George H. Small (Harrisburg, PA)

Needed: A photo of George H. Small

George H. Small (July 29, 1808 – Nov. 4, 1887)

Biography

• Name: George H. Small
• Birth: July 29, 1808, York County, Pennsylvania
• Death: November 4, 1887, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
• Resigned as cashier, First National Bank of Harrisburg around 17 Sep. 1885 due to health;
• Stockholder of the Harrisburg Car Company in 1863;
• Treasurer, Home for the Friendless;

At 3 o'clock in the morning of November 4, 1887, George H. Small, the veteran financier, died at his residence, No. 225 Chestnut Street, Harrisburg, of the infirmities of old age. Mr. Small was in his 80th year.

George H. Small was born in York, Pennsylvania, July 20th, 1808, and was educated in that town. When a young man, he was employed as clerk in one of the York County offices and subsequently kept a drug store. On receiving an appointment as clerk in the Land Department, Mr. Small came to Harrisburg, remaining in the employ of the State for one year, and quitting the Land Department to accept a position as clerk in the Harrisburg Bank, of which institution he was subsequently made teller. In 1858, when the private bank of Cameron, Calder, Eby & Co. was organized, Mr. Small was appointed cashier, retaining this position after the bank was organized in 1864 as the First National Bank of Harrisburg. This position he faithfully filled, performing the duties with care and rare business judgment, until a few years ago, when owing to his advanced age he resigned. Mr. Small afterwards lived in retirement. His disease, which was a gradual paralysis, began at the lower extremities and slowly worked up, preventing him from walking or taking any exercise. While not unexpected, his death was a great shock to his relatives and friends. When Mr. Small first came to Harrisburg he connected himself with the Salem Reformed Church, and all his life was a consistent member, filling every official position in its government except that of minister.

Deceased was married in York by Rev. John Cares to Miss Eliza Willis, on December 11th, 1832, who died in Harrisburg in 1865. Four children survive this union, Charles H., Mrs. Ella Forbes, George and Miss Mary F. Small. In July 1866, Mr. Small married Miss Catharine Kunkel, who, with another son, John K. Small, survived him.

Bank Officer Summary

During his banking career, George H. Small was involved with the following bank(s):

• The Harrisburg Bank: Teller 1858
• Banking house of Cameron, Calder, Eby & Co., also known as the State Capital Bank: Cashier 1858-1863
• First National Bank, Harrisburg, PA (Charter 201): Cashier 1864-1884

Series of 1875 $10 bank note with pen signatures of George H. Small, Cashier and William Calder, President. Blue-stained paper was used as an anti-counterfeiting measure. Courtesy of Lyn Knight Auctions, www.lynknight.com

Sources

• Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935), https://spmc.org/bank-note-history-project
• Harrisburg Daily Independent, Harrisburg, PA, Fri., Nov. 4, 1887.
• Harrisburg Telegraph, Harrisburg, PA, Fri., Nov. 4, 1887.