Valley Girl Views: The Early Banks Of Watsontown Pa

There were two banks in the history of early Watsontown -

Watsontown National Bank, and Farmers National Bank.

Watsontown National Bank

Watsontown National Bank, 300 Main Street

Moved into the building above in 1880.

The Watsontown Bank which was established about 1872. The capital is $60,000 surplus and undivided profits $62,000 deposits $220,000 and circulation $60,000. The president is Mr Thompson Bower, vice president Mr John P Dentler, and the cashier Mr WA Nicely. The directors are Thompson Bower Thomas G Caldwell William R Bly Thomas H Kisner John P Dentler Samuel A Lowry Frank E Kirk and Cyrus Leinbach. Mr Nicely the cashier was born on a farm in Delaware township near Watsontown where he spent the earlier years of his life. He entered the bank as teller in 1880 and in 1900. He is treasurer of the IO of OF of Watso town both the subordinate and the camp and also treasurer of the town. He is the collector for the local council Royal Arcanum and the recorder of Artisans Order of Mutual Protection. He is also a Past Master of Watsontown Lodge No 401 Free and Accepted Masons and a Past High Priest of Warrior Run Royal Arch Chapter 246. The bank owns the building which it occupies located at the corner of Third and Main streets. It is an individual bank building built of brick and unusual care was taken to make the vault impervious to all attacks that could be made upon it by evilly disposed persons .

1915 - New Building

Watsontown National Bank, 300 Main Street

The Buildings above - First National Bank, Rombach Building, Cronrath Home, Dentist

The building shown here was built in 1915.

Today this is the First National Bank.

From the Anniversary Edition of The Record & Star

Watsontown National Bank, 1929 National Bank Note

In 1956 the Watsontown National Bank was enlarged by joining the bank with the former Rombach building.

Farmers National Bank

107-109 Main Street

Spots Insurance, and the Farmers National Bank. Both of these buildings are now one. The Farmers National Bank expanded into both spaces, and later it became the Santander Bank. (Across from the Watson Inn)

In 1886 Farmers National Bank of Watsontown was created. The charter was granted on February 27th 1886, and the doors first opened on March 29th of that year.

From the Anniversary Edition Of The Record & Star, 1907

Staff inside the Watsontown National Bank, 1918
Julia Maes, E.D. Dietrick, James Nicely

Farmers Bank, 109 Main St Watsontown, 1957

Later Santander Bank. Now owned by the borough.

The first financial report of Farmers National Bank was published May 13 1887

The first board of directors was elected on January 2 1886: Charles Hellman, Samuel Everitt, Simpson Smith, JH Harley, DF Wagner, Thomas Clapp, WH Nicely, Daniel Lerch, Alem Mauser, EL Matchin, VI Truckenmiller, Hiram Dunkle & Enoch Everitt.

The bank was remodeled for the first time in 1922, and in 1957 it was enlarged and modernized.