Franklin National Bank of Sesser

One of the institutions of Sesser and perhaps the most important in that the institution has kept pace with the rapid growth of the city, is the First National Bank.
 

The first bank in Sesser was organized on the 5th day of September, 1906, and it was kept in the corner of a grocery store. The bank was known as the Bank of Sesser, and after nine months of being conducted as a private bank it was thought desirable to reorganize into a national bank. The reorganization was on July 1, 1907, and the bank was known as the First National Bank of Sesser. The Sesser State Bank was also started and closed before the National Bank. The Bank of Sesser, our present bank, was founded August 5, 1945 and is chartered as a state bank under the banking law of Illinois. Ralph E. Gordan is cashier. The bank opened for business with deposits of $41,000.00 on the first day and current asset's now run around $3,000,000.00.

The officers of the bank are: Evan Fitzgerrell President, C. B. Lewis Vice-President, Riley D. Webb Cashier, and Don Lionberger Assistant cashier. These officers were the first officers and have remained in their respective capacities throughout the history of the bank. Directors other than the officers mentioned are: J. F. Kirkpatrick, Carroll Moore, F. H. Stamper, J. W. Huie, and W. S. Hutson.

Although the bank has the reputation of being safe and conservative it is progressive and popular institution. The capital stock is $25,000.00, with a surplus of $20,000.00. The deposits have grown constantly and are $380,000.00. The reputation of the bank and efficiency of the local officers have made stock in bank a very profitable investment every year the bank regularly declares a dividend. The bank is a member of the Federal Reserve system.

Riley D. Webb, the cashier is also the resident manager and has full responsibility in all affairs pertaining to its management. He was born April 24,1865 in Webb's Prairie and grew to manhood on his father's farm near that place. With three year's banking experience to his credit with the Ewing Bank, he came to Sesser when it was first platted and before incorporation as a village, and has been identified with building of the bank and the City of Sesser since their infancy. He married Miss Minnie Lionberger, January 31, 1892. They are the parents of one daughter, Jennie, now twenty-two years of age. As has been mentioned in the roster of the city, Mr. Webb has been the treasurer of the city since its incorporation as a village. He was chairman of the Sesser district during the Liberty Loan campaign and was active in other patriotic endeavors during the war.

The Bank of Sesser is still in town, however now it is a locally owned lounge, the night deposit is still on the east side, and the vault now serves as the liquor storage room, you are always welcome to come in and visit for a while.