Name/Title
The National BankScope and Content
Historical information on The National Bank for 1976 Bicentennial Celebration in Waupun, WI.
*Facts are typed and was scanned with mistakes, if any, left uncorrected.
The National Bank
The National Bank began its existence in Waupun as a private bank in 1876 with George Jess and Son as the owners, at the corner of Main and Mill Streets. In 1885, it was sold the First National Bank of Waupun with George W. Mitchell and son, Stanley, of Milwaukee holding the controlling interest, Lucius- Hinkley and Edwin Hillyer of Waupun were shareholders. The Mitchell's sold their holdings to Waupun people in 1897 and in 1905, when the First National's 20 year charter expired, the bank was reorganized on September 1, as the National Bank of Waupun with a $50,000 capital.
The bank's capital was increased in December 1943, to $100,000 by a $25,000 stock dividend and $25,000 cash paid in by stock holders. It was increased again in January 1951, to $150,000 by stock dividends. Its deposits had increased to more than $4,740,000 in early 1952.
L. D. Hinkley was the bank's first president in 1905 and succeeding presidents included: Clarence A. Shaler 1908-1911; B. W. Davis 1911-1920; C. E. Hooker, 1920-1928; W. E. Graham 1928-1940; E. A. Marsh 1940-1941;E. W. Hooker since 1941.
The organizers of the National Bank were L. D. Hinkley, W. E. Caldwell, C. A. Shaler, C. E. Hooker, B. W. Davis and Ben Kastein. The first five men were elected as directors and the directors elected the following officers: L. D. Hinkley, president; C. A. Shaler, vice-president; B. W. Davis, cashier and Ben Kastein, assistant cashier.
In December 1919, Ben Kasteir was appointed to the Board of Directors to fill the vacancy caused by the death of B. W. Davis. In January, 1920, Ben Kastein was elected vice-president and cashier.
On September 28, 1928, E. W. Hooker was appointed a director to succeed his father. In 1940 George J. Landaal was appointed a director to succeed W. F. Fautsch. On December 4, 1941, E. W. Hooker was elected president to succeed E. A. Marsh. On January 13, 1942, R. L. Kloosterboer was elected a director to succeed his father, B. Kloosterboer. J. G. Kastein was elected director on January 11, 1949 to succeed Edward T. Marsh.
On April 1, 1953, G. E. Mc Bride was appointed a director to succeed H. S. Northrup and on August 3, 1953 J. A. Zeratsky was appointed a director to succeed E. C. Beske.
Ground was broken in August 1956 for the construction of the new bank building at 210 E. Main. A house and a high hill was removed before excavation could begin. The move to the new building was completed on September 19, 1957 except for the vault door which was installed on September 25, 1957.
The beautiful building is on a large level lot with a drive-up window for depositors on the west side and a fine parking lot in the rear. The lobby was spacious with a fine staff to serve the customer's every need. The assets had grown from $1,055,694 in January 1915 to $5,313,697 January 1, 1957 to $21,744,000 in June 1976.
An electronically controlled clock was installed above the bank at the main, Street entrance to show the time 24 hours a day. It has become as legend as a land mark.
In 1975, another drive up station was added to the first one and two customers can be served at the windows.
Early in 1976 around was broken for a new addition to the building. It was enlarged on four sides. The offices will be all around the lobby except on the drive-up side, which is now in the rear.
The Hotel Waupun was purchased by the bank, torn down and its site is part of the new parking lot. The lot is landscaped, black topped and enclosed by a red cedar fence.
The old clock was removed and a new pylon built that gives the time, the temperature in farenheight and celsius degrees.
Ben Kastein retired in 1975 as president of the bank and Steven E. Henderson from Oelwein, Iowa was hired to replace him.
The current directors in 1976 are: E. W. Hooker, chairman of the board; S. E. Henderson, president; J. G. Kastein, vice-president; L. F. Beske, vice-president and cashier: R. L. Kloosterboer, vice-presient; Gerald Reichhoff, vice-president; Duane Lemmenes, vice-president, Marion Birkholz, assistant cashier and David Hopp, assistant cashier.
This bank is known as a full, service bank.Acquisition
Accession
2016.0075Source or Donor
Waupun Area Chamber of CommerceAcquisition Method
Donation
