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- Description:
- This 8-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by George H. Russell who was the President of the State Savings Bank. The bank letterhead is printed in black text at the top. The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "Detroit's Banking, Retrospective" George H. Russel 31 Dec 1900 To Detroit in 2001 A.D. Our worthy and honorable Mayor William C. Maybury has requested me to write a few words for the "Century Box" on the subject of my present occupation, Banking - I much regret that no time is given me to properly prepare an article upon so important a subject as such a city and people as then may be resident here. Now I can only briefly and hastily give such recollections and present facts that may occur to me. Born in Detroit Nov 29. 1847 educated in its Public Schools I have lived in this good city over fifty three years. I commenced work in 1863 and since then have been engaged and actively connected with the manufacturing interests of this city (particularly in the manufacture of Pig Iron, Castings Car Wheels, Cars, Structural Steel, Chemicals, etc.). I did not enter the Banking business until Dec 1889 when I accepted the presidency of the State Savings Bank which then had deposits of about $1,000,000.00 and ranked thirteenth in place. Now the State Savings Bank in its new marble building has deposits of over $9,000,000.00 and holds first place among the banks of this city and state. Living in the city during the last half of this great century in a period when Detroit's population has increased from 20,000 to 300,000 people, I have seen many changes. From a few private and incorporated banks having a total deposit of less than one million dollars, we now have fifteen (15) State Banks, six National Banks, two Trust Company[ies], one private banker having total deposits of over $73,000,000.00. I can remember the Michigan State Bank, The Michigan Insurance Bank, The Peninsular, The Farmers and Mechanic's Bank and the State Bank all incorporated and ably managed under such men as C.C. Trowbridge, John A. Wells, John Owen, H.K. Sanger, H.H. Brown, H.J. Stringham, L.M. Mason, J.C.W. Seymour, Walter Ingersoll, J.P. Hall, Emory Wendell, A.H. Adams and many others whom I knew and pleasantly remember. Then the Detroit Savings Fund Institute a specially chartered Savings Bank, upon the mutual plan, organized by H.N. Walker, Elon Farnsworth, Samuel Lewis, A.H. Adams and others, was our first bank for savings. The incorporated banks after surviving the "Wild Cat" period and the varying values of different state bank currency gave way to the National System in 1863 - which for some years did nearly all the commercial business but through this time the private banks of A.H. Dey, Wen. A. Butler and G.A. Ives and David Preston did a successful business. Then after 1870 the Peoples Saving's Bank organized by Francis Palms and M.W. O'Brien and the Wayne County Savings under S. Dow Elwood, W.B. Wesson and Herman Kiefer occupied this field of State and Savings Banks until 1883 when the State Savings Bank was organized by David Hamilton, T.S. Anderson and R.S. Mason. In 1887 the new banking law was passed and as a Constitutional Amendment was confirmed by a vote of the people in 1888. From this time until the panic of 1893 several banks were organized whose statements and officers names appear in the pamphlet enclosed. These banks enter the 20th Century in strong condition and with the best prospects. The country takes place as the leading nation in the world and New York City soon will become the clearing center for the financial interests of all nations. The outlook is bright but the future of business and banking depends so much upon the political condition in our great Republic that one cannot look far into the future. At present the business is good and it is a pleasure to do banking and to be associated with such men as M.W. O'Brien, D.M. Ferry. F.W. Hayes, Hugh McMillan, Alex McPherson, Wm Livingstone, Alex McGregor and others who lead the chief financial institutions of our city. Wishing that I could see the development of another 100 years I leave to younger bankers and those that follow them my blessing. George Howard Russel. I am the son of Dr. Geo. B. Russel who came here in 1836 and of Anna Davenport born in Detroit in 1827. She was the daughter of Lewis Davenport who came from Vermont and of Sarah Homer born in Detroit in 1809. G.H.R."
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Detroit Anniversaries
- Description:
- Illustrated souvenir booklet from the Detroit Savings Bank's golden jubilee, March 5, 1899. In the back is a fold-out map of Detroit and an essay titled: Looking Backward, or 1849 vs. 1899.
- Date Issued:
- 1899-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Business/Stores/Retail
- Description:
- This tan paper envelope contained a 6-page letter that was written Michael W. O'Brien who was the President of the People's Savings Bank. The front of the envelope is addressed in handwritten text to "Hon. Wm. C. Maybury, Mayor, from M. W. O'Brien" and shows the subject of the letter, "Banking in Prospective in Detroit," in handwriting along the right edge of the envelope. The return address of the bank is printed in black text in the upper left corner of the envelope. The back flap is secured with three red wax seals that have been impressed with the seal of the bank.
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Detroit Anniversaries
- Description:
- Handwritten letter from Henry Schoolcraft of 846 Clinton Boulevard, Michilimackinac to Charles Christopher Trowbridge of Detroit, dated September 2, 1838, sent accompanying devalued money from the wildcat bank, Bank of Clinton. Schoolcraft uses the Ojibwe words, "Ka. onishishin," to describe the currency. "Ka" means "no," and Schoolcraft, in his book, "The American Indians: Their History, Condition and Prospects, From Original Notes and Manuscripts," defines "onishishin" as "that which is good, or fair." The letter reads: Michilimackinac, Sept. 2nd 1838 My dear fri, On returning from a short trip to Lake Superior I found $46 of Clinton money, in my pocketbook to have, in the meantime, become Ka. onishishin. I take the liberty of enclosing it to you, with a request that you will sell it, for what it is worth, or do whatever else you please with it, and be accountable for [?] here after. I add, that I received every dollar of it, from Mr. Wells, as past pay on a check from Maj. G. for salary. Truly yours Henry R. Schoolcraft C.C. Trowbridge Esq. Detroit The recipient and sender's names are handwritten on the verso, in such a way to be visible after the letter is folded.
- Date Issued:
- 1838-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Business/Stores/Retail
- Description:
- Menu for a complimentary dinner given to honor the directors of the Wayne County and Home Savings Bank in recognition of the completion of its new office building on the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Griswold Street. Held at the Detroit Athletic Club. Includes a chronological history of the building construction. On the front cover are photos of bank chairman Frank H. Croul, president Julius H. Haass, and architect John M. Donaldson. Bound by a burgundy ribbon.
- Date Issued:
- 1916-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Business/Stores/Retail
- Description:
- Blue monochromatic postcard depicting a view along the south side of W Fort Street at Shelby Street. In view are the State Savings Bank, Penobscot Building, and Hammond Building. Handwritten message on verso, postmarked May 11, 1908. A. C. Dietsche, Detroit, Mich. And Leipzig. Made in Germany
- Date Issued:
- 1908-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Postcard
- Description:
- Handwritten letter of recommendation with envelope written by Harry A. O'Brien, the head of Northwestern High School's Commercial Department, to Paull Fitzgerald of First National Bank on behalf of Northwestern graduate Harold Nunez, dated January 20, 1922. The letter is on Northwestern High School stationery. O'Brien explains that Nunez excelled in his bookkeeping class. O'Brien suggests Nunez as a candidate for the positions open to high school graduates of which he was recently notified. The envelope bear's the recipient's handwritten name, "Mr. Paull Fitzgerald, First National Bank."
- Date Issued:
- 1922-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Business/Stores/Retail
- Description:
- One print entitled "Bank Officers Detroit, Michigan, 1896." The print shows 65 oval-shaped, head and shoulders photographic images of notable bankers in the city. The name is shown for each image and also, in most cases, the job title. Small printed text at the center lower edge shows "Copyright, 1896, By J. H. Bowles, 94 Reade St., N.Y." The names of the bankers are as follows (left to right) 1st row: A. A. Parker, Gilbert Hart, Alex. H. Adams, Albert Ives, Edward Kanter, Clement M. Davidson, David Preston, Henry P. Baldwin, John S. Gray, Hugh McMillian, Collins B. Hubbard, Alex. Chapoton, Jr.; 2nd row: W. H. Brace, James McGregor, F. D. Eatherly, Morris L. Williams, D. M. Ferry, S. Dow Elwood, Alex. McPherson, George Anderson, Edward H. Butler, S. M. Cutcheon, G. B. Sartwell; 3rd row: A. Ives, Jr., Butler Ives, George W. Edwards, Thomas McGraw, Emory Wendell, Alex. H. Dey, George Peck, L. E. Clark, Hamilton Dey, W. C. Colburn, A. E. F. White; 4th row: Louis Blitz, Charles F. Collins, Herbert L. O'Brien, R. H. Fyfe, George H. Russell, Sidney D. Miller, R. S. Mason, Frederick B. Sibley, H. L. Kanter, John M. Dwyer; 5th row: J. C. Hart, Joseph B. Moore, J. B. Padberg, John T. Shaw, Martin S. Smith, M. W. O'Brien, F. W. Hayes, Charles Emerson, George E. Lawson, E. C. Bowman, Charles E. Kanter; 6th row: L. C. Sherwood, H. P. Borgman, Enoch Smith, G. S. Robinson, Julius H. Haass, William T. DeGraff, Austin E. Wing, Duncan Stewart, Jr., George B. Caldwell, Edwin F. Mack, Charles A. Warren.
- Date Issued:
- 1896-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Business/Stores/Retail
- Description:
- Illustrated souvenir booklet from the opening of the Detroit Savings Bank Building, written by George B. Catlin. Includes photos of all the branch banking houses.
- Date Issued:
- 1921-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Business/Stores/Retail
- Description:
- These 3 pages have been cut from a financial statement concerning banks in Michigan. The pages provides a summary of the assets and liabilities of the state banks, national banks, and trust companies in Michigan. The pages are printed in black text on slightly yellowed paper.
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Detroit Anniversaries
