Gettysburg National Bank, Gettysburg, PA (Charter 611)

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Postcard of the Gettysburg National Bank ca1910s. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com

Gettysburg National Bank, Gettysburg, PA (Chartered 1864 - Closed (Merger) 1992)

Town History

Gettysburg's Grand Ballroom at 10 York Street, location of the Bank of Gettysburg established in 1814. Courtesy of Google Maps

Gettysburg is a borough in Pennsylvania and the county seat of Adams County, Pennsylvania. Gettysburg was the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War, fought from July 1 to July 3 of 1863. Later that year, on November 19, President Abraham Lincoln traveled to dedicate Gettysburg National Cemetery, where he delivered the Gettysburg Address, a carefully crafted 271-word address considered one of the most famous speeches in history. Gettysburg is home to the Gettysburg National Military Park.

In 1760, Irishman Samuel Gettys settled at the Shippensburg-Baltimore and Philadelphia-Pittsburgh crossroads, in what was then western York County, and established a tavern frequented by soldiers and traders. In 1786, his son James Gettys purchased 116 acres of his land, divided it up into 220 lots and sold them, and is thus considered the founder of Gettysburgh. The borough boundary was established, with the Dobbin House tavern (established in 1776) sitting in the southwest.

As early as 1790, a movement seeking to split off the western portion of York County into a separate county had begun. A commission was drawn up to fix the site of the new county's seat; they ultimately chose a location in Strabane Township (now Straban Township), just northeast of Gettysburg. In 1791, additional trustees were appointed to plan to construct public buildings in Gettysburg instead of in Straban. On January 22, 1800, the Pennsylvania Legislature created Adams County, with Gettysburg as its county seat.

As of the 2020 census, the borough had a population of 7,106 people. In 1860 the population was 2,390, growing to 5,584 by 1930.

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

Bank History

The Bank of Gettysburg Obsolete $5, Haxby PA-155, with signatures of J.B. McPherson, Cashier and J. McConaughy, President, dated Nov 1, 1821. A covered wagon drawn by four horses is at top center. The engraving was done by Murray, Draper, Fairman & Co. The left fancy end shows the title, "Gettysburg Bank" in an oval medallion. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
The Bank of Gettysburg Obsolete $1, Haxby PA-155, with two vignettes of farm girls pausing during the harvest. The vignette at center right has the girl stepping barefoot into a stream; this vignette was also used on a $1 for the Farmers Bank of Lancaster, Haxby PA-205. The vignette at left has a girl resting on straw with her head on clasped hands. There are two green "1" protectors flanking the bank's name, and a green and white ONE protector panel. The note is signed by T.D. Carson, Cashier and G. Swope and is dated Feb. 22nd, 1862. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
  • Organized November 24, 1864
  • Chartered December 8, 1864
  • Succeeded Bank of Gettysburg
  • Bank was Open past 1935
  • For Bank History after 1935 see FDIC Bank History website
  • Merged into CCNB Bank, N.A. in Camp Hill, PA, October 23, 1992

Bank of Gettysburg founded May 1814

The committee on banks reported a bill to enable the several banks in this State to issue notes under five dollars, but not below one dollar. The same committee reported that the following banks had been incorporated under the act of last session, viz. Bank of Gettysburgh, Hamburgh, Northern Liberties, Carlisle, Chambersburg, Westmoreland Bank of Pennsylvania, Lancaster Trading Company, Marietta and Susquehanna Trading Company, Centre Bank of Pennsylvania, Farmer's Bank of Reading, Schuylkill Bank of Philadelphia, Commercial Bank of Pennsylvania, Alleghany Bank of Pennsylvania, Mechanic's Bank of Philadelphia, Bank of Germantown, York Bank, The Farmer's Bank of Lancaster, Bank of Swatara, Easton Bank, Pennsylvania Agricultural and Manufacturing Bank, Bank of Washington, Northumberland Bank, Juniata Bank, Delaware County, Chester County, Columbia Bank of Penn., Beaver Bank, Bank of Pittsburgh, Huntingdon Bank, Monongahela Bank of Brownsville, Northwestern Bank of Pennsylvania, Union Bank of Pennsylvania, Northumberland, Union and Columbian Bank, and Farmer's Bank of Bucks County.[1] It should be noted that Governor Simon Snyder did not sign the act, but the legislature passed the act despite the Governor's objections, with the required two thirds majority. Under this act, Adams County was a district, one of 27 in the Commonwealth, and could establish one bank called the Bank of Gettysburg. The following persons were appointed commissioners: Alexander Cobean, James Gettys, Walter Smith, Ralph Lashells, Jacob Eyster, Bernhart Gilbert, William Maxwell, Esq., Michael Newman, Robert Hayes, Esq., Dr. James H. Miller, and George Schmyser.[2]

In December 1820, John McConaughy, Esq., was chosen president of the Bank of Gettysburg in place of Alexander Cobean, Esq., declined.[3] From the Auditor General's Report of November 6, 1820, the capital was $133,133, dividends unpaid $502.73, circulation $40,525, due to other banks & individual depositors $97,139.39, for total liabilities of $271,300.12.[4]

In December 1821, the directors were John McConaughy, Jas. McSherry, Andrew Will, George Smyser, John Kerr, Amos Maginly, Patrick Reid, James Robinette, Samuel Lilly, George Hines, Samuel Sloan, George Kerr, and Wm. McPherson.[5]

On Monday, November 15, 1830, at an election for directors, the following persons were chosen: Robert Smith, Isaac Baugher, George Himes, John Kerr, Ephraim Davis, George Smyser, Wm. McClellan, Jr., David Newman, Henry Wirt, Lewis Motter, Thaddeus Stevens, Samuel Fahnestock, and Martin Lohr. Martin Lohr was a new director.[6]

Gettysburg National Bank

A 1927 advertisement for the Gettysburg National Bank on its 113th Anniversary.[7]

On Tuesday, January 10, 1865, The Gettysburg National Bank held its first election for directors under the new system. The following were elected directors: George Swope, William McSherry, James J. Wills, William Young, Henry Wirt, David Kendlehart, Marcus Samson, William D. Himes, and Lewis M. Motter.[8]

On Tuesday, January 20, 1880, the directors elected were Dr. John B. Swope, president; David Wills, D. Kendlehart, Henry Wirt, Jacob Reeser, Lewis M. Motter, William McSherry, William D. Himes, and Edgar Slagle.The News-Chronicle, Shippensburg, PA, Sat., Jan. 24, 1880.

In January 1896, the directors elected the following officers: John A. Swope, president; Jno. B. McPherson, vice president; and William McSherry, Jr., counsel.[9]

On Tuesday, January 9, 1900, the following were elected directors for the ensuing year: Dr. John A. Swope, Jacob Resser, L.M. Motter, Thomas G. Neely, Esq., R.M. Wirt, H.P. Bigham, Wm. McSherry, Esq., John B. McPherson, Esq., and J. Emory Bair.[10]

In November 1901, Irvin L. Taylor, principal of school No. 1 of Arendtsville, resigned that position to take effect in December. He was elected teller in the Gettysburg National Bank.[11]

In January 1914, the stockholders elected the following board of directors: Thos. G. Neely of York springs; Josiah W. Prickett of Flora Dale; Hon. D.P. McPherson, Wm. A. McSherry, Dr. Walter H. O'Neal, and C. Wm. Beales of Gettysburg; C.W. Johnson of McKnightstown; Chas. L. Longsdorf of Biglerville; and N.C. Trout of Fairfield.[12] 

In March 1920, the Lincoln Trust Company leased the Center Square corner store room of Amos Eckert for a period of ten years with a privilege of five more. M.K. Eckert said that the acquisition would mean the end of their men's furnishing department, but that the shoe business would continue in the other two adjoining store rooms as in the past.[13] Stockholders met in the court house and organized by electing 18 directors from a list of 25. The directors were J.L. Williams, Charles J. Toot, Charles B. Dougherty, Gettysburg; Emory Gulding, Bonneauville, Robert Wickersham, Bendersville; P.C. Smith, east berlin; Samue G. Spangler, G.W. Stallsmith, Gettysburg; H.G. Deatrick, Hunterstown; John C. Bream, near Fairfield Road; L.U. Collins, two Taverns; C.A. Wills, Greenstone; William P. Weikert, McKnightstown; Robert C. Miller, B.F. Lightner, Gettysburg; Charles J. Deardorff, Orrtanna; Dr. Chester G. Crist, Gettysburg; and S.S. Shriver, Barlow.[14] The directors elected Charles J. Toot, president; Charles B. Dougherty, vice president; H.C. Deatrick, secretary; Charles W. Gardner, trust officer; and J.L. Williams, Esq., attorney. The trust company planned to open for business on July 1st.[15]

On December 31, 1926, at the close of business, the Lincoln Trust Company, the town's youngest banking institution, passed out of existence and became a part of the Gettysburg National Bank under the merger effected several weeks earlier. The transfer of the money and valuable holdings of the trust company amounting to more than $500,000 to the vault of the national bank was effected under armed guard after the bank closed for business.[16]

In January 1927, the board of the Gettysburg National Bank was increased from 12 to 18 members due to the recent absorption of the Lincoln Trust Co. Six former trust company directors were named to the board. They were Dr. C.G. Crist, C.J. Toor, C.B. Dougherty, P.A. Miller, L.A. Golden, and C.A. Wills. All other directors were re-elected as follows: C.L. Longsdorf, Dorsey Dougherty, C. William Beales, C.W. Johnson, E.P. Miller, C.H. Huber, G.R. Thompson, W.S. Houck, C.H. Smith, H.B. Bender, I.L. Taylor, and H.W. Deardorf.[17]

In January 1928, the contract for the remodeling of the Gettysburg National Bank, York Street, was awarded to Simons, Brittain and English of Pittsburgh at a cost of approximately $100,000. The Pittsburgh firm was also the architect for the improvements. Included in the improvements were the installation of a new vault, the addition of a 40-foot structure at the rear of the building, raising the roof of the building between five and six feet and re-arrangement of the banking offices. Officials of the bank asked their contractor to subcontract as much of the work as possible to Gettysburg firms. The bank had grown rapidly since the Lincoln Trust Company was merged with it a year ago. L.L. Taylor was president; C.W. Stock, cashier; C.W. Ogden and I.W. Appler, assistant cashiers; W.B. Neely, note teller; J.W. Hewitt, teller in charge of the Gettysburg College office; and E.M. Bender, trust officer.[18]

On Tuesday, January 9, 1934, stockholders re-elected directors as follows: C.W. Johnson, D.P. Miller, C.H. Huber, G.R. Thompson, W.S. Houck, Charles H. Smith, Dorsey Daugherty, H.B. Bender, I.T. Taylor, H.W. Deardorff, C.J. Toot, C.B. Dougherty, Dr. C.G. Crist, C.A. Wills, E.L. Golden, and J.W. Kendlehart.[19]

In January 1941, the officers were C.A. Wills, president; C.J. Toot and Dr. Charles H. Huber, vice presidents; L.C. Bucher, cashier; Charles W. Ogden and W.A. Keeney, assistant cashiers; John W. Hewitt, trust officer; and George T. Raffensperger, assistant trust officer. The directors were C.W. Johnson, Dr. Huber, G.R. Thompson, W.S. Houck, Charles H. Smith, Dorsey Dougherty, H.W. Deardorff, Mr. Toot, C.B. Dougherty, Dr. C.G. Crist, Mr. Wills, E.L. Golden, C.A. Bixler, and Dr. Walter S. Mountain.[20]

On Tuesday, January 9, 1951, stockholders met and re-elected directors at the annual meeting. The directors include C.W. Johnson, Dr. Charles H. Huber, G.R. Thompson, H.W. Deardorff, C.J. Toot, Dr. C.G. Crist, C.A. Wills, E.L. Golden, Dr. W.S. Mountain, Ralph Z. Oyler, J.E. Codori, John A. Houser, John S. Rice, and C.A. Cluck. Officers named by the directors were C.A. Wills, president; C.J. Toot and C.H. Huber, vice presidents; W.A. Keeney, executive vice president; C.W. Johnson, secretary; John W. Hewitt, cashier; Charles W. Ogden and C.E. Prosser, assistant cashiers; and G.T. Raffensperger, trust officer.[21]

On Tuesday, January 8, 1963, stockholders re-elected the following directors: C.A. Cluck, J.E. Codori, Dr. C.G. Christ, John A. Hauser, Arthur E. Hutchinson, Ryland B. Garretson, C.W. Johnson, John J. Reiner, F. Stanley Hoffman, Walter A. Keeney and C.A. Wills. The officers elected were C.A. Wills, president and chairman of the board; Mr. Keeney, executive vice president; Charles W. Ogden, vice president and comptroller; J. Bruce Maclay, vice president and cashier; Carl E. Proser, vice president; Harold L. Ecker, assistant cashier and manager of the West St. branch; Mrs. Gladys R. Kelley, J. Fred Schultz and L. Glenn Shriner, assistant cashiers; Elizabeth Evans, assistant secretary; George T. Raffensperger, trust officer; H. W. Mayer and Richard E. Schultz, assistant trust officers.[22] On June 1, 1963, announcement was made of the planned merger of the Gettysburg National Bank and Biglerville National Bank. Under the proposed plan, J.P. Hollabaugh, president of the Biglerville National would become a vice president of the Gettysburg National and chairman of the Biglerville Regional Board. Arnold E. Orner, executive vice president and cashier of the Biglerville National would also become a vice president and would be in charge of the Biglerville office. The combined institution would have a capital stock of $937,500, surplus of $1,650,000 and undivided profits and reserves in excess of $300,000. Total deposits of the two banks at the last call date were $26,378,989.99.[23] On August 13, 1963, at a special meeting, stockholders of the Gettysburg National approved the proposed merger.[24] On August 20th, the merger was approved by Comptroller of the Currency James J. Saxon. The surviving bank would carry the name of the Gettysburg facility.[25]

On Tuesday, March 9, 1965, Clarence A. Wills, a leading Adams County banker and pioneer industrialist retired from the presidency of the Gettysburg National Bank, a position he held for more than 30 years. He would continue to serve on the board of directors. Mr. Wills was a directors of the old Lincoln Trust Company which was absorbed by the Gettysburg National in 1926. He was elected president and chairman of the board and served continuously in that capacity since that time. Under his leadership the bank's assets of $3,672,178 in 1934 have grown to $33,936,274 at the end of 1964. At his direction the trust department was greatly expanded, particularly the corporate trust division until by 1965 the bank managed personal trusts in excess of $9 million and corporate trusts in excess of $28 million. The West Street branch was opened in 1961 and in 1963, the Gettysburg National Merged with the Biglerville National Bank to provide increased banking facilities in the Upper Adams area. Mr. Wills, prior to World War I, formed the Virgin Copper Co., in Hamiltonian Twp. which developed into one of the most successful copper mining operations in the county. A few years later he originated the Advance Industrial Supply Co. to manufacture roofing granules. Both firms were dissolved with the formation of the Blue Ridge Pipe and Nipple Co. in 1928 with a plant at Greenstone. The company manufactured plumbing fittings with a warehouse in Talladega, Alabama.[26]

A 1992 advertisement for the Gettysburg National Bank, a subsidiary of CCNB with offices in Gettysburg, Littlestown, Biglerville, Carroll Valley, McSherrystown, Bonneauville, Hanover and Cross Keys.[27]

In March 1987, the board of directors of Community National Bank of Southern Pennsylvania based in Littlestown, approved the merger into Gettysburg National Bank, a CCNB subsidiary.[28] CCNB Corp., parent company of CCNB Bank and Gettysburg National Bank acquired Community Financial Corp. of Littlestown, a one-bank holding company whose subsidiary was Community National Bank of Southern Pennsylvania. Community National's six offices would operate under the Gettysburg National Bank name. Five of the offices were in Adams County with one in York County. Paul E. Renner, president of Gettysburg National, would become chairman and chief executive officer and Albert J. Bair, president of Community Financial, would become president and chief operating officer of Gettysburg National. Bair also would become a member of the CCNB Corp. board of directors. CCNB had total assets of $649.5 million and of that amount, Gettysburg National's assets were $185.2 million. Community Financial Corp.'s total assets were $60.8 million.[29]

According to the FDIC, Gettysburg National Bank merged into CCNB Bank, N.A. in Camp Hill, on October 23, 1992. In 1946, the New Cumberland Bank changed its name to Cumberland County National Bank and Trust Co. (CCNB) and in 1977 the name was shortened to CCNB Bank, National Association (N.A.).[30]

Gettysburg's historic "Tavern on the Diamond" in the center of Gettysburg dates to 1797 when James Scott first opened for business. Henry M. Scharf became the proprietor in 1922 and ran the hotel for 42 years. The hotel closed in 1964, but was reopened on May 15, 1991. On June 14, 2001, the hotel added McClellan's Tavern named after a local war hero. Also added was an addition that incorporated the original 1814 Gettysburg National Bank building, converting it into the Grande Ballroom, able to host up to 350 guests and showcasing an elegant 30-foot ceiling inlaid with gold, green and burgundy colors with a Grecian boarder. In May 2002, 13 beautifully furnished suites were added above the Grand Ballroom.[31]

Official Bank Title

1: The Gettysburg National Bank, Gettysburg, PA

Bank Note Types Issued

1882 Brown Back $10 bank note with pen signatures of J. Emory Bair, Cashier and John B. McPherson, Vice President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
1902 Red Seal $5 bank note with pen signatures of E.M. Bender, Cashier and William McSherry, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
1929 Type 1 $20 bank note with printed signatures of C.W. Stock, Cashier and I.L. Taylor, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com

A total of $4,478,390 in National Bank Notes was issued by this bank between 1864 and 1935. This consisted of a total of 542,910 notes (423,702 large size and 119,208 small size notes).

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

Series/Type Sheet/Denoms Serial#s Sheet Comments
Original Series 4x5 1 - 4500
Original Series 3x10-20 1 - 2600
Original Series 50-100 1 - 250
Series 1875 4x5 1 - 3070
Series 1875 3x10-20 1 - 1888
Series 1875 50-100 1 - 131
1882 Brown Back 4x5 1 - 7757
1882 Brown Back 3x10-20 1 - 8606
1882 Brown Back 50-100 1 - 530
1902 Red Seal 4x5 1 - 4750
1902 Red Seal 3x10-20 1 - 3500
1902 Date Back 4x5 1 - 10750
1902 Date Back 3x10-20 1 - 8200
1902 Plain Back 4x5 10751 - 41872
1902 Plain Back 3x10-20 8201 - 26927
1929 Type 1 6x5 1 - 10242
1929 Type 1 6x10 1 - 5542
1929 Type 1 6x20 1 - 1388
1929 Type 2 5 1 - 10330
1929 Type 2 10 1 - 4820
1929 Type 2 20 1 - 1026

Bank Presidents and Cashiers

Bank Presidents and Cashiers during the National Bank Note Era (1864 - 1935):

Presidents:

Cashiers:

Other Known Bank Note Signers

Bank Note History Links

Sources

  • Gettysburg, 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. ↑ Carlisle Weekly Herald, Carlisle, PA, Fri., Dec. 30, 1814.
  2. ↑ Lancaster Intelligencer, Lancaster, PA, Sat., Mar. 26, 1814.
  3. ↑ Lancaster Intelligencer, Lancaster, PA, Sat., Dec. 2, 1820.
  4. ↑ Gettysburg Compiler, Gettysburg, PA, Wed., Jan. 24, 1821.
  5. ↑ Lancaster Intelligencer, Lancaster, PA, Sat., Dec. 8, 1821.
  6. ↑ The Adams Sentinel, Gettysburg, PA, Tue., Nov. 16, 1830.
  7. ↑ News Comet, East Berlin, PA, Fri., Dec. 9, 1927.
  8. ↑ The Adams Sentinel, Gettysburg, PA, Tue., Jan. 17, 1865.
  9. ↑ Adams County Independent, Littlestown, PA, Sat., Feb. 8, 1896.
  10. ↑ Gettysburg Compiler, Gettysburg, PA, Tue., Jan. 16, 1900.
  11. ↑ New Oxford Item, New Oxford, PA, Fri., Nov. 15, 1901.
  12. ↑ Gettysburg Compiler, Gettysburg, PA, Sat., Jan. 17, 1914.
  13. ↑ The Gettysburg Times, Gettysburg, PA, Mon., Mar. 15, 1920.
  14. ↑ The Gettysburg Times, Gettysburg, PA, Mon., Apr. 12, 1920.
  15. ↑ The Gettysburg Times, Gettysburg, PA, Fri., Apr. 16, 1920.
  16. ↑ Public Opinion, Chambersburg, PA, Sat., Jan. 1, 1927.
  17. ↑ The Gettysburg Times, Gettysburg, PA, Wed., Jan. 12, 1927.
  18. ↑ The Gettysburg Times, Gettysburg, PA, Wed., Jan. 4, 1928.
  19. ↑ The Evening Sun, Hanover, PA, Wed., Jan. 10, 1934.
  20. ↑ Gettysburg Compiler, Gettysburg, PA, Sat., Jan. 18, 1941.
  21. ↑ The Gettysburg Times, Gettysburg, PA, Wed., Jan. 10, 1951.
  22. ↑ The Gettysburg Times, Gettysburg, PA, Wed., Jan. 9, 1963.
  23. ↑ The Evening Sun, Hanover, PA, Sat., June 1, 1963.
  24. ↑ The Evening Sun, Hanover, PA, Thu., Aug. 15, 1963.
  25. ↑ The Evening Sun, Hanover, PA, Wed., Aug. 21, 1963.
  26. ↑ The Gettysburg Times, Gettysburg, PA, Thu., Mar. 11, 1965.
  27. ↑ The Gettysburg Times, Gettysburg, PA, Wed., Jan. 8, 1992.
  28. ↑ The Patriot-News, Harrisburg, PA, Sun., May 10, 1987.
  29. ↑ The Patriot-News, Harrisburg, PA, Wed., May 6, 1987.
  30. ↑ The Evening Sun, Hanover, PA, Sat., Feb. 10, 1979.
  31. ↑ The Evening Sun, Hanover, PA, Sun., May 21, 2006.
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