The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-04-12


greatly enhanced by our banking institu.
tions, point OF considerable importance
with all financial men. And among the
houses of Hillsboro none have
been more intimately connected with
the interests of the community in which
it is conducted, or had a more uniformly
successful and prosperous career than
the one under consideration. Away
back in the year 1852 the foundation was
laid for the First National Bank by John
A. Smith and Benjamin Barrere, who
established a private banking house. In
1865 the bank was reorganized under
the national banking law and named the
Hillsboro National Bank. At the expir-
alton Of their charter, which by an act
Of Congress run for twenty years, the
bank was again reorganized as the First
National Bank, and since 1885 has been
run under that caption.
The policy upon which this bank has
been conducted is an enterprising,
though conservative one, policy which
has met the approval of our people, and
by which its officers expect to merit a
continuation of the trust and patronage
of the citizens of Highland county. It
is without any idea of depreciating the
position, Importance or ability of the
other financial institutions of this sec-
ton that we speak thus of the First Ma
tional Bank, but by virtue of its age, its
history, the magnitude of its operations
and the exceptional ability of its man
agement. The management of the bank
has been one, from the very beginning,
that has inspired confidence everywhere
within the radius where it has transact
ed business, and it is looked upon by our
citizens as an old financial standby of
the county. The capital of the First
National Bank is 500, 900, and the sur.
plus and undivided profits $25, 600. The
present officers are John A. Smith,
president, and L. 8. Smith, cashier.
John A. Smith and Benjamin Barrere
have been connected with the bank ever
since its inception. Mr.. Smith, the
president, is one of Ohio's prominent
citizens. He was elected to Congress in
1868, and was faithful to the trust re-
posed in him. He retained the Office OF
president of the bank until 1880, when
he was succeeded by Mr.. Barrere, who
in turn was succeeded by Mr.. Smith in
1884, at which time Mr.. Barrere retired
from the active management of the bus
mess.
The board of directors consists of r..
G. Barrett and S. A. Weaver, both prom
inent farmers of the county; J. H. Rich
ards, of the firm of ]. H. Richards &
Brother, dry goods merchants, and
John A. and L. s. Smith. An examine
ton of the list of directors will convince
any one that they are careful and pru-
dent business men, with whom it is per-
fectly safe to transact business. Such
an assurance should be, and doubtless
is, sufficient guarantee for any who
may not be intimately connected with
The growth of the business of this
bank has kept pace with the growth of
the city, and we are pleased to know
that in no small degree has this arisen
from the careful and systematic arrange
ments its affair have had. The list of
depositors and the amount OF the depos-
its show a steady and highly satisfactory
increase, and our people have come to
look upon the First National Bank as
one of the most necessary institutions of
the city.
Spargur b Co.
It is matter-of.fact universally allow
ed that the dry goods trade eclipses all
others in the magnitude of its opera
tions, the high rents and salaries paid,
and the richness and variety of its
wares. The most popular and frequent
ed thoroughfares are devoted to its use,
and no expense is spared in making
both exterior and interior as attractive
as possible. Having occasion to notice
the highly prominent establishments in
different parts of the city, we now desire
to call the attention of our readers to
one of the best of those on Main street,
which is the main artery OF traffic and
trade in our city, and shopping place for
the whole of Hillsboro, as well as the
surrounding country, town and villages.
The house was originally established
in 1855, and after passing through vari.
Gus business changes, and gaining a
wide reputation for square and honest
dealing, it finally passed into the hands
of Spargur & Co.. the last change being
effected the first of the year 1887. The
firm erected handsome business block,
one of the finest in the city. 1t wa
built expressly for the business and be
sides being very conveniently arranged
is one of the best lighted and ventilated
stores in Hillsboro. The stock carried
is immense, and consists of everything
known to the dry goods trade. They
make speciality of the finer grades O.
goods, and carry selection from which
the most fastidious can be suited. The
latest styles OF spring and summer dress
goods are in stock, which embraces some
exceedingly rich and novel designs and
patterns, which will we'll repay the ladiei
to call and examine In notions, ladiei
neckware, ribbons, as we'll as domestics
the lines are full and complete, and all
goods are sold at the most reasonable
prices.
The proprietor of this house is a prom
inent figure in the business life of Hills
boro, and the details of the business are
conducted with uniform accuracy and up
on the highest principles of Commercial
integrity, and the house of Sparguv
Co. maintains intact the high place
which has been accorded 1t by the trad,
throughout its long and honorable his
tory.