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Twenty-fifth Avenue. The Commercial National Bank remained in the same building from its organization in 1899 to the time the bank was discontinued in 1932. The Commercial National Bank Building was replaced by a new building in 1940 which was occupied by the Rogers Jewelry Company.

THE CENTRAL NATIONAL BANK

The Central National Bank in Columbus was chartered in 1906. The original charter was granted in the name of the German National Bank. This bank was located on the southeast corner of Thirteenth and Platte Streets, now Thirteenth Street and Twenty-seventh Avenue.

The history of this bank dates back to 1906, when G. W. Phillips and Theodore Friedhof took the initiative in the bank's organization. G. W. Phillips, who was with the bank for nearly a quarter of a century, came to Columbus from Elk City, Nebraska, on November 26, 1871. He learned the shoemaker's trade, as an apprentice to Mr. Kinney for three years. He later conducted a shoe store in Columbus for nine years. From 1883-1884, he worked in the County Clerk's office. From 1884-1889, he was the Deputy County Clerk under John Stauffer, County Clerk.

He was elected to the office of County Clerk and served from 1890-1896; was postmaster of Columbus from 1896-1897; and from 1897-1904, he again served six years as County Clerk.

Theodore Friedhof was a well-known dry goods merchant in Columbus. He later sold his stock and rented his building to George Schweser and Sons.

Mr. Friedhof and Mr. Phillips, together with Hanson S. Elliott, of the Elliott, Speice, Echols Company; P. E. McKillip, lawyer, and member of a land company; and J. F. Siems, land owner, comprised the first board of directors of the bank.

The board met in September, 1906, and elected as the first officers of the bank: G. W. Phillips, president; Theodore Friedhof, vice-president; and B. H. Schroeder of Platte Center, cashier.

In 1906, the capital stock of the bank was fifty thousand dollars. In February, 1909, Mr. Schroeder resigned as cashier and was succeeded by A. F. Plageman, who became a stockholder in the bank.

On November 24, 1909, the capital stock of the bank was increased to one hundred thousand dollars. At the same time, the membership of the board of directors was changed from five to seven members, and C. H. Sheldon, who had previously become a stockholder, was elected to the office of second vice president.

Six years later, in 1915, the official personnel of the bank had remained unchanged. In that year, the total bank deposits were three hundred twenty-three thousand dollars. There were three other banks operating in Columbus at that time.

In October, 1917, C. H. Sheldon died, and on January 1, 1918, C. C. Sheldon and R. M. Campbell acquired the C. H. Sheldon interest in the bank.

During World War I, the name of the bank was officially changed to the Central National Bank.

From 1914-1917, Hugh F. Johnson, who came to Columbus from the City National Bank in Omaha; Mr. Phillips' sons, Milton and Albert; and Frank Dietz were associated with the bank.

During World War I, from 1917-1919, Frank Dietz served with the Balloon Corps of the United States Army. On his discharge from the army, he returned to the bank for a short time and from the early 1920's-1933, he was associated with the Farmer's State Bank. In 1933, he again returned to the Central National Bank, as an assistant cashier.

In 1922, the bank directors were: G. W. Phillips, C. C. Sheldon, Theodore Friedhof, R. M. Campbell, E. W. North, F. H. Morrow, and A. F. Plageman.

BANK EXPANDS

In 1930, the Central National Bank bought a large part of the securities of the First National Bank, and during the organization that followed, G. W. Phillips disposed of his banking interest and retired from the bank.

R. M. Campbell was elected president to succeed Mr. Phillips.

M. M. Taylor, who had been with the First National Bank from 1929, joined the bank force on April 21, 1930, and on August 9, 1930, was elected to the office of executive vice president.

The officers of the bank from 1930-1936 included: R. M. Campbell, president; M. M. Taylor, vice president and cashier; E. W. North, assistant cashier; and Frank Dietz, assistant cashier. The directors were: R. M. Campbell, M. M. Taylor, E. W. North, C. C. Sheldon, and F. H. Morrow.

Others associated with the bank during those years included: Frank Shonka, field representative; William L. Boettcher, Jr., Howard L, Burdick, Wilfred Reifenrath, Arden D. Wolf, Otto J. Theilen, Charles Hook, L. J. Brunken, Marion Babb, Minnie Asche, Lucille Luchsinger, Dora Neumeister, Elsie Zimmerman, and Katherine Sheldon.

In 1939, R. M. Campbell was elected chairman of the board of directors and M. M. Taylor became president of the bank.

The bank expanded under his leadership. In April, 1939, the bank adopted the three p.m. closing hour.

Mr. Taylor died in January, 1943, and in April, 1943, J. O. Peck became the president of the bank.

BANK BUILDING

The bank building was remodeled in 1935 and again in 1946 when an extensive addition was built to the south of the main building.

MEMBER FEDERAL RESERVE

In 1913, the bank became a member of the Federal Reserve Bank. In 1933, the bank became a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

LOAN DEPARTMENT

In 1946, a personal loan department was added to the bank.

GROWTH OF BANK

From December 31, 1932-June 30, 1936, the deposits of the Central National Bank increased from $827,744 to $3,053,326. The Central National Bank was the only bank in the county in the early 1930's.

In February, 1935, the Columbus Bank was opened for business.

The statement of January 1, 1949, showed that the assets of the bank were: $11,189,719.91.

Officers of the Central National Bank in January, 1949, were: J. O. Peck, President; Frank P. Dietz and William L. Boettcher, Vice Presidents; Howard L. Burdick, Cashier; Minnie Asche, Assistant Cashier; George W. Wolf, Assistant Cashier and Auditor; Charles A. Hook, Proof Department Manager, Robert O. Burman, Assistant Cashier and Personal Loan Manager and Harvey B. Loseke, Assistant Cashier and Personal Loan Assistant Manager.

Directors of this bank were: R. M. Campbell, J. O. Peck, F. H. Morrow, Otto F. Walter, C. C. Sheldon, W.. A. Boettcher, C. E. Pearse; Luther Bonham and Howard L. Burdick, Secretary.

Other personnel associated with the bank were, Mildred Speicher, Doris Rade, John Louis, Lawrence Torczon, Bobbie Wegener, Ralph Barrett and Oliver Barjenbruch, Tellers; Lucille Luchsinger, Stenographer; Marie Reifenrath, General Ledger Clerk, Dora Neumeister, Safety Deposit Custodian, Floreen Mohr and Norma Whitaker, Proof Department Clerks; Angeline Borys, Transit Clerk; Julian E. Meyer, Jr., Rosemary Wass, Nadine Welch, Betty Hoge, and Dolores Bartels, Bookkeepers;. and Gustav Garbers, Maintenance Superintendent.

FARMERS STATE BANK
1917

The Farmers State Bank was opened in 1917. It was the fifth Commercial Bank in Columbus and the second bank to be chartered as a state bank.

It was located at 2501 Thirteenth Street, the former location of the Gray Hardware Company. The building was built by McDill, Rorer, and Sheldon, in 1888. In 1917, the bank building was completely remodeled at a cost of forty thousand dollars and when finished had one. of the finest interiors of any bank in the state.

William Bucher, the founder of the bank, had. been connected with the Columbus State Bank as vice president for fourteen years prior to 1917, but upon the organization of the Farmers State Bank he sold his stock to Martin A. Stenger .

The incorporators of the Farmers State Bank were William Bucher, A. D. Becker and F. J. Boehm. The articles of incorporation were filed for record at the Platte County Court House on October 26, 1917. The bank was incorporated with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. The five hundred shares had a par value of one hundred dollars each. The officers of the bank for fifteen years from 1917 to 1932 were William Bucher, president; A. D. Becker, vice president; and F. J. Boehm, cashier. A. D. Becker who in his early days was connected with the Commercial National Bank, was the son of J. P. Becker, a pioneer Columbus banker. Fred J. Boehm had previously been in the mercantile, real estate and loan business in Columbus. Others associated with the Farmers State Bank from 1917 to 1932 included Frank P. Dietz as assistant cashier, and Arthur Klug as teller. Mr. Dietz was later a vice president of the Central National Bank in Columbus and Arthur Klug was assistant cashier of the Columbus Bank. Oliver Smith and William Boettcher Jr. were associated with the bank as bookkeepers. William Boettcher Jr. later became a vice president of the Central National Bank and Oliver Smith was with the Gerhold Company.

The Farmers State Bank discontinued commercial banking in 1932.

Late in 1934 the Columbus Bank was organized and opened for business in the Farmers State Bank Building in February of 1935.

COLUMBUS BANK

On November 17, 1934, five stockholders of the newly organized Columbus Bank met in a joint session to perfect their organization. These men included L. B. Fenner, an attorney from Burwell, Nebraska; W. E. Barkley, president of the joint Stock Land Bank of Lincoln, Nebraska; R. V. Prokop, vice president of the Hubbard State Bank for fourteen years; J. H. Moeller, cashier of the First National Bank of Leigh for sixteen years, and Arthur Klug, associated with the Farmers State Bank from 1917 to 1932 as teller. The articles of incorporation were filed for record on February 6, 1935. The authorized stock was fifty thousand dollars divided into three hundred shares of preferred stock, par value one hundred dollars each, and two hundred shares of common stock, par value one hundred dollars.

The incorporators were R. V. Prokop, J. H. Moeller and W. E. Barkley, a stockholder. The officers elected were: L. B. Fenner, president; R. V. Prokop, vice president; J. H. Moeller, cashier; and Arthur Klug, assistant cashier. Neither Mr. Fenner nor Mr. Barkley came to Columbus.

The Columbus Bank received its charter as a State Bank on December 26, 1934, and opened for business February 2, 1935, in the Farmers State Bank Building at 2501 Thirteenth Street which they had acquired through purchase.

On August 3, 1935, Ben B. McNair bought the interest of John H. Moeller and succeeded him as cashier of the bank. On February 1, 1938, Elmer L. Bradley bought the interests of L. B. Fenner and R. V. Prokop. Mr. Bradley then became the president of the Columbus Bank and Ben B. McNair, cashier, advanced to the vice presidency. Arthur Klug remained as assistant cashier.

In 1938, Fred Gruenhage came to the bank from Shickley, Nebraska, and served from 1938 to 1942 as assistant cashier. In 1942, he entered the United States Armed Forces and was succeeded by Julius Zastera as assistant cashier.

The 1949 stockholders and directors of the bank were: Elmer L. Bradley, Addie P. Bradley, Albert Greunhage, Ella E. McNair and Ben B. McNair. Others associated with the Columbus Bank are: Paul Abegglen Jr., assistant cashier; Otto Theilen, teller; Gloria Korgie and Jean McNair, bookkeepers; Regina Bradley, a bookkeeper, and Dorothy Zoucha, teller, were formerly associated with the bank.

In 1938, the assets of the bank were less than a half million and in the past ten years under the joint management of Mr. Bradley and Mr. McNair, the Columbus Bank has grown to an institution with resources over three million dollars.

COLUMBUS LAND, LOAN AND BUILDING ASSOCIATION

Columbus experienced a period of growth in the early 1880's and an ever increasing demand for new homes which were greatly needed.

At that time, there were an abundance of building lots available which could be bought

at low prices. In the early 1880's a new plan called the Building and Loan Association was being tried out in the west. The same form of loans had already been proved sound in most of the eastern cities.

In 1883, the Omaha Building and Loan Association made its appearance in the loan field in Nebraska. Three years later, the Columbus Land, Loan and Building Association was formed. The organizers of the association were a group of far-sighted Columbus business men who studied the situation and then set to work to devise ways and means whereby capital could be raised to finance home building.

During the 1880's money could be obtained from the east and before the turn of the century, Swiss capital was also available for loans.

At a meeting held on April 19, 1886, the new organization was perfected and it was agreed in the Articles of Incorporation that the capital stock would be five hundred thousand dollars, or five thousand shares of one hundred dollars each. The incorporators were: George P. Barnhart, John P. Becker, J. W. Early, John Hammond, C. G. Hickock, H. F. J. Hockenberger, Carl Kramer, J. S. Murdock and J. N. Taylor. The articles of incorporation were filed for record at the Platte County Court House April 20, 1886.

On the same day, April 19, 1886, these Articles were amended to read the capital stock was not to exceed twenty-five hundred shares of one hundred dollars each. The corporation was not to commence until four hundred shares were sold. The incorporators were the same as those listed above. The amendment to the Articles of Incorporation was filed for record on May 18, 1886.

Two years later an article from the Columbus Journal, dated May 9, 1888, said in part:

"Officers chosen at the 1888 annual meeting of the Columbus Land, Loan and Building Association were: J. N. Taylor, president; J. S. Murdock, vice-president; Gustavus G. Becher, treasurer; and H. J. Hockenberger, secretary. The Board of Directors chosen were: C. H. Davis, V. H. Weaver, C. W. Bouton, R. Uhlig, and E. D. Fitzpatrick.

"The statement prepared by the secretary and approved by the auditing committee, L. W. Weaver, Leander Gerrard, and Daniel Schram, showed the total amount received during the first two years was $12,543.70; gross profits, $2,679.85; amount loaned, $31,500; average premiums per year, 8.45 percent."

The Columbus Land, Loan and Building Association holds the distinction of being the pioneer in its field in Columbus. It is in its sixty-third year, and has commemorated two major anniversaries since its founding in 1886: The Silver Anniversary, in 1911, and the Golden Anniversary, in 1936,

The Silver Anniversary was celebrated in April, 1911. The Columbus Telegram of April 28, 1911, said in part:

"The first weekly payments on stock in the association were made twenty-five years ago on the first week in May. Since that far-away day, this pioneer loan and building association has enjoyed a successful career. Hard times came, but they did not destroy; hot winds killed, the crops and much of the ambition of men in Nebraska, but the association continued steadfast upon its upward course, carrying prosperity to every one of the large number of men and women who were building homes of their own by the help of the association.

"On Friday next, May 5, (1911) series 'Y' will be opened to the public. If you desire a loan at this time, or if you figure that you may need a loan in future days, or if you wish to make your savings from your income and place it where it will earn a fair rate of interest, take a few shares in series 'Y'.

Signed
by H. Hockenberger,
Secretary."

The officers and directors at the time of the Golden Anniversary, on April 19, 1936, were: G. W. Viergutz, president; L. F. Gottschalk, vice-president; Philip R. Hockenberger, secretary; Gustavus G. Becher, treasurer; J. W. Herrod, Jacob Louis, Walter Roth, F. G. Rohde, D.D.S., and John Neater.

In 1937, the firm took over the Globe Sayings, and incorporated it as part of the Columbus Land, Loan and Building Association.

The officers and directors for 1946-1947 were: John W. Neater, president; Doctor F. G.

Rohde, vice-president; Walter L. Roth, vice-president; George Rambour, Jr., treasurer, and Philip R. Hockenberger, secretary; Directors: William I. Gerhold, Lyman B. Mead, Carl Rector, and Walter D. Behlen.

The Columbus Land, Loan and Building Association has its offices with the Becher, Hockenberger, and Chambers Company. Their motto is: "The American home, the safeguard of American Liberties."

GUARANTY LOAN AND TRUST COMPANY

The Guaranty Loan and Trust Company was organized in 1916, by H. F. J. Hockenberger, E. H. Chambers, Gustavus G. Becher Jr., C. M. Gruenther and Adolph Luers, and incorporated by the organizers on January 6, 1916. It was capitalized for seventy-five thousand dollars or seven hundred and fifty shares at one hundred dollars each. The capital stock was to be increased by a majority vote. The nature of the business was for the company to conduct the business of a trust company as defined in Article 16 of Chapter 14 of the Revised Statutes of Nebraska. The Trust Company functioned for eight years as a trust department in the Becher, Hockenberger and Chambers Company.

It was deemed advisable to terminate it in 1924 on account of the exorbitant tax on trust companies in Nebraska.

EQUITABLE BUILDING LOAN AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION

In order to meet an increasing demand for homes in the early 1900's, a group of Columbus business men launched the Equitable Loan and Savings Association in 1905. They were: Daniel Schram; John J. Sullivan; G. B. Speice; John G. Becher; and H. S. Elliott.

The general purpose of the association was to enable its members to buy homes, to save and accumulate money and obtain the largest interest on same. Every member of said association according to his holdings would participate in the profits and benefits. The loans were made to members and money advanced under the mutual building and loan association plan. The funds of said association being available to those who desired to participate in this plan.

The association was incorporated by its founders and capitalized for two hundred fifty thousand dollars or twenty-five hundred shares at one hundred dollars each. The articles of incorporation were filed for record at the Platte County Court House on February 21, 1905.

In January, 1907, the articles of incorporation were amended so that the amount of capital stock was raised from twenty-five hundred to five thousand shares and the capital raised to five hundred thousand dollars. Daniel Schram was president and John S. Becher, secretary. The amended articles were filed for record January 22, 1907. A report in January, 1909, showed an increase in savings. Daniel Schrarn served as president of the association from 1905 to 1915.

At a special meeting of the stockholders in October, 1919, articles four and ten were amended, raising the capital stock to one million dollars or ten thousand shares of one hundred dollars each. The amended articles were signed by Henry Ragatz, president; J. C. Echols, secretary, and filed for record February 19, 1920.

The officers and directors for 1936: E.. M. Ragatz, president; C. B. Fricke, vice president; W. A. Boettcher, treasurer; J. C. Echols, secretary; Louis Lightner, director. For 1946: E. M. Ragatz, president; Louis Lightner, vice president; Walter A. Boettcher, secretary-treasurer; directors, Doctor H. E. Snyder, Robert E. Lund, A. H. Backus. For 1948: Louis Lightner, president; Doctor H. E. Snyder, vice president; Walter A. Boettcher, secretary-treasurer; directors, Robert E. Lund and P. L. Bauer.

The general plan of the association in 1949

was the same as its original plan. Changes were made in capital stock at different times to meet the needs of the association. The business has grown under able and honest management through the years.

COLUMBUS BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

The early pioneers of Nebraska were noted for their rugged individualism but by the early 1880's, co-operative self-help as an economic force was pushing its way into the state.

In 1883, the first Building and Loan Association was started in Omaha, Nebraska, under the title of the Omaha Loan and Building Association.

On June 15, 1885, a group of Columbus business men organized the Columbus Building and Loan Association. It had a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars divided into one thousand shares of one hundred dollars each.

The incorporators were: W. A. McAllister; George

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