William Evans Crites (Spring Valley, OH)
William Evans Crites (August 27, 1874 – February 7, 1965) was the longest serving cashier of the Spring Valley National Bank during the National Era. He was also active in the town, serving on both the town council and school board as well as the county board of health.
Biography
Early life and family
Crites was identified as a student at Otterbein University in 1895 and probably graduated in 1897. [1]
On May 18, 1910 he married Elsie May Hartsock. [2]
Banking career
Crites was listed as assistant cashier for the Spring Valley National Bank in 1918. [3] He was promoted to cashier later in 1918 and served in this position until 1933.
Robert Crites check fraud scandal
In July, 1934, W. E. Crites's son Robert, then 21, was accused of cashing $4,000 in worthless checks at Spring Valley National Bank, where W. E. Crites was cashier. [4] The resolution of these events and whether they led to the resignation of W. E. Crites is not known.
At midnight on July 5, 1934, Robert Crites was shot under "mysterious circumstances" returning home from Dayton. [5] The younger Crites would later claim to have been a victim of robbery and reported $1,200 stolen from his person. Spring Valley Bank's attorney filed an affidavit in Federal court against Robert Crites for the worthless checks, which were drawn on Winters National Bank and Trust in Dayton, OH.
The bullet wound received by Robert Crites reportedly pierced his lung and came out his back, although the sheriff believed it was fired from the rear. The firearm used in the crime was a .32 calibre automatic pistol owned by Robert Crites. The sheriff found $156 in Robert Crites wallet still inside his coat which was located in the vehicle. The affidavit contained two counts, one for the check drawn on Winters National Bank for $1500 and one drawn on W. E. Crites' account for $2500 and was filed under instruction from a federal bank examiner in Cincinnati. [6]
As of July 9, 1934, Robert Crites was reportedly only questioned briefly before going into the hospital. He was expected to and apparently did make a full recovery. [7]
No further news items about these events have been found. Robert Crites recovered and moved to Johnston, PA. Eventually he worked for Sears and Roebuck in a traveling role. Robert Crites died in 1963.[8]
Other career highlights
In 1918, Crites was listed as Treasurer, Spring Valley Lodge No. 302, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. [9]
Also in 1918, Crites served on the Spring Valley town council. [10]
In 1924, Crites was identified as a member of the Spring Valley Board of Education. [11]
In 1936, W. E. Crites was listed as a member of the Greene County board of health. [12]
Later life and death
W. E. Crites died on February 7, 1965 at a nursing home in Maryville, TN. For the preceding year, he had lived with his daughter Janet in Alcoa, TN. [13]
Bank Officer Summary
During his banking career, William Evans Crites was involved with the following bank(s): [14]
- Spring Valley National Bank, Spring Valley, OH (Charter 7896): Cashier 1918 - 1933
References
- ↑ Otterbein Aegis March, 1895
- ↑ Family Search
- ↑ The Bankers Encyclopedia Volume 48
- ↑ Cincinnati Enquirer July 6, 1934
- ↑ Hamilton Daily News Journal July 5, 1934
- ↑ Dayton Daily News July 6, 1934
- ↑ Dayton Daily News July 9, 1934
- ↑ Lillian Crites Obituary
- ↑ History of Greene County, Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions
- ↑ History of Greene County, Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions
- ↑ Xenia Evening Gazette September 18, 1924
- ↑ Xenia Daily Gazette March 12, 1936
- ↑ Xenia Daily Gazette February 8, 1965
- ↑ Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935), https://bbdata.banknotehistory.com.