New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-25
HISTORY OF The BANK
FOUNDED IN 1853 by MERCHANTS IN THE
LEATHER BUSINESS.

FOUNDED IN 1853 ny MERCHANTS ~ THE
LEATHER BUSINESS.
Merchants Identified with the leather business in
this city founded the National Shoe and Leather
Bank in 1888. II was az first organized under the
State law and was a State bank with capital
stock Of $4,000 The original place Of business was
AT John and William SITS. but in 1855 the business
was moved 10 No al Broadway whore the bank
has been ever since II Is on the southwest corner
o. Broadway and Chambers-st. There handsome
nve-story white marble building was erected ana
owned by the bank In 1855. The banks offices were
on the first floor and the upper floors and the oase-
rent were let as Offices. There was a railroad
ticket Office IN the basement for many years The
cost Of the building was about s2i"eel
Ioring Andrews a prominent and successful
leather merchant was the first president OF the
bank He was succeeded by William H. Carey who
WAS president FOR number Of years. In lN3 the
institution became a National bank The capital stock
was increased t. Sl.roeo last year. Although the
bank was next door TO the Chemical National Bank.
there was plenty Of business in the neighborhood
for both of them The National shoe AMI Leather
Bank was steadily prosperous. attracting business 10y
it, conservative methods from men engaged in
various lines OF trade and from many wealthy cap
itasts The confidence imposed in the bank has
been So great that many wealthy men have allowed
large balances 70 remain undisurbed there Tor years
one depositor was mentioned yesleria has having
had A balance OF over Sln.Io 10 his credit in the
bank for nineteen years without drawing single
check against II. \ few years ago the surplus ana
undivided profits OF the bank amounted 10 ABOUT
500 the total resources $4,000 and the ag-
gregate line OF deposits reached N5oOOD The shares
OF the stockholders. which were OF 800 par value
each. had been quoted at Sl6o.
John NJ. Crane became president OF the banK
twelve years ago and he is one OF the Oldest DahK
officials In point OF service In the city He was
employed In the bank Il clerk forty-t"o years
ago and he was advanced to the place OF cashier
which he held for number OF years before ne
was made president. Associated with Mr. crane
FOR A number of years have been George L. fease'
vice-prcsdent. and William d. Van Week oa S
The directors are Thomas Russell iheo-
dore NJ Ives John VI. Crane. George L. fease.
Joseph ; stout AlOnZo Slote Felix tamppeIi; Joni
H. Hegcman. John H. Graham John y Deach anu
Mortimer &. ogden. ,, ,,,u,,r.,
Two years ago the white marble bank Duidlns'
which had been occupied 10y the bank Tor thry-
seven wears was torn down 10 make room for the
sixteen-storv nreproof building when was com
nl.,ed last summer. The banks offices are on the
rrst t,oor of the new building. and they are com
uiete and ample The best burgIar-proot vaults
hold the cash and securities ne new puili.
ING which Is the property OF the bahk' Sost
ohnut SaopU IL contains a large number or oilces
which are let at good prices ana the annual rei
roll of the building Is enormous Jon, W non
c,,,nse for the l.eXow Committee ana Necoruer-
cl.rt Is one OF the who have onlces In the
t,HIiiirT The bank has about 400 depositors. and
emniovs a staN OF about forty clerks. sworn
statement of the banks resources ana liabilities
w"s made in July last follows:
prSoI-RCt.S