Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-26
OUR BUSINESS MEN.
Observation-Disclosures M MANUFAC-
TURES.


TURES.
The men that handle the money are at
the head of the column this week as we
promised, and then we run into our usual
grove of merchants and manufacturers.
Soon after the consolidation Of the Val
ley and First National Banks Of Staunton,
it was deemed advisable by some of our
capitalists and best fnanciers that a new
bank should be established. The times,
however, were squally, money tight, bust
ness men distrustful, and the consolidated
bank supported by a host of friends, who
saw no necessity for another. Still, under
all these discouragements, the promoters
of the new scheme struggled on.
Mr.. N. P. Catlett was the most active
among the new organizers. His energy
was untirlng, and his confidence in ultl-
mate success never abated. He had an
active and efficient coadjutor in MI. u.
G. McGufin, and Judge FL. W. Sheffey
rendered valuable assistance to the enter
prise. So on the 9th May, 1875.
THE AUGUSTA NATIONAL BANK
was chartered with a capital OF $4,000,
one-half Of which sum was paid up, its in
corporatcrs in Guiding many OF the active
business men of Staunton, and many from
abroad.
At it's organization Judge FL. W. Sheffey
was elected president; Mr.. n. 2. Catlett,
cashier and Mr.. ID. G. McGuffin, teller.
Afterwards MI. G. S. Arnall was chosen
b%ook-keeper; Mr.. S. G. Baskins, individual
b~ook-keeper, and MI. VIM. Nee utfin, run
ner. The directors were Messrs. Il. W.
Sheffey, D. a. Kayser, VIM. L. Bumgard>
ner, T. K. Menifee, NJ. 2. F~unkhouser,
Ed. McMahon, G. G. Gooch, A. FL. FL.
Stuart, N. K. Trout, A. Sproul, Jno. B.
Evans, Thos. D. Ransom and j. Z. Marquis,
and under the management of these gentle
men, all well known as men of good judg-
ment and financial standing, and with a
corps Of competent and popular officers, the
new bank was at once received into public
favor and entered upon a successful career.
Mr.. Trout soon resigned, and some time
afterwards Messrs. McMahon and Ransom,
and in July, rs, the board suffered a loss
in one of its largest stockholders and
warmest friends by the death of Mr.. Menu
fee, and their places were supplied by the
election of MI. RI. Parrish. OF Covington,
and Mr.. G. S. Baker, of this city.
In May last the capital of the Augusta
| National was increased to Sl0O,0 00, and
the bank found itself well established on a
firm financial basis, enjoying the confidence
of the community with a large and steadily
increasing business, the substantial evil
dences Of which may be seen in its last
! statement, one item Of which shows a
s%emi-annuaI dividend of 4 per cent-a good
showing for an institution born under SO
many difficulties, and nov just completing
the twentieth month of its existence.
On the corner Of Main and Market sts.,
is the carriage factory Of
JOHN n. HARDY.
Mr.. Hardy has been d citizen of Staun-
ton t. e%nty-nine years, having commenced
his apprenticeship about the year 1913, III
the employ of Hardy & Marstellus, in tbs
same business and in the same building
where he is now and has been for years
proprietor. In 1866, having spent the pre-
vious year in Winchester, he bought out
the business here from his brother, Mr.
r. W. Hardy, who was at that time sole
owner, n has carried it On ever since
with the exception Of three years when he
rented to Waters, Hilbert q Hardy. Du-
ring the war che Confederate government
carried On harness making and horse shoe
ing at Mr.. Hardy's establishment, he act
ing as superintendent Of the concern.
Resuming his business prior to 1870, he
has taken a first premium every year
since at the Augusta Fair-His es-
Enlistment IS large and complete in
its several departments, consisting of a
work shop or wood room, a paint room,
varnish room, hardware room, finishing
room and blacksmith shop, and there is
a large let for the accommodation OF the
horses of his country friends.
Mr.. II. makes a specially Of the Concord
top buggy, and his make has become quite
popular, he having succeeded in bringing
| that trade home which had heretofore gone
to a New Hampshire market. and claims
to make as good a. buggy and finish it as
| nicely as it can be done in Concord, Which
is conceded to him by many in this and
the adjoining counties who have bought of
him and tested his work.
In Hardy's building is the harness shop
of
JAS.H II. SMITH, =
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