Since 1911, this bank has been owned by our citizens, the heaviest stockholders being Rob't A. Day, J. C. Schlater and A. Sudman, up to the time when Mr. Wood bought in and became president, in 1919.

Lewellen's first bank, The Bank of Lewellen,

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

was organized in 1905, with a capital of $5,000, by J. W. Wehn, President, Chas. Burke, Vice- President, and J. H. Wehn, Cashier.

It carried on its business in a small frame building now used by the telephone exchange.

In 1911. the Garden County Bank was organized with a capital of $10,000, S. P. Delatour. President ; Eugene Delatour, Vice President, and B. C. Delatour, Cashier.

Two banks were unnecessary, so, in 1914, the Delatours bought the Bank of Lewellen, and consolidated the two under the name of Bank of Lewellen, with a capital of $25,000, and the same officers of the former Garden County Bank.

A suitable building, the present one, was built in 1917, and the capital increased to $50,000.

The present officers are : S. P. Delatour. President; B. C. Delatour, Vice President; C. G. Berquist, Cashier.

The farmers in this locality decided to have a bank of their own, so organized the Farmer's State Bank in fune, 1915, with a capital of $15,000. The first officers were M. R. Scripter, Sr., President ; M. P. Clary, Vice President; G. L. Stout, Cashier; W. A. Hostetter, Assistant Cashier.

Its growth was assured, and the capital increased to $30,000, with total assets of $315,000 and a slight change in officers : M. P. Clary, President and Chris McCormick, Vice President. Cashier and Assistant remain the same, with Irving Tilgner, Bookkeeper. This bank also is housed in a good substantial building.