St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-06
THE GERMANIA BANK
And a Notable Group of Men
Among Its Directors.

Success. to such marked degree, has
seldom come in so short space of time
TO many institutions as to the Germania
bank. 1t is just seven years old. In
May, 1884, William Bickel organized the
bank. 1t had been the intention to start
with a capital of 100000, but once the
books were opened, subscriptions rolled
in so rapidly that S300.000 was fixed
upon; in 1887 further increase to $780,
600 was made. The bank doors were
opened in 1884, in the building, corner
Fifth and Wabasha, with the following
officers: Ernst Albrecht, president;
Gov. A. Ramsey, vice president; Will
lam Bickel, cashier, and =. NJ. KerSt,
assistant cashier. Subsequently Mr..
Albrecht retired, and was succeeded by
Gov. Ramsey, who, in turn, withdrew.
and Mai. H. b. Strait succeeded to the
presidency. Mr.. Bickel continuing his
career as cashier. A year ago the bank
was removed to its superb building on
the opposite corner, where it has con-
tinued its career of prosperity.
William Bickel, to whom most of the
credit of the bank is due, is native of
Germany, his birthplace being near the
famous waters of Baden. Early in life
he emigrated to America. and made his
ingdOn, Ind. He was hub and spoke
manufacturer, and in connection with
his factory was postmaster of the town
for years. Following the star of em-
pire, he came west in 1868 and engaged
in mercantile enterprises in st. Peter.
There he again took lively interest IN
politics, and in 1877 was appointed by
President Hayes to be collector of in
ternal revenue, which post he held until
the accession of President Cleveland.
In 1884 Mr.. BlckePs shrewdness fore
told the election OF Democratic chief
magistrate, and, in casting about for q
line of business. the Germania bank
was the result. Once in the bank. he
forsook politics. but in 1888 was elected
alderman, leading the ticket at large.
He served but one term, declining a
denomination. AS cashier of the bank
Mr.. Bickel has contributed largely To its
success. Besides beng capable and
active official, his acquaintance and in
fluence attracted to the bank large
class of depOSitors and clients, which
has always adhered to it.
Ernst Albrecht. the first president
and always a member of the board, is a
type of the leading German-AmericanS
of st. Paul. He is a German by birth,
and came to st. Paul in the days when,
no matter how poor the start, wealth al
WAYS lay at the command of energy and
enterprise. Mr.. Albrecht had both, and
has been q marked success in business.
With his brother, he opened fur store,
which has been one of the staple inStitu-
tons of the city. In this and in various
other enterprises Mr.. Albrecht has
amassed a competence. though he is
still actively engaged in business pur-
suits. He is no longer young, but still
takes delight in amusements; is an
active member of the German society,
and displayed a great interest III lend
ing his aid to tho arrangements for re-
ceiying and entertaining the visitors to
the kreisfest. He is especially popular
with his countrymen, to whom he is best
known, and his influence on the banks
business is always palpable.
The central character in the Ger
mania bank is Gov. Alexander Ramsey.
1t is impossible, in the confines of such
a sketch, to give anything like COM
prehensive picture of so conspicuous
and historic a character. Congress
man, senator, secretary Of war. gov
ernor-every position mans widest
ambition might compass has been filled
by Alexander Ramsey, who stands out
to-day as the grandest figure of Mime
sofa history. He was born in Harris
burg, Pa, in 1915, and is consequently
seventy-six years of age, but is the same
bluff. jovial, hale and hearty Alexander
Ramsey as of old. In 1915 ne was mar
ried to Miss Anna E. jerks, of
Newton, Bucks county, Pa. His
political career began before then.
1t was in the Harrison campaign of
1910 that he took an active part and was
chosen secretary of the electoral col
lege. Next year he was chief clerk of
the Pennsylvania house of representa-
tives. Twice was he elected to congress,
and third term he declined. AS chair
man of the Wing state committee he did
valiant service in 1S4S, and President
Taylor rewarded him by appointing
him governor OF the territory of Mime
sofa, the duties of which he assumed
on the lst day of May, 1S49. In 1858 his
term closed, and in 1856 he was chosen
mayor of st. Paul. In 1857 he was de-
feated for the first governorship OF the
state, but two years later was elected,
and the honor repeated in 1851. In Lam