Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-24

| tate in improved parts SAMUEL NoRMESr.
| of the city where there is no uncertainty as to
values, has been amasssd by Mr. Norment
| through wise business methods and careful at
tention to his affairs and stands as q monument
to his enterprise. sagacity and good manage
| ment Mr.. Norment is II self-made man in the
sense that he has made his own career and for
tune. He began his life in this city as clerk in
the Treasury at salary of $500 year, hav ing
been given the place during President Folks
administration through the influence of Hon.
John Y. Mason. Within a few wears his abilities
had been recognized by successive promotions
until ne had reached the highest grade in his
division.
Such employment. however. did not suit him
and he resigned to begin an active business
career. He engaged in the lumber business,
IN which ne continued with marked success for
seventeen years. when he retired to devote
himself to banking, insurance and fnanciering,
I Tor which he had early developed q talent.
His success is attested by his wealth and the
influential position he holds in the business
world. Mr.. Norment. however, has not given
his time wholly to business. He has taken a
deep interest in educational institutions and
has promoted the cause of learning by muniti-
cent gifts to several churches and colleges.
Ever since his youth, though in no sense
sectarian, he has been connected
with and has been an influential member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. As a strong and
logical debater he has often taken a leading
part in the deliberations of governing bodies
Of that church. The issue of the great contro-
versy that resulted in securing lay representa-
ton In the church is attributed largely to the
powerful speech made by Mr.. Norment in the
| famous laymen's convention in Philadelphia
MIR. Norment is apparently still in the prime Of
his life, with strong physique and prospect
OF many more years of activity and usefulness.
Mr.. Norment now has the distinction of con-
trolling and paying taxes on more real estate
than any other individual in Washington. His
no hant
began with its organization April IL, 1873 He
has been president of the bank ever since its
foundation. Its history has been one of steady
progress on safe lines. For years the bank oc-
cupied portion of the old Bank of Washing
ton building, but it purchased and moved into
Its present spacious and handsome quarters
April l, 1888. At the time of the removal to
the new building the deposits were
Sl,ol2, 764.63 At the present time the
deposits are S1,342, 367. IS. an increase in
little over year Of one-third secured with
out any effort on the part of the management
The discounts at present are S733. 461. G8; and
cash on hand and in banks S593, 880.71. Since
organization the bank has paid out in divi-
dends $50. 900; and carried TO the surplus fund
SlOO.OOO. There Is now on hand in undivided
profits about $4,000. Associated with Mr.
Norment in the management of the affairs of
the bank are a number of well-known citizens
and leading business men of Washington. Mr.
Jas. l.. Barbour is vice president and Mr.. J. A.
hou caouier. Inc Dodru OF directors COM
prises. besides Messrs. Norment and Barbour,
the following gentlemen: Messrs. j. c.
Ergood, VIM. B. Webb, II. Browning B.
Charlton. VIM. E. Clark. o. T. Thompson. ].
L. Edwards, levi Woodbury. and w. K. Men,
denhall.
The Farmers and Mechanics Bank.
Among the Oldest and best known business
institutions of the District is the Farmers and
Mechanics national bank, whose building on
Bridge street, Georgetown, is a landmark.
The records Of this banking house are init
mately connected with the history of the Dis
trict and with the earlier financial operations
OF the United States government. The Farmers
and Mechanics bank organized February
10. 1914, with William Marbury as president
and Clement Smith as cashier. and began opera
tlons upon the site the bank now occupies Fifty
thousand dollars were loaned to the United
States May IL, 1914; afterward other sums were
advanced to the government and the notes of
this bank were used in paying the troops of
Gen. Andrew Jackson at New Orleans Its
capital stock is $3.50 900: surplus $50. 600: IN
divided profits, S63, 951. 03. Some of the old
furniture and furnishings belonging to the
bank in its early days were in use up to few
years ago, when, in the course ofimprovements.
the bank was refurnished Today, instead of
plain wooden paiings to protect the money
drawers strong and handsome brass screens do
that service.
The officers OF the bank were provided with
handsome private offices while the work of i'm
provements were being made.
henry NJ Sweeny, president of the Farmers
and Mechanics national bank of GEORGETOWN
u. e., and also president of the Potomac insur-