William Free Hill (Leechburg, PA)

Needed: a photo of William Free Hill

William Free Hill (March 4, 1867 – June 21, 1935)

Biography

• Name: William Free Hill
• Birth: March 4, 1867 Westford, Crawford Co., PA
• Death: June 21, 1935 Smithfield, PA (buried Espyville, PA)

Banking career

After the 1905 National Grange convention in Atlantic City, a plan was devised to create Grange National Banks in each county in Pennsylvania.

On Tuesday, September 18, 1906, The Farmers and Traders National Bank of Clearfield was organized by W.F. Hill of Chambersburg, master of the State Grange. The capital stock was $100,000 and surplus was $10,000. This bank added another link in the chain of Grange banks that the State Grange assisted in organizing. Two hundred enthusiastic stockholders attended consisting of farmers and businessmen from all parts of the county. W.F. Hill presided and Squire C.A. Woods was secretary. Grange bank organizer Charles T. Belles was present to direct the proceedings. The following directors were elected: J.G. McHenry, Benton; G.B. Passmore, Du Bois; E.C. Davis, Ramsey; W.F. Hill, Chambersburg; D. Bailey, Clearfield; C.E. Hoyt, Sabula; Jesse Williams, Utahville; Isaac Straw, Westover; Richard Gilbert, Isaac Stage, and G.N. Ellenberger, Clearfield. Guy B. Rickenbaugh was elected cashier of the newly organized Granger bank in Clearfield. He was previously connected with the First National Bank of Tyrone as a teller. Isaac Stage was elected president. While the State Grangers were greatly interested in this bank, the businessmen of Clearfield were invested in its success as the name of the bank implies.

On January 2, 1908, a new financial institution joined those already in Huntingdon--The Grange Trust company was now a full-fledged banking house. Since early in the morning, Huntingdon businessmen, farmers and others kept the new house in a state of hustle that lasted all day. A money panic in Huntingdon county was not thought of. Benkert’s orchestra from the opening to the closing hour furnished music to entertain the crowd. The federal examiner had completed his work and placed his stamp of approval on the enterprise. Grange Examiner, John T. Sholl of Carlisle, had made a complete examination of the assets and liabilities and announced himself perfectly satisfied with its condition. The opening was honored with the presence of President Isaac Stage and Cashier A.C. Hartshorn, of the Grange bank of Clearfield. All of the officers and directors were present and acted as a reception committee. State Grange Master W.F. Hill, of Chambersburg, president of the new company, was on hand to take care of patrons. He was ably assisted by Cashier C.T. Bell and Teller G.E. Corcelius. Druggist H.W. Read made the first deposit In the name of Mrs. Mary Jane Sleeman, of Satillo, and drew the first check of $100. The building was originally the Schum property. It was remodeled with Hummelstown brownstone. The interior was torn out and the entire first floor fitted for the banking business. It was trimmed with Lincrest wainscoting, marble tile floor and mission furniture. The safe was three-tons of manganese steel, set in a huge fireproof vault. Cashier Bell occupied the flat on the second floor. The following were the directors: Hon. John G. McHenry, of Benton, superintendent state grange banking department and member of Congress from the Sixteenth district; Hon. W.F. Hill, of Chambersburg, state grange master; Harry W. Read, John E. Smucker of Huntingdon; Hon. Thomas E. Milliken, of Miller township; M. L. Shenefelt, of Juniata township; H.A. Black, of Broad Top City; C.T. Evans, of Todd township; W.J. Hunter, of Shelleysburg; Dr. W.T. Schaeffer of Mt. Union; J.O. Martin and J.N. Knode, of Alexandria; and W.H. Stonebraker, of Mill Creek. While there were a number of grange banks in Pennsylvania; Huntingdon now had the only Grange Trust company in the state. Its capital was $125,000 in shares of $100 each. There were 250 stockholders.

    On May 12, 1958, stockholders of The Grange Trust Company and The First National Bank of Huntingdon voted to consolidate those institutions into one bank to be known as The First-Grange National Bank of Huntingdon. The effective date of the merger was May 31, 1958 and the bank operated under charter 31 issued to the First National Bank in 1863.

On August 19, 1908, the Comptroller of the Currency approved the application to organize the Farmers National Bank of Leechburg with capital of $50,000. Application was made by W.F. Hill of Huntingdon, A.H. Beale, J.H. Park, P.A. McCracken and J.D. Fluke. The officers were W.F. Hill, President; J.D. Fluke, first vice president; J.A. Schwab, second vice president; Charles Armstrong, cashier.

Other career highlights

• South Shenango School Director (1893)
• Elected Master of North Shenango Central Grange Number 844 (1894)
• Chosen as Worthy lecturer (1894-1898) of the PA State Grange, succeeding J.T. Ailman of Juniata who was elected secretary. Hon. Leonard Rhone of Center Co. chosen Worthy Master.
• Chosen Worthy master of the Pennsylvania State Grange (1899...1905)
• Delegate to the International Agriculture Conference at Rome in 1904 and 1908
• Trustee of Pennsylvania State College
• Developer and promoter of the State Farm Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Later life and death

On June 21, 1935, William F. Hill died at the age of 68 at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. He was survived by his widow, four sons and four daughters.

Bank Officer Summary

During his banking career, W. F. Hill was involved with the following bank(s):

• The Grange Trust Company, Huntingdon, PA
• Grange National Bank, Tioga, PA (Charter 8092): VP 1906...1907
• The Farmers and Traders National Bank of Clearfield, PA (Charter 8464): Director 1906
• Farmers National Bank, Leechburg, PA (Charter 9290): President 1909-1910
• Penbrook National Bank, Penbrook, PA (Charter 9344): Director 1910

NEEDED: a note signed by William F. Hill

Sources

History of grange NBs avail. bank wiki; Hill organizes Farmers NB of Leechburg-The Fulton Democrat, McConnellsburg, PA, Thu., Dec. 10, 1908. ANS-12/31/2021

• William Free Hill on Findagrave.com.
• Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935), https://bbdata.banknotehistory.com
• The Evening Republican, Meadville, PA, Wed., Jan. 10, 1894.
• The Conneautville Courier, Counneautville, PA, Thu., Dec. 20, 1894.
• Public Opinion, Chambersburg, PA, Fri., Sep. 21, 1906.
• The Danville Morning News, Danville, PA, Fri., Sep. 21, 1906.
• Altoona Tribune, Altoona, PA, Mon., Nov. 12, 1906.
• Tyrone Daily Herald, Tyrone, PA, Thu., Nov. 15, 1906.
• Altoona Tribune, Altoona, PA, Fri., Jan. 3, 1908.
• The Fulton Democrat, McConnellsburg, PA, Thu., Aug. 27, 1908.
• The Fulton Democrat, McConnellsburg, PA, Thu., Dec. 10, 1908.
• The Daily News, Huntingdon, PA, Mon., May 12, 1958.