Fourth National Bank, Columbus, GA (Charter 4691)

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1930 advertisement for the Fourth National Bank of Columbus, Georgia.[1]

Fourth National Bank, Columbus, GA (Chartered 1892 - Closed (Merger) 2000)

Town History

Columbus is a consolidated city-county located on the west-central border of the U.S. state of Georgia. Columbus lies on the Chattahoochee River directly across from Phenix City, Alabama. It is the county seat of Muscogee County, with which it officially merged in 1970; the original merger excluded Bibb City, which joined in 2000 after dissolving its own city charter.

Columbus is the second most populous city in Georgia (after Atlanta), and fields the state's fourth-largest metropolitan area. At the 2020 U.S. census, Columbus had a population of 206,922, with 328,883 in the Columbus metropolitan statistical area. The metro area joins the nearby Alabama cities of Auburn and Opelika to form the Columbus–Auburn–Opelika combined statistical area, which had a population of 563,967 in 2020.

Columbus lies 100 miles southwest of Atlanta. Fort Moore, the United States Army's Maneuver Center of Excellence and a major employer, is located south of the city in southern Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties. Columbus is home to museums and tourism sites, including the National Infantry Museum, dedicated to the U.S. Army's Infantry Branch.

Founded in 1828 by an act of the Georgia Legislature, Columbus was situated at the beginning of the navigable portion of the Chattahoochee River and on the last stretch of the Federal Road before entering Alabama. The city was named for Christopher Columbus. The plan for the city was drawn up by Dr. Edwin L. DeGraffenried, who placed the town on a bluff overlooking the river. Edward Lloyd Thomas (surveyor) was selected to lay out the town on 1,200 acres. Across the river to the west, where Phenix City, Alabama, is now located, lived several tribes of the Creek and other Georgia and Alabama indigenous peoples.

Columbus had four National Banks chartered during the Bank Note Era, the Chattahoochee National Bank (Charter 1630), the National Bank/First National Bank (Charter 2338), the Third National Bank (Charter 3937), and the Fourth National Bank (Charter 4691), and all four of those banks issued National Bank Notes.

Bank History

  • Organized December 5, 1891
  • Chartered January 28, 1892
  • Bank was Open past 1935
  • For Bank History after 1935 see FDIC Bank History website
  • Merged into SunTrust Bank in Atlanta, GA, January 1, 2000

On January 28, 1892, the Fourth National Bank of Columbus, in the City of Columbus, in the County of Muscogee and the State of Georgia, was issued a charter.[2] On February 9th, the bank, located on the corner of Broad and Tenth Streets, began business with capital $150,000.[3][4] At a recent meeting the following officers were elected: T.E. Blanchard, president; E.P. Owsley, cashier. Directors were W.L. Tillman, R.M. Norman, Charlton Battle, G.J. Peacock, J.K. Hinde, A.M. Elledge, F.J. Jenkins, M.W. Kelly and A.B. Daniel.[5] Work on the interior of the bank progressed. The woodwork was old oak that harmonized beautifully with the light, but exceedingly string brass work, forming the enclosures for the clerks to attend to their duties. The floor of the room was of tessellated Georgia marble and the washboards had been replaced with Tennessee marble. The entire center of the room was taken up with a fire- and burglar-proof vault inside of which was a Hall's safe with time lock. The cashier's office was left of the entrance door and the president's office was in the rear beyond which was the directors' room. The whole area was heated with five handsome fireplaces in which an improved system of gas would be used.[6]

On Tuesday, January 8, 1901, at the annual meeting the old directors were re-elected as follows: Louis Hamburger, A.M. Elledge, M.W. Kelly, W.L. Tillman, R.M. Norman, G.J. Peacock, F.J. Jenkins, George O. Berry, C.E. Battle, T.E. Blanchard, and E.P. Owsley.[7]

In Tuesday, January 12, 1915, stockholders elected directors for the ensuing year. Two new directors were named taking the places of John A. Mitchell and F.J. Jenkins, retired. The directors were T.E. Blanchard, J.B. Huff, W.M. Kelly, S.P. Gilbert, E.W. Swift, Sol Loeb, E.P. Owsley, John T. Norman, C.E. Battle, George O. Berry and A.F. Copeland.[8] The directors subsequently met and the old officers were re-elected with the addition of Stewart Fleming who was elected an assistant cashier. The officers were T.E. Blanchard, president; E.P. Owsley, vice president; J.B. Huff, cashier; H.E. Weathers, and Stewart Fleming, assistant cashiers.[9]

On Wednesday, January 9, 1918, a few changes were made in the officers of the Fourth National Bank at a meeting of the directors held at the bank. Captain T.E. Blanchard was re-elected president. H.E. Weathers, who was elected to the board Tuesday to succeed Judge S.P. Gilbert, whose resignation was tendered some time ago owing to the fact that he resides in Atlanta and could not remain in close touch with his duties, was elected to the position of cashier to succeed J.B. Huff, who in turn was elected to succeed E.P. Owsley as vice president. Mr. Owsley resigned his connection in an official capacity, but remained a member of the board of directors. He would make his office in the bank. T.S. Fleming was re-elected to the position of assistant cashier. The board consisted of the following members: T.E. Blanchard, J.B. Huff, M.W. Kelly. E.P. Owsley. John T. Norman. Morris Loeb. C.A. Hatcher, C.E. Battle, A.F. Copeland, E.W. Swift and H.E. Weathers.[10]

On Thursday, January 15, 1920, directors met and elected the following officers: T.E. Blanchard, president; H.L. Weathers, vice president; T.S. Fleming, cashier; R.F. Carter, Jr., assistant cashier; and C.E. Battle, attorney. Mr. E.P. Owsley, former vice president, tendered his resignation to the board which was accepted with regret. Mr. Owsley would continue to make his offices at the bank and would act as chairman of the finance committee. Following are the committees appointed by the board: Finance--E.P. Owsley, chairman; O.E. Battle and M.W. Kelly; Examining--Morris Loeb, George P. Swift, and A. Illges.[11] The Fourth National closed the most successful year in its history and had moved into their new quarters on the West side corner of Broad and 12th Streets. The bank declared their usual semi-annual dividend of 4% and carried forward to undivided profits a greater sum than ever before.[12] In December 1920, the Fourth National announced the establishment of a savings department in order to handle any service its patrons desired. The officials of the Fourth would give their personal attention to the new department. The bank known as Blanchard & Booth was established in 1875 by T.E. Blanchard and E.B. Owsley and their associates. The history of this bank included being engaged in the cotton business on an extensive scale.[13]

In September 1921, the directors were T.E. Blanchard, C.E. Battle, A.F. Copeland of Hamilton, Georgia; T.S. Fleming, A. Illges, B.C. Jenkins, M.W. Kelly, Morris Loeb, Lawrence Murray, E.P. Owsley, Geo. P. Swift, H.C. Smith, H.E. Weathers, and J.W. Woodruff. The officers were T.E. Blanchard, president; T.S. Fleming, vice president; and W.R. Luttrell, cashier. The bank had total resources of $1,848,584.33 and was located in the Garrard Building[14] and at Broad and 12th Streets. The capital was $300,000, surplus $100,000 and profits $75,000.[15]

In January 1923, the officers elected were T.E. Blanchard, president; T.S. Fleming, vice president; W.R. Luttrell, cashier; J.T. Anthony, H.G. Higgins, and W.M. Howard, Jr., assistant cashiers. Thomas H. Shanks was elected attorney to the the place of C.E. Battle who died several months earlier.[16]

On Tuesday, January 13, stockholders elected the following directors: T.E. Blanchard, A.F. Copeland, T.S. Fleming, B.C. Jenkins, T.J. Kelly, Morris Loeb, W.R. Luttrell, Lawrence Murray, E.P. Owsley, Thos. H. Shanks, Geo. P. Swift, H.C. Smith, H.E. Weathers, and J.W. Woodruff. At a subsequent meeting, the directors re-elected officers as follows: T.E. Blanchard, chairman of the board; T.S. Fleming, president; W.R. Luttrell, vice president and cashier; H.G. Higgins and W.M. Howard, assistant cashiers.[17]

On Tuesday, January 12, 1926, stockholders elected the following directors: T.E. Blanchard, A.F. Copeland, T.S. Fleming, T. Jeff Kelly, W.R. Luttrell, Lawrence Murray, E.P. Owsley, Thomas H. Shanks, George P. Swift, H.C. Smith, H.E. Weathers, and J.W. Woodruff. No changes to the slate of officers was envisioned by the directors.[18]

SunTrust Bank on the corner of 1st Avenue and 13th Street, Columbus, Georgia. This is the former main office of the Fourth National Bank, later renamed the National Bank and Trust Company. Construction began in August 1954[19], with the fourth and fifth floors added in 1969.[20] Courtesy of Google Maps ca2014

In January 1969, the Fourth National's main office was located at 13th Street and 1st Avenue with 4 branches, the Cross Country Plaza Office on Macon Road; 13th St. Office, 13th Street at 13th Avenue; Northside office, Expressway at 45th Street; and Southside Office, Traffic Circle Shopping Center.[21] The bank announced the promotion of four employees according to Charles S. Daley, president. The bank's directors approved the promotions as follows: Robert W. Garner, vice president; Roger A. Carr, assistant vice president; William M. Pickard, trust officer and Richard J. Lee, assistant trust officer.[22] Earlier, Howell Hollis, chairman of the board announced a stock split subject to the approval of the stockholders at the annual meeting scheduled for March 19th. Net operating earning for 1968 reached a new high of $515,000, or earnings of $10.30 per share as compared to $10.05 per share in 1967. Construction of the fourth and fifth floor addition to the main office was proceeding on schedule.[23]

On Monday, July 1, 1974, phones at the former Fourth National Bank were answered National Bank and Trust Company. "The Fourth National Bank is still here, but the name is gone," according to Charles S. Daley, president of the bank. The application to change the name was recently approved by the comptroller of the currency.[24]

  • 07/01/1974 Changed Institution Name to The National Bank and Trust Company of Columbus, Ga.
  • 04/01/1985 Changed Institution Name to Trust Company Bank of Columbus, National Association.
  • 08/01/1990 Acquired Trust Company of Troup County (FDIC #19576) in La Grange, GA.
  • 10/06/1995 Changed Institution Name to SunTrust Bank, West Georgia, National Association.
  • 01/01/2000 Merged and became part of SunTrust Bank (FDIC #867) in Atlanta, GA.
  • 12/07/2019 Merged and became part of Branch Banking and Trust Company (FDIC #9846) in Winston Salem, NC.

Official Bank Title

1: The Fourth National Bank of Columbus, GA

Bank Note Types Issued

1882 Brown Back $10 bank note with pen signatures of E.P. Owsley, Cashier and T.E. Blanchard, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
1902 Plain Back $10 bank note with stamped signatures of W.R. Littrell, Cashier and T.E. Blanchard, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
1929 Type 2 $20 bank note with printed signatures of W.M. Howard, Cashier and T.S. Fleming, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com

A total of $3,727,950 in National Bank Notes was issued by this bank between 1892 and 1935. This consisted of a total of 289,898 notes (260,798 large size and 29,100 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 3x10-20 1 - 6800
1882 Brown Back 50-100 1 - 1327
1882 Date Back 3x10-20 1 - 3551
1902 Date Back 3x10-20 1 - 19000
1902 Plain Back 3x10-20 19001 - 54185
1929 Type 2 5 1 - 10912
1929 Type 2 10 1 - 11622
1929 Type 2 20 1 - 6566

Bank Presidents and Cashiers

Bank Presidents and Cashiers during the National Bank Note Era (1892 - 1935):

Presidents:

Cashiers:

Other Known Bank Note Signers

  • No other known bank note signers for this bank

Bank Note History Links

Sources

  • Columbus, GA, 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. ↑ Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Sun., Feb. 16, 1930.
  2. ↑ Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Tue., Feb. 23, 1892.
  3. ↑ The Savannah Morning News, Savannah, GA, Tue., Feb. 9, 1892.
  4. ↑ Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Thu., Mar. 3, 1892.
  5. ↑ Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Sun., Feb. 7, 1892.
  6. ↑ Enquirer-Sun, Columbus, GA, Tue., Feb. 9, 1892.
  7. ↑ Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Wed., Jan. 9, 1901.
  8. ↑ The Columbus Ledger, Columbus, GA, Tue., Jan. 12, 1915.
  9. ↑ The Columbus Ledger, Columbus, GA, Fri., Jan. 15, 1915.
  10. ↑ The Columbus Ledger, Columbus, GA, Thu., Jan. 10, 1918.
  11. ↑ Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Fri., Jan. 16, 1920.
  12. ↑ The Columbus Ledger, Columbus, GA, Tue., Jan. 6, 1920.
  13. ↑ Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Thu., Dec. 23, 1920.
  14. ↑ Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Sun., Sep. 11, 1921.
  15. ↑ Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Sun., Feb. 6, 1921.
  16. ↑ Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Thu., Jan. 11, 1923.
  17. ↑ The Columbus Ledger, Columbus, GA, Tue., Jan. 13, 1925.
  18. ↑ The Columbus Ledger, Columbus, GA, Tue., Jan. 12, 1926.
  19. ↑ The Columbus Ledger, Columbus, GA, Wed., Aug. 4, 1954.
  20. ↑ Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Thu., Jan. 16, 1969.
  21. ↑ Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Mon., Mar. 31, 1969.
  22. ↑ Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Sat., Jan. 18, 1969.
  23. ↑ Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Thu., Jan. 16, 1969.
  24. ↑ The Columbus Ledger, Columbus, GA, Sun., June 30, 1974.
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