The San Francisco call., 1908-03-23
PROMINENT BANKER
DIES SUDDENLY
Charles Edgar Palmer OF Oak
land Succumbs to Heart
Failure
Active in Politics of Alameda
County Until He Became a
Financier

OAKLAND, March 22.-Charles Ed
gar Palmer. one of the most promi-
nent bankers on this side Of the bay,
died Of heart failure at his home, 50
Monte Vista avenue, early this morning
after an illness OF two weeks. He
Lad been in i'll health for some time,
but had been confined to his bed W.T.
q serious attack only for IA days, and
his death came suddenly, due to a
wearing down of his system by sick
ness. He was more than 60 years old.
Palmer was one of the leading CAPT
fslists Of Oakland for 10 years. and
was for u years county treasurer and
tax collector when the two offices were
combined in Alameda county with the
county seat at San Leandro. He served
in that office as chief deputy to James
Mcclure. then to r. s Farrelly, and
was himself elected to and held the
position for le years in succession to
Farrelly.
Palmer was born in Ames, Montgom-
cry county. New York, November 20.
ISt5. While he was an infant his
family removed to Marquette. Wis,
where he received his early education
lie was sent TO Esstman's college,
Poughkeepsie, \. Y, and after his
graduation served as an instructor. He
was a member of the student band. and
played at the second inauguration of
President Lincoln. and four years later
At the funeral Of the martyred chief
executive. His band Of students was
the hand of honor which was taken on
the funeral train across the country.
COMES WEST IN 'ee
Returning to wisconsin for time
Palmer came west and arrived in San
Francisco in August, 1856. He made
the passage by way of Panama, and
the subsequent A. years of Palmer's
life were spent in this state AS a
Young man he entered politics, his res
idence At that time being in San Le-
andre. then the county seat. There he
was married to Miss Mary L. Grigsby.
who survives him. He became a dep
uty treasurer and for many years was
a familiar figure in the courthouse.
That courthouse was destroyed by the
earthquake of 1858. when Palmer was
the chief deputy. He was in the build
ing when the temlor came. and the man
with whom he was conversing was the
only victim il claimed in the county
seat
BECOMES 4 FINANCIER
Palmer gave up politics to enter
finance and became 3 director Of the
Union national bank. which he helped
10 establish. He had been associated
as director with the Union savings
bank. the Union national, the Home
security building and loan association,
the Farmers and Merchants savings
bank and the bankers trust company.
Recently he was president of the Union
national bank and it was by his efforts
with those of the present heads of the
institution. that il was saved during
the recent crisis. The strain of the
work was too much for him and his
i'll health dates from that time. He
became the president Of the bank for a
time, then resigned, but had continued
in his place as director of the several
banks named.
Palmer left q wife, a son, Silas H.
Palmer. a San Francisco contractor; I;
two daughters, and several other rela-
tives. His daughters are Miss Bessie
Palmer and Mrs. George S. Wheaton.
Mrs. E. 6. Matthews of East Oakland,
Mrs. L. J. Hardy of East Oakland and
Mrs. James Lsrue of Oakland were
sisters. He left also two nieces, Mrs.
Alexander Ireland. wife of San Fran
cisco banker, and Mrs. Kenneth A. Kerr,
and a nephew, Lloyd Larue, Grass
Valley attorney.
The funeral will be held tomorrow
afternoon at $3.50 o'clock from the Pal
mer residence followed by cremation.
Palmer was a member of the Masonic
lodge in San Leandro.