Commercial and Farmers NB, Baltimore, MD (Charter 1303)
Commercial and Farmers NB, Baltimore, MD (Chartered 1865 - Liquidated 1911)
Town History
Baltimore is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, the fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic, and the 30th most populous city in the United States with a population of 585,708 in 2020. Baltimore was designated an independent city by the Constitution of Maryland in 1851, and today it is the most populous independent city in the nation. As of 2021, the population of the Baltimore metropolitan area was estimated to be 2,838,327, making it the nation's 20th largest metropolitan area. Baltimore is located about 40 miles north northeast of Washington, D.C., making it a principal city in the Washington–Baltimore combined statistical area (CSA), the third-largest CSA in the nation, with a 2021 estimated population of 9,946,526.
The Battle of Baltimore was a pivotal engagement during the War of 1812, culminating in the failed British bombardment of Fort McHenry, during which Francis Scott Key wrote a poem that would become "The Star-Spangled Banner", which was eventually designated as the American national anthem in 1931. During the Pratt Street Riot of 1861, the city was the site of some of the earliest violence associated with the American Civil War.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the oldest railroad in the United States, was built in 1830 and cemented Baltimore's status as a major transportation hub, giving producers in the Midwest and Appalachia access to the city's port. Baltimore's Inner Harbor was once the second leading port of entry for immigrants to the United States. In addition, Baltimore was a major manufacturing center.
On February 7, 1904, the Great Baltimore Fire destroyed over 1,500 buildings in 30 hours, leaving more than 70 blocks of the downtown area burned to the ground. Damages were estimated at $150 million in 1904 dollars. As the city rebuilt during the next two years, lessons learned from the fire led to improvements in firefighting equipment standards.
Baltimore had 28 National Banks chartered during the Bank Note Era, and all 28 of those banks issued National Bank Notes.
Bank History
- Organized May 12, 1865
- Chartered June 17, 1865
- Succeeded Commercial and Farmers Bank
- Liquidated April 6, 1911
- Absorbed by 1432 (National Bank of Baltimore, MD)
The Commercial and Farmers Bank was charted in 1810.
The history of the Commercial and Farmers' National Bank, Howard and German Streets, recounts many vicissitudes and early trials of Baltimore City, not the least of which was the threatened invasion of the British in 1813, as retold from the official minutes of this bank in an old journal, written with a Quill pen, as follows: Isett's Inn, Baltimore, May 1813. At a meeting of the committee appointed by the several banks in the city of Baltimore for the purpose of devising the ways and means of raising a sum of money to be used in defending the city against the threatened invasion by the enemy there was present:
- Bank of Maryland: William Cooke, Esq., James Hindman, Esq.
- Bank of Baltimore: William Gorman, Esq., Alex. McDonald, Esq.
- Union Bank of Maryland: David Winchester, Esq., Jno. E. Dorsey, Esq.
- Mechanics' Bank: Alex. Brown, Esq., Christe Raborg, Esq.
- Commercial and Farmers' Bank: Jos. N. Nicholson, Esq., G. Schwartze, Esq.
- Franklin Bank: Philip Moore, Esq., David Burke, Esq.
- Marine Bank: Arch. Keen, Esq., Hugh Waters, Esq.
- Farmers and Merchants': N. Brice, Esq.
The following proceedings took place: Resolved, That the several banks will lend to the city of Baltimore (to be expended in defense of the city) the sum of five hundred thousand dollars. The loan to be in proportion to the capital paid into the respective banks, and upon such security as the city can offer. (Signed) “Geo. T. Dunbar, Cashier.”
In November 1846, Eli Clagett, Esq., was elected president of the Commercial and Farmers' Bank vice Jacob Albert, Esq., resigned.
On Monday, May 7, 1860, quite an affair transpired at the Commercial and Farmers' Bank, corner of Howard and German Streets, the occasion being the election of a president and board of directors. After the disposal of business, the clerks and officers partook of a collation served up by the Messrs. Coleman of the Eutaw House.
On Tuesday, January 9, 1866, the stockholders elected the following directors: Albert Schumacher, Charles M. Keyser, Joseph H. Rieman, Charles Hoffman, Augustus J. Albert, John Cushing, William Devries, Robert R. Kirkland, and Jesse Slingluff. On the 12th, at a meeting of the board of directors, Jesse Slingluff was re-elected president. Trueman Cross was cashier.
On Tuesday, January 13, 1880, the stockholders re-elected the following directors: Jesse Slingluff, Joseph H. Rieman, Aug. J. Albert, William Carmichael, John Cushing, G.A. Von Lingen, G.W. Bansemer, W.J.H. Watters, and W.R. Devries. On the 16th, at a meeting of the board of directors, Jesse Slingluff was unanimously elected president, and Joseph Rieman, vice president. John D. Early was cashier.
On Tuesday, January 10, 1882, the stockholders re-elected the following directors: Jesse Slingluff, Joseph H. Rieman, Aug. J. Albert, William Carmichael, John Cushing, G.A. Von Lingen, G.W. Bansemer, W.J.H. Watters, and W.R. Devries. On the 13th, at a meeting of the board of directors, Jesse Slingluff, president, and Joseph Rieman, vice president, were unanimously elected. John D. Early was cashier, John A. McGreevy, bookkeeper; John D. Early and Neilson Poe, tellers.
On Tuesday, January 11, 1887, the stockholders re-elected the following directors: Joseph H. Rieman, Geo. A. Von Lingen, Wm. Carmichael, W.G. Bansemer, W.J.H. Watters, Dr. Frank Slingluff, Thos. W. Johnson, Aug. J. Albert, Jr., and Alonzo Lilly, Jr. On the 14th, at a meeting of the board of directors, Mr. Joseph H. Rieman declined a nomination for the presidency, and on motion Mr. Geo. A. Von Lingen was unanimously elected president, and Dr. Frank Slingluff, vice president.
On Tuesday, January 9, 1894, the stockholders re-elected the following directors: Joseph H. Rieman, G.A. Von Lingen, W.J.H. Watters, Frank Slingluff, A.J. Albert, A. Lilly, Lloyd L. Jackson, Frank Kerr, and J. Winfield Henry. On the 12th, the directors unanimously re-elected G.A. Von Lingen, president and Frank Slingluff, vice president. John D. Early was cashier.
On Monday, October 26, 1903, the banking house at No. 15 South Street, opposite German and next to the Safe Deposit and Trust Co., was opened after extensive improvements. Lawrence B. Kemp was president and Wilson Keyser, cashier. Around December 10, Mr. Kemp, formerly of Frederick, tendered his resignation to the directions and it was accepted. Rumor in circulation criticizing the managment was the cause. Upon the recommendation of Comptroller of the Currency Ridgely, Mr. W.A. Mason, one of the national bank examiners for the Baltimore district, was placed in charge of the affairs of the bank.
In January 1904, the directors elected were George A. Von Lingen, Charles E. Rieman, Robert Ramsay, W.J.H. Watters, George R. Willis, Charles W. Field, and Wilson Keyser. Mr. Rieman was the temporary president although Mr. W.A. Mason, the national bank examiners, was practically in charge. All doubtful assets were charged off including $115,000 from the cost of the banking house on South Street. A proposition was made by the Commercial and Farmers National to the Maryland National Bank for a merger of their stock, business and interests. The impression prevailed that the offer would not be approved by the Maryland National. Part of the plan for reorganization was to move from the new home at 15 South Street back to the old house at the southwest corner of Howard and German Streets. Both banks were largely dependent on the wholesale merchants in that section of the city for business and a merger would be beneficial to them.
The Maryland National Bank was formerly the Peoples National Bank and had been in business at its present location for a number of years. Thornton Rollins was the president and by far largest stockholder. Mr. Rollins and his friends acquired control of the management about a year ago. The bank had capital of $200,000, Loans and discounts $362,874.39, U.S. Bonds to secure circulation $50,000, banking house, furniture and fixtures $122,000 for total assets of $682,753.68. The officers and directors were Thornton Rollins, president; Joseph A. McKellip, cashier; Thornton Rollins, Rufus Woods, F.C. Seeman, G.A. Schlens, W.W. Edmondson, J.W. Ellard, H.S. Platt, William J. Chapman, J.S. MacDonald, C. O'Donnell Lee, H.M. Wagner and Lloyd L. Jackson, Jr., directors.
About January 23, 1904, Mr. Henry M. Mason, formerly cashier of the Manufacturers National Bank was elected cashier of the Commercial and Farmers National Bank to succeed Mr. Wilson Keyser who would be retained as assistant cashier. When the Manufacturers bank was absorbed by the First National Bank a few months ago, Mr. Mason obtained a position in the latter bank. The reorganization plan was rejected by the Maryland National. The Commercial and Farmers planned to move back to its old home on Howard and German Streets on February 1st.
On Sunday morning, February 7, 1904, fire broke out in the dry good house of the John E. Hurst Co. situated in the heart of the business district of Baltimore. It took until 5 o'clock Monday Evening before an official announcement was made that the flames were under control. The loss, estimated from $100-$150 million included the Commercial and Farmers National Bank on South Street. Right in the path of the greatest destruction, with the Sun Building to the north a total ruin and the Commercial and Farmers National Bank of the south gutted and a blazing fire in the rear, the only damage to the Safe Deposit and Trust Company Building was a few broken windows and a burned desk in the president's office in the northeast corner. The beautiful new marble buildings of Hambleton & Co., the Commercial and Farmers National, and the National Bank of Commerce were completely burned out. The partial destruction of the South Street banking house was fully covered by insurance. The affect was minimal due to the move a few days earlier to the old quarters on the corner of Howard and German Streets where, after the fire, the bank was able to extend every reasonable facility to old friends and the public.
In January 1905, Messrs. Robert Ramsay and George R. Willis retired on account of pressures of business and Mr. Charles W. Field retired to become counsel of the bank. The new directors were Messrs. James M. Easter of Daniel Miller & Co.; Benjamin W. Corkran, Jr. of Streett & Cockran; Jacob M. Lauchheimer of M.H. Lauchheimer & Sons; Frederick H. Gottlieb of the Gottlieb-Bauernschmidt-Strauss Brewing Company. The following officers were re-elected: Walter A. Mason, president; George A. Von Lingen, vice president; Harry M. Mason, cashier; and Charles C. Smith, assistant cashier. Mr. F.V. Baldwin who had been the Southern representative with headquarters in Richmond would in the future make his headquarters in Baltimore and have the title of assistant cashier.
In February 1911, Mr. Samuel H. Shriver resigned the presidency to become assistant to Mr. John R. Bland of the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company. On February 25, almost coincidentally with the resignation of Mr. Shriver, the boards of the National Bank of Baltimore and the Commercial and Farmers ratified the proposition of a merger with more than two thirds of the stockholders of the Commercial and Farmers acquiescing in the transfer. It was understood that the sentiment of the remaining one-third also was in favor of this step. Prior permission had been obtained from the comptroller of the currency and it was said it was to have received his unqualified approval. With a capital of $500,000 and undivided profits aggregating $114,000, the Commercial and Farmers National was acquired on the basis of liquidation value. At the same time the National Bank of Baltimore had $6,300,000 in deposits adding $1,300,000 for a total of $7,600,000.
The merger unified two of the oldest banking institutions in the country. The National Bank of Baltimore, third oldest having been established in 1795, and the Commercial and Farmers National Bank in April 1810. From the date of its opening, the National Bank of Baltimore was located at Baltimore and St. Paul Streets while the Commercial and Farmers had occupied the corner of Howard and German Streets. All the officers would be retained and moved to the banking house at St. Paul and Baltimore Streets. Several members of the board of the Commercial and Farmers would be added to the directorate of the National Bank of Baltimore.
Official Bank Title(s)
1: The Commercial and Farmers National Bank of Baltimore, MD
Bank Note Types Issued
A total of $3,640,470 in National Bank Notes was issued by this bank between 1865 and 1911. This consisted of a total of 415,404 notes (415,404 large size and No small size notes).
This bank issued the following Types and Denominations of bank notes:
Series/Type Sheet/Denoms Serial#s Sheet Comments Original Series 3x1-2 1 - 1500 Original Series 4x5 1 - 17525 Original Series 3x10-20 1 - 5700 Original Series 50-100 1 - 800 Original Series 500-1000 1 - 30 Series 1875 4x5 1 - 6500 Series 1875 3x10-20 1 - 3358 Series 1875 50-100 1 - 334 1882 Brown Back 4x5 1 - 14474 1882 Brown Back 3x10-20 1 - 8711 1902 Red Seal 4x5 1 - 9500 1902 Red Seal 4x10 1 - 9000 1902 Red Seal 50-100 1 - 2800 1902 Date Back 4x5 1 - 11730 1902 Date Back 4x10 1 - 13871
Bank Presidents and Cashiers
Bank Presidents and Cashiers during the National Bank Note Era (1865 - 1911):
Presidents:
- Jesse Slingluff, 1865-1881
- Joseph Henry Rieman, 1882-1886
- George Albert Von Lingen, 1887-1894
- Joseph Henry Rieman, 1895-1895
- Lawrence Brengle Kemp, 1896-1903
- Charles Ellet Rieman, 1903-1904
- Walter Augustus Mason, 1904-1906
- James Miller Easter, 1907-1908
- Samuel Henry Shriver, 1909-1911
Cashiers:
- Trueman Cross, 1865-1875
- John Drennan Early, 1876-1894
- Lawrence Brengle Kemp, 1895-1895
- Wilson Keyser, 1896-1903
- Harry Mills Mason, 1904-1906
- Frank Vernon Baldwin, 1907-1908
- Harry Mills Mason, 1909-1909
- Maxwell Cathcart, 1910-1911
Other Bank Note Signers
- There are currently no known Vice President or Assistant Cashier bank note signers for this bank.
Wiki Links
- Maryland Bank Note History
- General information on Baltimore (Wikipedia)
- General information on Baltimore County (Wikipedia)
- General information on Maryland (Wikipedia)
Sources
- Baltimore, MD, on Wikipedia
- Don C. Kelly, National Bank Notes, A Guide with Prices. 6th Edition (Oxford, OH: The Paper Money Institute, 2008).
- Dean Oakes and John Hickman, Standard Catalog of National Bank Notes. 2nd Edition (Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1990).
- Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935), https://spmc.org/bank-note-history-project
- The Baltimore Daily Commercial, Baltimore, MD, Thu., Nov. 5, 1846.
- The Baltimore Sun., Baltimore, MD, Tue., May 8, 1860.
- The Baltimore Daily Commercial, Baltimore, MD, Mon., Jan. 15, 1866.
- The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, MD, Sat., Jan. 17, 1880.
- The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, MD, Sat., Jan. 14, 1882.
- The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, MD, Sat., Jan. 15, 1887.
- The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, MD, Sat., Jan. 13, 1894.
- The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, MD, Sun., Oct. 25, 1903.
- The News, Frederick, MD, Fri., Dec. 11, 1903.
- The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, MD, Tue., Jan. 19, 1904.
- The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, MD, Tue., Feb. 9, 1904.
- The Aegis, Bel Air, MD, Fri., Feb. 12, 1904.
- The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, MD, Fri., Feb. 12, 1904.
- The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, MD, Fri., Jan. 13, 1905.
- The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, MD, Mon., Jan. 23, 1905.
- The News, Frederick, MD, Sat., Feb. 25, 1911.
- The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, MD, Sun., Feb. 26, 1911.