First National Bank, Donora, PA (Charter 5835)

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The old First National Bank located on the corner of McKean Avenue and Sixth Street, Donora, Pennsylvania. At the time this picture was taken ca2021, the building was home to the Donora Smog Museum
The old First National Bank located on the corner of McKean Avenue and Sixth Street, Donora, Pennsylvania. At the time this picture was taken ca2021, the building was home to the Donora Smog Museum. Courtesy of Google Maps

First National Bank, Donora, PA (Chartered 1901 - Liquidated 1932)

Town History

Photos of William H. Donner, founder of Donora, president of the Union Improvement Company, the Union Steel Company (later American Steel and Wire Company), and founding director of the First National Bank of Donora
Photos of William H. Donner, founder of Donora, president of the Union Improvement Company, the Union Steel Company (later American Steel and Wire Company), and founding director of the First National Bank of Donora. Source: Donora Digital Collection

Donora is a borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, approximately 20 miles south of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River. The population was 4,558 as of the 2020 census. In 1910, the population was 8,174, peaking at 14,131 in 1920.

Donora was incorporated in 1901. It takes its name from a portmanteau of William Donner and Nora Mellon, wife of banker Andrew W. Mellon. The borough's nickname is "The Home of Champions", mainly because of the large number of famous athletes who have called Donora their home, including Baseball Hall of Fame outfielders Stan Musial and Ken Griffey Jr. Agriculture, coal-mining, steel-making, wire-making, and other industries were conducted in Donora early in its history; its Rust Belt location has lost most of its industrial capacity. It is in the "Mon Valley", 5 miles downriver from Charleroi and 25 miles upstream of Braddock.

Donora's neighborhood known as "Cement City" is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The homes built in the neighborhood are completely made out of pre-formed and poured concrete. This structural building technique was championed by Thomas Edison, and was used by neighborhoods throughout the United States. The homes were built as employee housing for the Donora Wire and Steel Mill in the early 1900s.

The town was the scene of the infamous Donora Smog of 1948. Between October 26 and October 31, 1948, an air inversion trapped industrial effluent (air pollution) from the American Steel and Wire plant and Donora Zinc Works. During this spike in air pollution, 6,000 people suffered respiratory problems and extreme discomfort. "In three days, 20 people died... After the inversion lifted, another 50 died, including Lukasz Musial, the father of baseball great Stan Musial. Hundreds more finished the rest of their lives with damaged lungs and hearts." The incident made national headlines. Today, the town is home to the Donora Smog Museum which tells the impact of the Donora Smog on the air quality standards enacted by the federal government in subsequent years.

Donora had two National Banks chartered during the Bank Note Era, and both of those banks issued National Bank Notes.

Bank History

Photo of L.G. Tomer's Drug store operating in the First National Bank Building with Lew Tomer and Dr. M.H. Day. Source: Donora Digital Collection
Photo of L.G. Tomer's Drug store operating in the First National Bank Building with Lew Tomer and Dr. M.H. Day. Source: Donora Digital Collection
Bank of Donora paperweight. The officers were J. Add. Sprowls, president; George W. Thomas, vice president; and Charles F. Thomas, cashier
Bank of Donora paperweight. The officers were J. Add. Sprowls, president; George W. Thomas, vice president; and Charles F. Thomas, cashier.
Bank of Donora ca1900s. The bank was located on the corner of Fifth Street and McKean Avenue, Donora, Pennsylvania
Bank of Donora ca1900s. The bank was located on the corner of Fifth Street and McKean Avenue, Donora, Pennsylvania.
  • Organized August 10, 1900
  • Chartered May 25, 1901
  • Opened for business July 15, 1901
  • Liquidated December 12, 1932
  • Succeeded by 13644 (Union National Bank, Donora, PA)
  • Circulation assumed by 13644 (Union National Bank, Donora, PA)

In August 1900, an application to organize the First National bank of Donora with capital $75,000 was approved by the comptroller of the currency. The applicants were William I. Berryman, 335 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh; John W. Ailes, C.F. Thompson, S.H. Waddell, W.H. Donner, and A.W. Mellon.[1]

On July 15, 1901, the bank opened in temporary quarters in the Ailes Building[2] on McKean, but the contract had been let with the Donora Lumber Co. for a new, three-story brick and stone bank building opposite, costing about $40,000. The building would be for the bank and for offices. The bank had the following directors and officers: John W. Ailes, president; W.H. Donner, S.H. Waddell, A.W. Mellon, and W.I. Berryman, secretary, of Pittsburgh; Burgess B.W. Castner of Donora, and C.F. Thompson of Charleroi. Work on the large steel plant of the union Steel Co. was being rushed forward and it was expected to have the continuous mills producing rods, wire and nails shortly after June 1st.[3]

On Wednesday, July 24, 1901, stockholders met to effect a permanent organization and the following officers were elected: W.I. Berryman, president; John W. Ailes, cashier; W.I. Berryman, A.W. Mellon, W.H. Donner, Bert W. Castner, J.N. Mullin, and Charles F. Thompson, directors. The bank had capital of $75,000, $40,000 of which had been paid in and the balance was called for at once.[4] 

In September 1901, the promoters and applicants for stock in the new bank for Donora decided to make the capital $60,000.  The following officers were elected:  N.L. Biddle of Carmichaels, president; Theodore J. Allen of Charleroi, first vice president; Dr. B.F. Mullen of Donora, second vice president; Rev. R.L. Biddle of Coal Center, cashier; R.W. Parkinson, Jr., Washington, solicitor; T.J. Allen, J.W. Dague, N.H. Biddle, J.A. Sprowls, W.S. Spragg, W.N. Worrell, Dr. B.F. Mullin, directors.  Three lots at Fifth Street and McKean Avenue were purchased for a bank site.[5] In October 1901, the Rev. J.T. Neel, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister of Bentleyville was elected assistant cashier of the Bank of Donora.  He purchased a lot on Fifth Street and constructed a residence.[6]

In March 1903, the Donora Trust Co., chartered sometime ago with a nominal capital stock of $1,000, held a meeting of stockholders. It was found that over $300,000 had been subscribed and a committee was appointed to apportion same, making the capital stock $125,000. The following directors were elected: W.H. Binns, M.J. O'Donnel, J.N. Mullen, W.I. Berryman, Jos. Underwood, B.F. Thompson, A.B. Devall, J.W. Ailes, Bert W. Castner, W.H. Farrell, A.W. Mellon, J.W. Donner, W.H. Donner, R.L. Johnson, John G. Coatsworth, R.L. Biddle and George W. Allen. The officers elected were W.H. Binns, president; J.N. Mullin, vice president; John W. Ailes, secretary and treasurer. The bank would open April 15 in the First National Bank building.[7] In April 1903, John W. Ailes was chose president of the Donora Trust Company, succeeding W.H. Binns.[8] [NOTE: this is the Union Trust Company of Donora.] 

In August 1903, the Union Trust Company of Donora and the Bank of Donora were considering their consolidation. The trust company was dominated by the Mellon interests, although a large part of the stock was held in Washington County. Its capital was $125,000 and the company had been in business about three months.  The capital of the Bank of Donora was $100,000 with surplus and undivided profit of $18,000.  It was organized about two years earlier. Its $60,000 building netted the bank 6% on its capital stock, besides giving the bank quarters rent free. Stock of the Bank of Donora was quoted at $150, par being $100.[9]

In April 1903, James G. Binns, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Donora, was elected cashier of the Citizens Bank of Fayette City which was recently organized with a capital stock of $50,000. Mr. Binns would be one of the youngest bank cashiers, not having passed his 22d birthday.[10] 

On April 14, 1904, the directors of the Bank of Donora voted to consolidate with the Union Trust Co. of Donora, making one of the biggest and strongest financial institutions in the valley.[11] In November, W.C. Binns, secretary and treasurer of the Union Trust Co., Donora, was made cashier of the Bank of Donora, vice R.L. Biddle, resigned.[12] In January 1930, reorganization of the Donora Bank & Trust Co. of Donora resulted in the election of W.W. Lewis as vice president to succeed Charles F. Thomas, executive vice president for several years and long a director. Mr. Thomas announced his retirement and his place on the board would not be filled.  All other officers of the bank were re-elected.  Dr. J. Add. Sprowls was president and C.M. Kennedy, cashier.[13]

In October 1907, the contract was awarded for the remodeling of the banking rooms to provide extra space for the handling of business. The change would reduce the directors' room and add ten feet more to the length of the public room, making it a total of 45 feet. The fixtures were being made by the same concern which made the originals and would perfectly match those in use. All the wood work was paneled mahogany, giving a very rich effect. The tile floor would be extended to complete the addition to the lobby.[14]

In September 1919, J.P. Castner was running for county treasurer. James P. Castner was born and reared on the site of the town of Donora. His ancestors settled on the Castner homestead in 1775 and in 1794 received a patent to 282 acres of river bottom, the patent bearing the signature of Governor Mifflin. The Castner holdings were sold to the Union Improvement Co. in 1900 and the town of Donora was founded. Mr. Castner was the only son of the late Bert W. Castner. He attended Washington & Jefferson College and later engaged in real estate with his father. He helped organize the Union Trust Company, one of the valley's leading banking institutions of which he was president and also was a director of the First National Bank of Donora. 

L.G. Tomer's Drug store operated in the First National Bank Building.  His sister Ella K. married James P. Castner on November 22, 1898 and they moved into the old Castner homestead, later the Donora American Legion Home.  In 1901, they moved into a new residence in Donora, one of the first homes built there.[15]

The afternoon of April 12, 1931, William I. Berryman, 65, trust officer of the Union Trust Company of Pittsburgh and prominent in business and financial circles in Western Pennsylvania was found dead in his apartment in the William Penn Hotel. The body was discovered by employees of the hotel who entered to clean the apartment. A heart ailment was the cause of death. Berryman was born in Washington County in August, 1865, a son of John W. and Anna House Berryman. He was educated in the public schools and later attended and graduated from California Normal School. He taught school for a while after his graduation, worked as a clerk in a store and after taking a special course in the business college at Poughkeepsie, New York, registered for the study of law with Judge Acheson of Washington, Pa. While reading law he attended Waynesburg College and later was admitted to practice and became the law partner of Judge Norman E. Clark. In 1897 Mr. Berryman came to Pittsburgh as trust officer for the Union Trust Company, a position he held at the time of his death. For a time he was also a partner in the firm of J.W. Berryman & Sons, merchants of Coal Center, Pa. He aided in the organization and building of the Pittsburgh & Charleroi Street Railway Co. and West Side Street Railway Co., serving as president of both concerns; and the Webster, Monessen, Belle Vernon & Fayette City Street Railway of which he was vice president. He also organized the Citizens Water Co., of Washington, Pa.; North Strabane Water Co. of Canonsburg, and Monongahela City Water Co., Monongahela. With A.W. Mellon, Thomas L. Daly, Charles F. Thompson, James S. and John C. McKean, Mr. Berryman organized the Bank of Charleroi and Trust Company, being first vice president and director. He was also vice president of the Union Trust Company of Clairton; director of the First National Bank of Finleyville; Babcock-Carrier Lumber Co.; Connellsville, Courier Publishing Co.; and the Tilghman Island Club. Mr. Berryman took an active interest in military affairs for many years being a member of the Tenth Regiment, National Guard. He was appointed district chief of the Pittsburgh Chemical Warfare District in 1929, having charge of the chemical activities of eighteen states.[16]

On June 1, 1931, Ben G. Binns, vice president of the First National Bank of Donora and president of the Union Trust Company, arranged for the Mellon National Bank of Pittsburgh, through the Mellbank Corporation, to assume a majority interest in all the banking institutions of Donora. This consummation was made after the Union Trust Company purchased the Bank of Donora and Trust Company which in reality was a consolidation of the Union Trust and the Bank of Donora. The Union Trust would own and occupy the building occupied by the Bank of Donora on the corner of McKean Avenue and Fifth Street. Although the Mellbank Corp. would own a majority interest in both institutions, the officers of both the First National and the Union Trust Co. would remain unchanged. At the First National, John W. Ailes remained as president; Ben G. Binns, vice president and active head; H.O. Colgan, cashier and trust officer; and A.O. Farquhar, assistant cashier and assistant trust officer. Union Trust Co. president Ben G. Binns remained and would be actively in charge with Charles Potter, vice president; F.J. McCue, secretary and treasurer; and Lawrence B. Finley, assistant secretary and treasurer. All the employees of the bank of Donora and Trust Co. would be retained.[17]

On Tuesday, January 12, 1932, the stockholders elected the following directors: John W. Ailes, Paul Mellon, Ben G. Binns, William H. Binns, D.M. Anderson, H.O. Colgan, W.W. Croner, R.E. Hoopes, George Gordon, Ross M. Ridgely, Harold F. Vogel, and J.F. Patterson. The officers elected were John W. Ailes, president; Ben G. Binns, vice president; H.O. Colgan, cashier; A.O. Farquhar, assistant cashier.[18]

On October 28, 1932, the comptroller of the currency granted a charter to the Union National Bank of Donora, formed to combine the business of the First National Bank of Donora and the Union Trust Company of Donora. The capital of $200,000 and surplus of $100,000 of the new bank was paid in by the directors of the First National Bank, the Union Trust Co., and the Mellbank Corporation.[19] On November 7, 1932, after 30 years of business, the First National Bank of Donora passed out of existence, joining with the former Union Trust Company in forming the Union National Bank of Donora. The new institution opened its doors for business with Ben G. Binns, former vice president of the First National Bank, as its president.[20]

In September 1948, the Union National Bank of Donora became a branch of Mellon National Bank & Trust Co., according to board chairman, Richard K. Mellon. Howard O. Colgan, vice president and cashier, would serve as the new manager. Benjamin G. Binns, president of the Donora bank would serve on the advisory committee. The Union National Bank had total resources of more than $8,500,000 on June 30th.[21] Arnold O. Farquhar and Will R. Maurer were named assistant managers.[22]

Official Bank Title(s)

1: The First National Bank of Donora, PA

Bank Note Types Issued

1882 Brown Back $5 bank note with SN 1D and pen signatures of Herbert Ailes, Cashier and Bert W. Castner, Vice President. This is a Replacement note
1882 Brown Back $5 bank note with SN 1D and pen signatures of Herbert Ailes, Cashier and Bert W. Castner, Vice President. This is a Replacement note. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
1882 Brown Back $5 bank note with SN 1C and stamped signatures of H.O. Colgan, Cashier and Ben G. Binns, Vice President
1882 Brown Back $5 bank note with SN 1C and stamped signatures of H.O. Colgan, Cashier and Ben G. Binns, Vice President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
1929 Type 1 $10 bank note with printed signatures of H.O. Colgan, Cashier and John W. Ailes, President
1929 Type 1 $10 bank note with printed signatures of H.O. Colgan, Cashier and John W. Ailes, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com

A total of $1,688,890 in National Bank Notes was issued by this bank between 1901 and 1932. This consisted of a total of 204,464 notes (178,400 large size and 26,064 small size notes).

This bank issued the following Types and Denominations of bank notes:

Series/Type Sheet/Denoms Serial#s Sheet Comments
1882 Brown Back 4x5 1 - 2000
1882 Brown Back 3x10-20 1 - 4500
1882 Date Back 4x5 1 - 7550
1882 Date Back 3x10-20 1 - 5180
1882 Value Back 4x5 7551 - 11480
1882 Value Back 3x10-20 5181 - 7792
1902 Plain Back 4x5 1 - 11310
1902 Plain Back 3x10-20 1 - 7518
1929 Type 1 6x5 1 - 2689
1929 Type 1 6x10 1 - 1278
1929 Type 1 6x20 1 - 377

Bank Presidents and Cashiers

Bank Presidents and Cashiers during the National Bank Note Era (1901 - 1932):

Presidents:

Cashiers:

Other Known Bank Note Signers

Bank Note History Links

Sources

  1. ↑ The Philadelphia Times, Philadelphia, PA, Sat., Aug. 4, 1900.
  2. ↑ The Daily Republican, Monongahela, PA, Mon., July 15, 1901.
  3. ↑ The Daily Republican, Monongahela, PA, Mon., May 27, 1901.
  4. ↑ Monongahela Valley Republican, Monongahela, PA, Thu., July 25, 1901.
  5. ↑ The Daily Republican, Monongahela, PA, Wed., Sep. 18, 1901.
  6. ↑ The Daily Republican, Monongahela, PA, Sat., Oct. 26, 1901.
  7. ↑ The Daily Republican, Monongahela, PA, Fri., Mar. 27, 1903.
  8. ↑ The Daily Republican, Monongahela, PA, Fri., Apr. 24, 1903.
  9. ↑ Monongahela Valley Republican, Monongahela, PA, Thu., Aug. 27, 1903.
  10. ↑ The Daily Republican, Monongahela, PA, Sat., Apr. 18, 1903.
  11. ↑ Monongahela Valley Republican, Monongahela, PA, Thu., Apr. 14, 1904.
  12. ↑ The Pittsburgh Post, Pittsburgh, PA, Tue., Nov. 22, 1904.
  13. ↑ The Daily Republican, Monongahela, PA, Sat., Jan. 11, 1930.
  14. ↑ The Daily Republican, Monongahela, PA, Sat., Oct. 26, 1907.
  15. ↑ The Daily Republican, Monongahela, PA, Wed., Nov. 14, 1951.
  16. ↑ The Daily Republican, Monongahela, PA, Mon., Apr 13, 1931.
  17. ↑ The Daily Notes, Canonsburg, PA, Mon., June 1, 1931.
  18. ↑ The Daily Republican, Monongahela, PA, Wed., Jan. 13, 1932.
  19. ↑ The Daily Republican, Monongahela, PA, Thu., Nov. 3, 1932.
  20. ↑ The Daily Republican, Monongahela, PA, Tue., Nov. 8, 1932.
  21. ↑ The Daily Notes, Canonsburg, PA, Wed., Aug. 11, 1948.
  22. ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, PA, Mon., Sep. 13, 1948.
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