First National Bank, Greencastle, PA (Charter 1081)

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Postcard view of the square with the Town Clock Tower erected in 1872 on the First National Bank of Greencastle, Pennsylvania, ca1950s. 
Postcard view of the square with the Town Clock Tower erected in 1872 on the First National Bank of Greencastle, Pennsylvania, ca1950s.  Courtesy of Adam Stroup

First National Bank, Greencastle, PA (Chartered 1865 - Closed (Merger) 2009)

Town History

Photo of the old First National Bank building ca2018.
Photo of the old First National Bank building ca2018.  Courtesy of Google Maps

Greencastle is a borough in Franklin County in south-central Pennsylvania. The population was 3,996 at the 2010 census. Greencastle lies within the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania.

Greencastle was founded in 1783 by John Allison from the Barkdoll House. The town was named after Greencastle, County Donegal, Ireland. By 1790 there were about 60 houses in Greencastle, homes to approximately 400 people. The town of Greencastle had grown by the mid-nineteenth century to 1,125 residents.

In 1845, following the succession crisis in the Latter Day Saint movement, Sidney Rigdon (one of the three main contenders along with James Strang and Brigham Young for leadership of the Latter Day Saints following the death of Joseph Smith) took his followers to Pennsylvania and formed a Rigdonite Mormon settlement at Greencastle. This settlement had approximately 200 followers. They founded the New Jerusalem settlement between Greencastle and Mercersburg, published the Conochoheague Herald newspaper in Greencastle, and made plans for the construction of a temple. The Rigdonite Mormon settlement at Greencastle only lasted a few years; some former Rigdon followers went to Utah to join Brigham Young, while William Bickerton, who had opposed Rigdon's move to Greencastle, would eventually reorganize the remaining Pennsylvania branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in Pittsburgh as The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite).

Geiser Manufacturing Company was an early manufacturing company in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. Geiser Manufacturing was incorporated in 1869 by Peter and Daniel Geiser.[1] The company built grain separators, threshers, plows, and steam traction engines. The company's brand name was Peerless. In 1899 the company expanded outside Waynesboro and bought the Crowell industrial park in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, and began producing Geiser's first gasoline engines there. Up to this point, all its products had been steam-powered.

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

Bank History

  • Organized March 4, 1865
  • Chartered April 28, 1865
  • Bank was Open past 1935
  • For Bank History after 1935 see FDIC Bank History website
  • Merged into Graystone Tower Bank in Lancaster, PA March 31, 2009

On Saturday, March 4, 1865, the First National Bank of Green Castle was organized. James C. McLanahan, Esq., was president, L.H. Fletcher of Lancaster, cashier, and Jas. C. McLanahan, Jno. Ruthrauff, Melchi Snively, Jacob Shook, Jno. Rowe, Geo. W. Zeigler, Jno. Wilhelm, A.B. Wingerd, Jacob B. Crowell, Jesse Craig, and S.A. Bradley, directors. The issue of the three banks now organized in this county would not be as large as the issue of the Bank of Chambersburg alone under the State laws, and it was noted that three banks would have to be sustained on the same business formerly done by the Bank of Chambersburg. The three banks in Franklin County were limited in their issue as follows:[1]

Franklin County Banks (1865)
Bank Capital Circulation
National Bank of Chambersburg 260,000 234,000
First National Bank of Waynesboro 50,000 45,000
First National Bank of Green Castle 100,000 90,000

In January 1871, the directors were Jacob Shook, A.S. Bradley, John Ruthrauff, Benjamin Snively, Jacob B. Crowell, A.B. Wingerd, John Wilhelm, Dr. J.K. Davidson, John Rowe, and George W. Zeigler. The officers were James C. McLanahan, president, and L.H. Fletcher, cashier.[2]

On January 14, 1873, stockholders elected the following directors: J.C. McLanahan, Benjamin Snively, Jacob Zook, John Rowe, John Wilhelm, Wm. D. McKinstry, Jacob B. Crowell, A.B. Wingerd, John Ruthrauff, J.D. Davidson, and George W. Zeigler.[3]

In January 1880, the following gentlemen were elected directors of the First National Bank of Green Castle: J.C. McLanahan, Jacob Shook, J.K. Davidson, John Rowe, Benj. Snively, Geo. W. Zeigler, Jacob Pensinger, J.B. Crowell, John H. Shook, Lazarus Kennedy, and B.F. Winger.[4]

In January 1881, the following gentlemen were elected directors: Jacob Shook, J.M. Crowell, Benj. Snively, J.K. Davidson, John H. Shook, Lazarus Kennedy, Jacob Pensinger, John Carl, J.C> McLanahan, Geo. W. Ziegler, and John Wilhelm.[5] On Thursday, January 20, 1881, at a meeting of the new board of directors, the old officers tendered their resignations and same were accepted, that of the president to take effect Friday, and those of the cashier, Mr. L.H. Fletcher, and bookkeeper, Mr. C.T. Fletcher, to take effect on February 15th. The newly-elected officers were as follows: Mr. J.B. Crowell, president; Mr. J.H. Shook, cashier; Mr. Benjamin Snively, Jr., bookkeeper. Mr. Fletcher had been negotiating for some time with an eastern capitalist with a view to embarking in business that would necessitate his move next spring. Mr. C.F. Fletcher had made arrangements with J.B. Crowell & Co. for a position as bookkeeper in their vast establishment.[6]

In March 1885, the First National Bank of Greencastle was extended until March 4, 1905.[7] In September, Cashier John H. Shook was improving the old home mansion on Oak HIll. He erected a tower on the east front, covered the building with a mansard roof with an observatory, new windows and shutters, and painted walls. The inside was remodeled in the latest style. Messrs. Moore and Frick put in water pipe and fixtures.[8]

In January 1890, the newly-elected directors were George W. Ziegler, James K. Davidson, J.C. McLanahan, John Wilhelm, Jacob Pensinger, Isaac Shank, Abraham Grove, Robert J. Boyd, and George D. Carl.[9]

In January 1900, the following board was chosen: Robert J. Boyd, Jacob Pensinger, George D. Carl, T.J. Nill, James S. Craig, John H. Shook, John H. Hostetter.[10]

On March 4, 1915, the First National Bank of Greencastle celebrated its 50th Anniversary of its organization. The bank opened its doors for business in the Kreps building on North Carlisle Street. The room used was the one occupied by the old post office. The directors had a five-year lease on the room, but shortly before it expired the new bank building was completed and the institution moved to its handsome new quarters which it still occupied. The board of directors elected in January 1915 included Capt. R.J. Boyd, president; D.B. Keefer, vice president; J.W. Hawk, T.W. Brendle, Jacob Shank, John Hostetter, Ross Gordon, John Grove, and Joseph Myers.[11]

On Tuesday, January 9, 1923, stockholders elected the following directorate: Joseph C. Myers, Jacob Shank, John Grove, Ross S. Gordon, T.W. Brendle, I.G. Rider, H.S. Bitner, John H. Hawk, W.H. Witmer, C.P. Omwake, George Ommert.[12] On February 23, 1923, S.H. Eby died at his home on North Carlisle Street, Greencastle, after a brief illness with pleurisy. He was aged 87 years and was a life-long member of the Lutheran Church of that place. He was survived by three children, Grace, G., Carrie and S.H. Jr., all at home. Mr. Eby was elected county superintendent of schools in 1875, re-elected in 1878, serving until 1881. Previous to this he had served as' principal of the Green Castle public schools from 1865 to 1875. His taking up of school work in Greencastle followed a splendid record of bravery and service in the Civil War with the Signal Corps. He served in the departments of Susquehanna and the Potomac. Following his terms as county superintendent, Mr. Eby spent two seasons in teaching and in 1883 he entered the First National Bank of Greencastle and there remained as bookkeeper and teller until February 1901 when he entered to become cashier of the Citizen's Bank which was being organized.[13]

On Thursday, January 16, 1930, the directors reorganized by the election of the following officers: Joseph Myers, president; T.W. Brendle, who succeeded the late I.G. Rider, vice president; Walter M. Minnich, cashier; Ivan Finfrock, assistant cashier and teller; John Walker, assistant teller; Mrs. Fred Snively and Miss Dorothy Sellers, bookkeepers.[14]

By 2006, Tower Bancorp Inc.'s sole subsidiary, The First National Bank of Greencastle, the oldest locally owned bank in Franklin County, operated ten office locations throughout Franklin County and Washington County, Maryland. Offices were located in Greencastle, Chambersburg, Laurich Estates, Mercersburg, Quincy, Shady Grove, Waynesboro and Hagerstown, Maryland. In June 2006, The First National Bank of McConnellsburg was acquired, adding five more branch locations. Also, ground was broken in Rouzerville for a new branch of The First National Bank of Greencastle. The Rouzerville branch opened on December 1, 2006.[15][16]

  • 06/04/1864 Institution established. Original name: The First National Bank of Green Castle (FDIC #7511).
  • 02/23/1990 Main Office moved to Center Square, Greencastle, PA 17225.
  • 12/15/2003 Branch Purchased
  • 08/28/2006 Acquired The First National Bank of McConnellsburg (Charter 8083) (FDIC #7604) in McConnellsburg, PA.
  • 03/31/2009 Merged and became part of GRAYSTONE TOWER BANK (FDIC #58166) in Lancaster, PA.
  • 02/18/2012 Merged and became part of Susquehanna Bank (FDIC #7579) in Lititz, PA.
  • 08/01/2015 Merged and became part of Branch Banking and Trust Company (FDIC #9846) in Winston Salem, NC.
  • 12/07/2019 Changed Institution Name to Truist Bank.

Official Bank Titles

Two $20 proofs for Charter 1081.
Two $20 proofs for Charter 1081 both with approval dates in February 1885. The bottom proof has the Comptroller of the Currency corrected spelling of Greencastle while the top proof has the old spelling using two words, Green Castle. Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.

1: The First National Bank of Green Castle, PA

2: The First National Bank of Greencastle, PA [3/5/1885]

In 1885, the town name was changed from Green Castle to Greencastle. This was common when plates for a new series were ordered following an extension; however, the presence of two proofs indicates that The First National Bank almost got to keep its original title. This was an informal title change imposed by the Comptroller of the Currency. The change is subtle in the tombstone containing the town name, but is readily apparent by comparing the postal locations in script for the two proofs. The change for Green Castle, Indiana (Charter 219) to Greencastle, also occurred for Series of 1882 Brown Backs, but only one proof is known and it was dated February 20, 1883. The Central National Bank of Green Castle, Indiana (Charter 2896) kept is two-word version of the town's name when its Brown Back proof was approved in March 1883 and even its Series of 1929 notes have Green Castle, Indiana. The Citizens National Bank of Greencastle, Pennsylvania (Charter 5857) and coincidentally The Citizens National Bank of Greencastle, Indiana (Charter 10409) both arrived too late and only the modern version of their town names may be found on their notes.

Bank Note Types Issued

Original Series $5 bank note with serial number 1
Original Series $5 bank note, serial number 1, with pen signatures of L.H. Fletcher, Cashier and J.C. McLanahan, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
1902 Plain Back $10 bank note
1902 Plain Back $10 bank note with printed signatures of Charles S. Karper, Cashier and Joseph C. Myers, President. Courtesy of Lyn Knight Auctions, www.lynknight.com
1929 Type 1 $10 bank note
1929 Type 1 $10 bank note with printed signatures of Walter M. Minnich, Cashier and Joseph C. Myers, President. Courtesy of Lyn Knight Auctions, www.lynknight.com

A total of $1,956,960 in National Bank Notes was issued by this bank between 1865 and 2009. This consisted of a total of 165,431 notes (137,976 large size and 27,455 small size notes).

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

Series/Type Sheet/Denoms Serial#s Sheet Comments
1: Original Series 4x5 1 - 2200
1: Original Series 3x10-20 1 - 2120
1: Series 1875 4x5 1 - 1100
1: Series 1875 3x10-20 1 - 2428
2: 1882 Brown Back 3x10-20 1 - 2888
2: 1902 Red Seal 3x10-20 1 - 950
2: 1902 Date Back 3x10-20 1 - 5400
2: 1902 Plain Back 3x10-20 5401 - 22808
2: 1929 Type 1 6x10 1 - 3168
2: 1929 Type 1 6x20 1 - 798
2: 1929 Type 2 10 1 - 2776
2: 1929 Type 2 20 1 - 883

Bank Presidents and Cashiers

Bank Presidents and Cashiers during the National Bank Note Era (1865 - 2009):

Presidents:

Cashiers:

Other Bank Note Signers

Wiki Links

Sources

  • Greencastle, PA, 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
  1. ↑ The Franklin Repository, Chambersburg, PA, Wed., Mar. 8, 1865.
  2. ↑ Echo Pilot, Greencastle, PA, Thu., Jan. 5, 1871.
  3. ↑ Valley Spirit, Chambersburg, PA, Wed., Jan. 22, 1873.
  4. ↑ Waynesboro Record, Waynesboro, PA, Thu., Jan. 22, 1880.
  5. ↑ Waynesboro Record, Waynesboro, PA, Thu., Jan. 20, 1881.
  6. ↑ Daily Register, Chambersburg, PA, Fri., Jan. 21, 1881.
  7. ↑ The Keystone Gazette, Waynesboro, PA, Wed., Mar. 11, 1885.
  8. ↑ Franklin Repository (Daily), Chambersburg, PA, Thu., Sep. 3, 1885.
  9. ↑ The Valley Spirit (Daily), Chambersburg, PA, Fri., Jan. 17, 1890.
  10. ↑ Public Weekly Opinion, Chambersburg, PA, Fri., Jan. 12, 1900.
  11. ↑ Franklin Repository (Daily), Chambersburg, PA, Tue., Feb. 9, 1915.
  12. ↑ Franklin Repository (Daily), Chambersburg, PA, Thu, Jan. 11, 1923.
  13. ↑ People's Register, Chambersburg, PA, Thu., Mar. 1, 1923.
  14. ↑ Franklin Repository (Daily), Chambersburg, PA, Fri., Jan. 17, 1930.
  15. ↑ Public Opinion, Chambersburg, PA, Sat., Mar. 25, 2006.
  16. ↑ Public Opinion, Chambersburg, PA, Fri., Dec. 1, 2006.
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