Volume 1, Number 146 [Friday, Eaton will not moved [sic – move] their September 30, 1921], page 3, columns meat market to the building as has been 1-4 reported, but will remain at the old stand. Bank to Open Its New Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 2, Home Tomorrow Number 29 [Thursday, December 9, _____ 1897], page 1, column 4 Thirty-four years of successful banking New Business House. will be celebrated tomorrow evening when the remodeled First National bank is thrown The Press learns that Messrs. Kullgren open for the inspection of the public. The and Hanson, two of the best known formal opening will take place between 8 salesmen in the city, have leased one of the and 11 p.m., and will be accompanied by vacant stores in the Wood block and will music and refreshments. engage in the dry goods and clothing Completion of the remodeling has given business. Mr. Kullgren was formerly the bank the right to claim itself the employed at M. Levy & Co.’s and Mr. handsomest banking house in the upper Hansen [sic – Hanson] at the Paris store. peninsula, and probably the finest north of The gentlemen are now in Chicago buying Milwaukee. For facilities, it is unexcelled goods and expect to have everything in anywhere. readiness for the reception of customers in Work on remodeling of the interior of the about ten days. institution has been in progress since last December, under the supervision of F.E. Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Parmelee & Son, architects and Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 5, superintendents. Progress has been Number 11 [Thursday, August 2, 1900], necessarily slow in order to cause the page 1, column 3 minimum interruption to business and least disturbance of the original structure. New Bank Furniture. This is the third time the bank has been remodeled since its founding in 1887. In 1900 it was remodeled, and in 1906 The counting room of the First National remodeled and enlarged. Bank is to undergo many alterations in the Beautiful Interior. near future that will add to the 29 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

Passing through the bronze doors under Interest centers, however, about the an arch of Bedford stone, the visitor is vault itself. In addition to the 18 inches of struck with the beauty of the banking reinforced concrete in which all vaults are house. The finish is white marble; the sheathed, the safety deposit vault interior is woodwork, such of it as is visible, is of lined with half-inch steel. The door, mahogany; the ceiling is finished in cream including the bolt-work, is fourteen inches in and old ivory, and antique lighting fixtures thickness, and weighs about ten tons, furnish soft illumination. The hangings are although it is so precisely balanced that it of ecru silk, hung in luxurious folds, and the may be moved with one hand. It is a grill work of the cages and about the vaults product of the Diebold Safe & Lock Co., of is of oxidized bronze. Canton, O. Two combinations and three Directly in front of the entrance, across time locks insure its safety. the lobby, is the executive office, separated To enter the vault, a rubber covered from the lobby proper by marble “gang-plank” is provided, which must be wainscoting. Within are the four mahogany lifted when the door is closed. The day- desks of the bank’s officers. The floor is gate, used during business hours, cannot covered with a velvet carpet in a rich but be opened without sounding an alarm gong, dignified pattern. and, at night, jack-knifes back into the vault Back of the office is the officers’ private to allow the heavy main door to be closed consultation room, with a desk and two to within about a quarter-inch of its limit by chairs. hand, then eccentrics, spun by a wheel, Fine Vault Equipment. force it inward, making a hermetic seal. Turning to the left from the executive The bolts are always left in the locked office, the visitor is confronted by the tall position during the day, so that, in case of a grill surrounding the massive vaults. Of possible holdup, the bank force could not these there are five; [sic – :] three on the be locked in the vault, as even the most ground floor and two in the basement, painstaking burglar would scarcely take giving the bank the best vault equipment time to work the combination. north of Milwaukee. One of the cellar vaults will be utilized First is the cash vault. This is protected for old records, which are so filed that they by two steel doors, the first two inches in can be located at a moment’s notice. The thickness, and the second an inch and a other has been fitted with shelves, which half. Back of these there is the day gate, will be at the disposal of customers for the and, before a burglar could get at the storage of furs or other valuables too bulky bank’s bonds and specie, he would have to for the safety deposit boxes. penetrate the four-inch door of the cash Coupon Booths. safe, and another door, almost as thick, Just beyond the safety deposit vault are guarding the inner compartment. The vault four coupon booths. Like the rest of the has a three-quarter inch steel lining. interior woodwork and furniture, they are Next is the book vault, and behind it, finished in mahogany. In each a chair is behind what is believed to be the most placed beside a glass shelf, so that massive door in the upper peninsula, is the anything which drops to the floor from the safety deposit vault for customers. Four deposit box will be instantly noticeable. hundred boxes are already in place, and Scissors are provided in each booth for space is provided for 1500. cutting coupons.

30 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

At the rear of the banking house is the Milwaukee; the furniture by the women’s retiring room, with chairs, table, Northwestern Furniture company of the couch and desk, finished in willow. A same city; the decorating by the Bank washroom and toilet adjoin. To the right Decorating company, of St. Paul. are the men’s and women’s cloak rooms, Handsome Offices. and the men’s washroom. To the left is a The office suites on the second floor private telephone booth, and beyond it a were also remodeled, and are now second storeroom. to none in the district. The main corridor is To the left of the lobby, facing reached by two stairways, one on Stephenson avenue, is the bookkeeping Stephenson avenue and the other on room, where statements will be kept. This Ludington street. Both the stairways and room, however, will contain no machines; the corridor are finished in two shades of the stenographers, and adding and buff, with paneled wainscoting of gumwood, bookkeeping machine operators will have which is the finish of all doors and other another compartment between the coupon woodwork. The ceiling is in cream, and the booths and the cages. Of the latter, there floor is covered with linoleum in panels of are seven, with mahogany woodwork and red and brown. oxidized bronze grills. Occupants of the office suites are C.D. Directors’ Room. Symonds, attorney; O.F. Brauns, dentist; A surprise awaits the visitor when he G.H. Boyce, oculist; The Miller Insurance enters the directors’ room. Unlike the agency; the Pewabic company, and the remainder of the banking house, the Mineral Mining company. The entrance to woodwork here is of Circassian walnut, with the Elk’s club rooms also opens off the a hardwood floor. A paneled walnut corridor. Washrooms for men and women wainscoting extends about the walls, and are provided. the beams of the ceiling are in the same The interiors of the offices are no less finish, with electric fixtures at the attractive, the walls being finished in soft intersection, and a large antique fixture in tones with stencil decorations around the the center. border, and the ceilings in buff. Floors are The most striking feature of the room, of hardwood. however, is the huge mahogany table in its Credit Due Officers. center, with room for a dozen mahogany All credit for the success of the arm-chairs around it. institution is due to the able leadership it [NOTE: This mahogany table with the has had since it was founded almost 34 leather-seated mahogany armchairs is in years ago, October 10, 1887. The first the upstairs research/library room of the officers were John R. Wood, president, A.F. Menominee Range Historical Foundation Wright, vice president, H.E. Pearse, Museum, 300 East Ludington Street, Iron cashier. The directorate consisted of Oliver Mountain, Michigan.] Evans, W.S. Laing, Charles E. Parent, John All the departments of the bank are T. Jones, William Oliver, A.F. Wright, John connected by an intercommunicating Perkins, Samuel Mitchell and John R. telephone system, and the banking house Wood. The original capitalization was is steam-heated by radiators with pneumo- $50,000, which was raised to $100,000 thermostatic control. Dec. 17, 1906. The drapery, linoleum, curtains and M.A. Northrop was elected cashier Jan. hanging are by Gimbel Brothers, of 12, 1892, and was succeeded June 3, 31 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

1895, by A.D. Eldridge. Charles Ewing shows that all are men of substance, and of followed Mr.Eldridge November 24, 1897, sound business sense. Under their and was, in turn succeeded by R.S. Powell, management the bank has grown from a April 9, 1901. Mr. Powell held office until small establishment to an institution with F.J. Oliver, the present incumbent, was resources of over two million dollars[.] Its elected cashier, Feb. 18, 1919. remodeled home is one of which the bank W.S. Laing succeeded J.R. Wood as and the community it represents may well president August 20, 1897, and held office be proud, and under the same efficient until his death in 1905, when E.F. Brown leadership which it has always had, there is assumed the presidency, which he has held not the slightest doubt that the institution ever since. faces a long and prosperous future. Of the present officers, President E.F. Brown first was elected a director in 1897, The Iron Mountain Daily News, Iron although he had been long affiliated with Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, the bank as a stockholder. As stated Volume 1, Number 148 [Monday, above, he was erected [sic – elected] October 3, 1921], page 2, columns 2-3 president in 1906 [sic – 1905 – ?], and has held office since. 5,000 GUESTS AT J.C. Kimberly, vice president, was elected to that office January 11, 1910, to OPENING OF BANK succeed his father, J.A. Kimberly. _____ W.J. Cudlip, vice president, was elected a director January 8, 1907, and vice Remodeled First National president January 14, 1919. Holds Open House Sat- F.J. Oliver, cashier, first entered the service of the bank January 15, 1899. He urday Night was made assistant cashier January 8, _____ 1907, and cashier February 18, 1919. June 17, 1919, was elected a director. Five thousand people, according to Joseph W. Franson, assistant cashier, estimates based on the number of became affiliated with the institution July souvenirs distributed, attended the formal 12, 1910, and was made assistant cashier opening of the remodeled First National upon his return from army service, July 8, bank Saturday evening. They came from 1919. Leo H. Mortenson, who took Mr. all parts of this district, Florence, Crystal Franson’s place in April, 1918, when the Falls, and Iron River, Niagara, Norway, latter was called to the colors, was made Vulcan and Loretto. Some businessmen assistant cashier the same date. stated that they did the biggest out-of-town Present Directorate. business of any Saturday night in months. The present directorate of the bank Before the doors were opened at 8 consists of J.C. Kimberly, A. Bjorkman, o’clock there was a large crowd waiting to W.J. Cudlip, R.W. Pierce, Jr., E.F. Brown, be admitted, the first five minutes of the R.C. Browning, G.P. Fugere, R.T. Miller, reception filled the lower floor to capacity. W.E. Hallenbeck, J.W. Hoose, and F.J. Lines were organized as the only effective Oliver. way of handling the huge number of A glance over the list of names of the visitors. Accordingly, they went from the officers and directors, past and present, lobby to the bookkeeping room; thence past 32 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] the women’s retiring room into the directors’ to the north of the old building, and the room, around the table and out, up past the Wood Block was razed shortly after the coupon booths and the huge new safety new building opened. vault, whose construction and use was ______explained, to the executive office, where souvenirs were distributed, and thence out. IRON MOUNTAIN NATIONAL Souvenirs consisted of thermometers, BANK mounted on wood bases in mission finish, Corner of South Stephenson Avenue with aluminum name plates, four-foot tape and East A Street measures in celluloid cases bearing a picture of the lobby, and quill pens with vari- Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, colored plumes. Officers and employes [sic Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 25, – employees] of the institution who were on Number 23 [Thursday, October 21, hand to explain all points, were recipients of 1920], page 1, column 6 constant congratulations on the excellence of their new quarters. An application is about to be made for a Throughout the evening Castel’s charter for another bank in Iron Mountain – orchestra, located in the northwest corner the fourth. Negaunee people are the prime of the lobby, furnished music, which, with movers in the enterprise. the artistically placed baskets of flowers, gave the whole affair the air of a gala Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, occasion. Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 25, Upstairs, tenants of the office suites Number 24 [Thursday, October 28, were also holding open house, while, in the 1920], page 1, column 6 Elks’ club rooms, ice cream, coffee and waters were being served to all visitors. Like the bank proper, the second floor drew A National Bank. much favorable comment from the guests. Until 11 o’clock the procession Iron Mountain’s newest bank will be continued without stop. When the doors organized under and in accordance with the were finally closed, it was estimated that a laws of the federal government. It will be number greater than half the entire known as the Iron Mountain National Bank population of the city had visited the and an application for a charter will be filed institution. within the next few days. Some of our “We are building for the future,” said F.J. leading business men [sic – businessmen] Oliver, cashier. “We have been told this are interested in the organization. evening that ours is the finest banking house north of Milwaukee. We meant it to Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, be such; we meant to erect a building that Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 25, would keep pace with the promised growth Number 27 [Thursday, November 18, which, we feel, is certainly coming to Iron 1920], page 8, column 2 Mountain.” NATIONAL BANK OF The First National Bank moved into its new building on Monday, May 20, IRON MOUNTAIN 1991. The new building was constructed _____ 33 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

“The new bank will represent the home Permit is Received from Comptrol- interest in your community, and will be ler of Currency. directed by some of your staunch citizens. We are sure you will have reason to be The Iron Mountain National Bank is now proud of it. Its capital will be divided into practically assured. one thousand shares of the par value of After a careful investigation conducted $100 each and it is the intention of the by representatives of the comptroller of the organizers to collect an additional 100 per currency of the organizers of the proposed cent premium, giving the bank $200,000 bank, and the future of Iron Mountain, a capital and surplus.” decision was reached to issue the charter and the organization will be perfected at a Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, meeting to be held during the week. Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 25, Iron Mountain already has two excellent Number 32 [Thursday, December 23, banks, but evidence of the city’s future 1920], page 1, column 6 growth seem [sic – seems] to justify the institution of another national bank, in the IRON MOUNTAIN opinion of the organizers. In an interview, one of the organizers NATIONAL BANK said: _____ “It is well-known that bank stocks are among the best paying investments, that C.H. Milliman and Olaf Rian banks throughout the country are paying Are New Directors. good dividends and accumulating large surpluses. That accounts for the fact that The organization of the Iron Mountain bank stock is generally kept within a circle National Bank was completed at a meeting of selected investors, in each community of the stockholders held last evening. and is not usually offered to the general The organization as completed is as public. We believe that the interest of a follows: bank, and of its patrons and customers, in President – Cleo Mouiller [sic – order to be profitable, should be mutual, Meilleur]. and it is with this fact in mind, that the stock First Vice-President and Chairman of of the new bank is offered to the public the Board of Directors – Charles E. Parent. generally. We hesitate to ask you to bring Second Vice-President – Claude H. your business to the bank, help it make Milliman. money and offer you nothing in return. We Directors – The above with Z.P. believe the bank’s patrons are entitled at Rousselle, John O. Blixt, Felix Valenti, John least to the opportunity of sharing the fruits J. Flanagan and Olaf Rian, Dr. H. as well as the means of its success. In Belheumer. short, we want the people of Iron Mountain Two notable additions have been made and vicinity to have an interest in the bank to the board of directors – namely C.H. and to feel that it it [sic – is] really theirs. Milliman and Olaf Rian. Mr. Milliman is the For this reason therefore, a majority amount senior member of the firm of Milliman Bros., of stock, subject to allotment, is offered. proprietor of The Milliman Hotel, one of the largest and best in the peninsula. He is a

34 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] most progressive young business man [sic alterations will commence early in the new – businessman], has an extended list of year. friends and commands the respect of the The bank will have a capital and surplus people of the community in a high degree. of $200,000 and the writer has been Ever since coming to Iron Mountain, Mr. informed that it has been fully subscribed. Milliman has been foremost in all movements having for their object the Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, betterment of the city in a business and Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 1, social way. The Milliman Hotel is a Number 11 [Friday, April 22, 1921], monument of the enterprise of himself and page 5, column 1 his brother, Frank. The brothers are already perfecting their plans for a large START EXCAVATING addition to their hotel – one in keeping with AT NEW BANK SITE the new Iron Mountain. _____ Olaf Rian is the manager of the business of his father, Andrew Rian, at Felch. The Rian store at Felch is one of the Seeking to Determine Depth largest in the upper peninsula and the stock Of Present Foun- of merchandise is second to none. The dations business is conducted in a large two-story _____ brick building having a frontage of about eighty feet. Olaf Rian is a native of Excavation was started Wednesday at Dickinson county and his father a pioneer the site to be occupied by the National resident of the range. He is a keen, Bank of Iron Mountain, for the purpose of progressive young business man [sic – determining the depth of the present businessman] and his addition to the foundation, and the extent to which it would directorate of the new bank will win the have to be reinforced. When this institution many friends. information is obtained, the plans and The Iron Mountain National Bank specifications can be completed by expects to open its doors to patrons on or Parmelee & Son, architects, and the about February 15th, 1921. The deal has construction work can begin. Material is been closed for the Flanagan business already being assembled, and the arrival of property, at the corner of Stephenson more is awaited. Mr. Parmelee said this avenue and East A street. The morning that the plans would probably be consideration was $34,500. At as early as completed next week, and actual possible in the spring a fine banking house construction might start within two weeks. and business block will be erected thereon. Practically all the offices on the second Plans have not been fully completed as yet floor of the bank have already been spoken and details cannot be given at this time as for, according to C. Meilleur, president. to the dimensions of the proposed building. Bowling alleys will be located in the Until the new structure is ready for basement. occupancy, the bank will occupy the The bank has received the first issue of building now tenated [sic – tenanted] by its own notes, which are being prepared for William Tregilgas, as a fruit and candy circulation. As an example of the business store. The work of making the necessary which the institution has enjoyed, Mr. Meilleur compares the statement issued at 35 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] the comptroller’s call February 21, with that 62 feet on Stephenson avenue, and will issued at the close of business Wednesday. extend back 122 feet to the alley between In the 59 day period intervening, the total Stephenson and Iron Mountain strets [sic – resources of the bank have grown from streets]. It will be two stories in height, and $83,121.89 in February to $191,616.43, the will [be] known as the National Bank Block. figure yesterday. In addition to the banking house proper, the We are “all set to go,” said Claude structure will contain three stores, a bowling Milliman, vice-president, this morning. “We alley and billiard room in the basement, and will proceed with building as soon as 17 two-room office suites upstairs. Nearly possible, and go through with it as fast as all those quarters have already been material is received.” Mr. Parmelee spoken for. estimates that it will take about six months Will Have Handsome Front. to construct the building. Across the front of the building will be five pilasters of brick, with Doric caps and Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, bases of Bedford stone. There will be a Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 1, Bedford stone cornice across the top, and a Number 34 [Thursday, May 19, 1921], pediment of the same material above the page 1, column 2; continued on page 2, cornice, bearing the name of the building. column 1 The doorway will be of Bedford stone, and in a panel above it will be the motto of the WORK UNDER WAY institution, “The Bank of the People.” The AT NEW BANK SITE stone will also be used for inset panels _____ between the first and second floors. The north section of the ground floor will

be occupied by a store, 120x25 feet, with Excavating For Foundation deep display windows. The main entrance – Start Construction will be in the center of the building, and will Next Week give on a vestibule. To the right of this _____ vestibule is the entrance into the bank lobby, and to the rear is the stairway Excavation was in progress today for leading to the basement and to the upper the basement of the National Bank of Iron floor. Mountain, which is to be erected on the Bank 62x122 Feet. vacant lot on Stephenson avenue and A The banking house is 62 by 122 feet, street. Reinforcing of the present walls, and the lobby 44:7x15:5 feet. Directly and rebuilding in some places, [sic] will be opposite the door is the combined started this week or early next week consultation room and cashier’s office, and according to F.E. Parmelee, architect in to the left of this room space is provided for charge of construction. As soon as four wickets. At the rear of the lobby is the materials arrive, the work of building will be door into the banking house proper. Along rushed to completion. It is expected to the north wall are the check desks, the have the bank ready for occupancy by entrance to the ladies’ retiring room, and to November 1. the men’s toilet. The lobby will have a tile Scratch face brick, chocolate in color, floor, marble wainscoting, and beamed with Bedford stone trim, will be the material ceiling but the decorative scheme has not used for the new building, which will front yet been decided upon. 36 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

To the left of the door into the banking _____ house are two booths in which patrons may examine the contents of their safety deposit Excavation work was resumed at the boxes. Directly in front of the door is the site of the National Bank of Iron Mountain vault itself. The vault has 18-inch this morning, after the water that filled the reinforced concrete walls, and the interior is lot yesterday had subsided. Eexcavaton divided into two portions. The safety [sic – Excavation] was also started in deposit vault is 8:6x6:3 feet, and the Stephenson avenue for the having of a currency vault 8:6x8 feet. To the right of sewer to the building. Delay in the arrival of the vault, entrance is gained to the six carloads of lumber and one carload of bookkeeping rom [sic – room], which has stone is holding up the actual start of another ladies’ room in connection. To the construction, according to F.E. Parmelee. left of the vault is a storage room, and back of it the directors’ room. Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, Store on “A” Street. Dickinson County, Michigan, _____ In the rear of the banking houses on A Year, Number _____ [Friday, August 12, street, are the two store rooms, one 1921], page 1, column 4 measuring 27 feet in width and the other 21:8. Both are 47 feet long. A storage FINISH BASEMENT room is located in the rear of the wider OF BANK BUILDING store, also one in the rear of the store fronting on Stephenson avenue. _____ On the second floor, in addition to the 17 office suites of two rooms each, The brick and stone masons have about lavatories for men and women will be completed the basement and division walls provided. The office suites are so arranged of the new building of the National Bank of that, while they connect, either may be Iron Mountain. Some of the cut stones for entered or left without passing through the the handsome front are being put in place. other. In addition to the main stairway back It is expected that the work will now of the front entrance, a second stairway will progress rapidly as it will be possible to be constructed on A street, giving acess employ more men than heretofore. The [sic – access] to the second floor and the contract for the masonry has been sublet to basement. In the basement, room will be G.A. Gustafson, the well known Norway provided for six bowling alleys and an equal contractor, who is doing the work under the number of billiard tables. The space under direction of Fred E. Parmelee & Son, the the sidewalks, according to present plans, contracting architects and superintendents. will be utilized for candy or cigar booths. The work now completed evidences the fact that the home of the National Bank of Iron Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, Mountain will be the largest and finest Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 1, business block on the Menominee range. Number 44 [Wednesday, June 1, 1921], page 1, column 6 MERCHANTS AND MINERS BANK Iron Mountain WORK IS RESUMED AT NEW BANK SITE The Current, Norway, Menominee County, Michigan, Volume III, Number 37 37 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

[Saturday, October 15, 1887], page 1, of the defunct institution at from $10,000 to column 3 $15,000, and says that J.L. Edwards, the proprietor, owns and has an interest in –The Merchants and Miners Bank at several tracts of valuable mineral lands and Iron Mountain has closed its doors, and will probably be able to pay his debts dollar cashier Edwards is among the missing, for dollar. It is reported, however, that the although his friends claim he has only gone liabilities will aggregate fully $35,000. If this to Chicago to get funds to square up. It is proves to be the case, it is extremely claimed that the aggregate of small unlikely that the unfortunate depositors will deposits is about $15,000, and that realize more than from 25 to 50 cents on Edwards has property of many times that the dollar. At last accounts Edwards was value. said to be in Chicago, where he went to endeavor to raise money on his lands in order to meet his obligations. Richard The Florence Mining News, Florence, White, who runs butcher shops in this city Florence County, Wisconsin, Volume and at Iron Mountain, was among the VII, Number 42 [Saturday, October 15, heaviest losers. He is said to have lost 1887], page 5, column 4 $2,600. The day before the failure Mr. White purchased a draft for $1,400 on a UNHAPPY DEPOSITORS. Chicago bank, and the money was not forwarded. Rundle Brothers, the well- _____ known Iron Mountain hardware dealers, FAILURE OF THE BANK AT IRON also lost a considerable sum. The bank was originally started at Norway by Chas. MOUNTAIN. L. Anderson, who afterwards moved it to _____ Iron Mountain, and a year or two ago sold out to Edwards. The Green Bay Advocate J.L. Edwards, Proprietor of the says that a suspicion is expressed that the Merchants and Miners’ Bank Makes latter has skipped to Canada with the An Assignment – A Large Number of available funds. The assignment was made Poor People Among the Depositors – to J.S. Shafer. A National Bank Organized – A Large Iron Mountain, like many other towns, Budget of Interesting Social and has had enough of irresponsible private Personal Gossip. banking institutions, and hereafter the _____ people of that enterprising burg will do business only with national banks. The Great excitement existed at Iron First National Bank of Iron Mountain was Mountain and other towns on the range this organized last Monday evening, with the week over the failure of the Merchants’ following incorporators: A.F. Wright, and Miners’ Bank of the former place. The Quinnesec; John Perkins, F. Copeland, collapse of the concern was sudden and D.F. Mullens, B.W. Jones, E.S. Roberts, altogether unexpected, and hundreds of Vulcan; John R. Wood, Appleton, Wis.; depositors, the majority of whom are poor Oliver Evans, A.D. Moore, H. people, will probably lose nearly all of their McLaughlin, Wm. Oliver, W.S. Laing, money. The Range estimates the liabilities R.P. Tuten, E.P. Foster, J.T. Jones, G.T. Corning, E.J. Ingram, C.E. Parent, H.E. 38 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

Pearse, Iron Mountain; J.B. Maas, Samuel Mitchell, Edward Lobb, Negaunee. Mr. Going Out of Business. Evans is a son-in-law of H.D. Fisher, of this city, and the other gentlemen are well and The Press learns that it is the intention favorably known in Florence. The board of of the officers of the Iron Mountain directors is composed of John R. Wood, Building and Loan association to wind up A.F. Wright, H.E. Pearce, Oliver Evans, the affairs of the concern as soon as John Perkins, Wm. Oliver, W.S. Laing, C.E. possible. The property of the association, Parent and Samuel Mitchell. The officers of amounting to a good many thousand the new bank are as follows: John R. dollars, will be divided among the Wood, president; A.F. Wright, vice- stockholders. The stockholders will realize president; H.E. Pearse, cashier; Oliver good sums on their investment. Evans, assistant cashier. The capital stock is $50,000. The bank will probably be HOUGHTON COUNTY LOAN AND ready for business by the first of November. INVESTMENT ASSOCIATION A national bank is needed in Florence, but Iron Mountain until one is organized, many of the local business men [sic- businessmen] will most Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, likely patronize the new concern at Iron Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 25, Mountain. Number 18 [Thursday, September 16,

1920], page 1, column 4 The Current, Norway, Menominee County,

Michigan, Volume III, Number 39 [Saturday, October 29, 1887], page 8, Establish An Agency. column 1 A.J. Minnear & Co. have been RAMBLINGS: IRON MOUNTAIN. appointed local representatives of the Houghton County Loan and Investment Banker Edwards is still absent, but association. The opening of an agency assignee Shafer has hopes that a short should materially assist in the upbuilding of time will witness the satisfactory settlement Iron Mountain. E.F. Trevarrow, the of all accounts. secretary and manager of the association, who was in the city recently, says: “Our name is somewhat misleading. We are a BUILDING AND LOAN building and loan association, and conduct our business along the lines made familiar INSTITUTIONS with other associations of the kind. Our experience during the ten years we have IRON MOUNTAIN BUILDING AND been doing business in Houghton county LOAN ASSOCIATION has been uniformly favorable to our Iron Mountain investors, and has been of a character to warrant our undertaking our policy of Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, expansion with confidence.” William D. Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 2, Calverley, of Houghton, well-know Number 34 [Thursday, January 13, [need to copy remainder of article 1898], page 1, column 5 from original newspaper at the 39 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

Menominee Range Historical Foundation The Menominee Range, Iron Mountain, Museum] Menominee County, Michigan, Volume XI, Number 14 [Thursday, June 27, 1889), page 1, column 4 BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS THE CITY.

J.C. SNYDER, general agent for the SECURITY BUILDING AND LOAN National Building Loan and Protective Union, of Minneapolis, Minn., has been in ASSOCIATION OF MINNEAPOLIS this city for several days, talking up the Iron Mountain advantages presented by his association to

those who desire safe and profitable The Menominee Range, Iron Mountain, investment, or who wish to secure homes Menominee County, Michigan, Volume on easy terms. For the purpose of XI, Number 7 [Thursday, May 9, 1889], explaining more fully the objects and page 5, column 3 workings of this excellent association, a

meeting will be held at the Commercial Have Organized. hotel this evening, to which all are invited. Any person wishing to fully understand the Mr. Engberg, who we mentioned last advantages of becoming a stockholder in week as being in the city for the purpose of the leading building and loan association, working up a local branch of the Security whether he proposes to become a borrower Building and Loan Association, of or not, should be present. Mr. Snyder will Minneapolis, has succeeded in interesting be prepared to answer all questions, and enough persons in his project to organize a invites the most thorough investigation. branch. About 25 persons met in Dave Bergeron’s office last Tuesday evening, representing 331 shares of stock, when the CREDIT BUREAU following officers were elected: K.S. Buck, president; R. Silverwood, secretary and IRON MOUNTAIN RETAIL treasurer; J.R. Wood, H. McDermott, J.T. Jones, R.H. Flaherty, J.R. Johnston, W. MERCHANTS CREDIT Nicholls and John Blackney directors. ASSOCIATION The above names are such as will inspire confidence in the enterprise, and we have The Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, no doubt the association will have a Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 4, successful career in this city. Number 232 [Monday, January 26, 1925], page 1, column 7 NATIONAL BUILDING LOAN AND PROTECTIVE UNION OF CREDIT BUREAU MINNEAPOLIS TO START SOON Iron Mountain _____

Fifty-three Merchants 40 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – CITY OF IRON MOUNTAIN – BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

Have Signed Up For welcome signs, which are to be placed at Chamber Service the north and south city limits on M 12 and _____ at the intersection of Wisconsin highway 57 and M 12. Under present plans the cost of erection and maintenance is to be born With 60 subscribing merchants in sight, equally by the city, the Lions and the Rotary the retail credit bureau to be conducted by clubs and the chamber of commerce. It is the chamber of commerce will [need to expected that the first three named copy this article] organizations will take definite action in the matter before the tourist season opens. Iron Mountain News, Iron Mountain, The signs are to be 11x30, and figures Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 5, on the cast [sic – cost] have been submitted Number 7 [Saturday, April 18, 1925], by a local sign company. page 6, column 1

CREDIT BUREAU CREDIT UNION

SERVICE STARTS _____

Ratings Are Obtained On More Than 5,000 Persons _____

Notification has been sent to 58 members of the Iron Mountain Retail Merchants Credit Association that the organization is to start functioning today. L.D. Tucker, secretary of the chamber of commerce[,] having completed the file and arrangements for the new service. Credit ratings have been obtained on more than 5,000 residents of Iron Mountain and vicinity, an average of four credit ratings being available in each case. Instructions as to the use of the new service have also been mailed and although several of the signed and paid up members have not filed their reports as yet, Tucker is hoping that these will be brought to the chamber of commerce headquarters some time next week. May Erect Signs. The chamber of commerce has also started plans for the erection of tourist 41