Looking Back; Citizens National Bank
Published 11:25 am Monday, February 19, 2018
By BRENDA S. EDWARDS
Contributing writer
Editor’s note: Information for this article was taken from The Kentucky Advocate archives.
Citizens National Bank opened for business in Danville on September 23, 1885, in the old stand of the First National Bank of Danville.
The new bank opened after the charter of the First National expired.
It was under the management of the officers of the old bank and offered the same services to its patrons.
The board was made up of president J.J. Farris, and directors C.T. Armstrong, J.L. Bruce, John J. Craig, Jacob Cozatt, A.J. Rice, Samuel Harding, J.W. Harlan, R.L. Salter, J.W. Vanarsdall and J.A. Quisenberry, cashier.
The new bank was approved by the Treasury Department, Office of Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C., July 24, 1905 after it complied with all the provisions necessary.
March 23, 1888, Advocate messenger
The Citizens National Bank building, which just emerged from the hands of the artist, is one of the neatest and most attractive banking offices in the state.
The interior, under the personal supervision of A.E. Gibbons, has been beautifully decorated, according to an article in March 1888.
The designs are entirely new and were selected with excellent taste. The whole presents a rich and elegant appearance without being gaudy, and reflects much credit up on the artist.
The officers of the institution are to be congratulated for the enterprise and progressive spirit shown in their efforts to keep apace with the present age by throwing aide the garb of old fogyism and assuming the modern dress of progression.
An advertisement in January 1905 shows the bank had $459,726 in resources and liabilities.
Quisenberry resigns
John A. Quisenberry, who had been cashier since the bank was established, resigned from the bank in April 1918, and was replaced by E.W. Cook.
Quisenberry began his career as cashier with First National Bank in January 1879. The first statement after he took charge showed deposits of $64,479.
In 1885, the National liquidated and Citizens National was organized and took over the business. The new bank started out with $100,000 in deposits. The last statement of Citizens National shows deposits aggregating $585,422, more than five times the amount of deposits of the beginning.
Quisenberry continued to reside in Danville and remained on the board of directors of Citizens National. He was also a leading factor in securing the Southern Railway for Danville.
Cook has been with the bank since 1892 beginning as a clerk then a bookkeeper and assistant cashier. He is a Centre College graduate.
Citizens National Bank served Danville and Boyle County for more than 100 years.