The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-30
WILL OBSERVE IT'S 10th
BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

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May. 1873. he organized the w. A. l..
Thompson Hardware Co.. of this city,
which was first operated as a partner
ship between w. A. L. Thompson.
Jacob Smith and ]. c. Bauer The W..
A. L. Thompson Hardware Co., was
incorporated in 1884 and still con-
tinues in business in the city Of To-
peka.
Mr.. F. W. Freeman, vice president,
was born in Alabama during the lat:
ter days Of the recent unpleasant
ness" came to Kansas just in advance
of the grasshoppers on March 10,
1874. Received his education In the
Topeka public schools and at the
Ottawa university. His first engage
ment in business was with the Atchi-.
son, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
Co., in 1880 when he was given by the
public the title of fifth assistant gen.
eral manager" with particular super
vision over the letter press. Later he
was connected with the material de-
partment of the same railway at Las
Vegas. August, 1884 he entered the
services of the Bank of Topeka as
NOTED to assistant cashier in 1887, and
continued with that institution to
1897. AS before recited his connec-
ton with the Merchants National
bank was made in 1898, since which
date his whole aim has been devoted
to the advancement of that institu-
ton.
Mr.. F. M. Bonebrake, cashier, is a
reared in Shawnee county. He re-
ceived his education in the city schools
and Washburn college. at an early
age he took employment in the bank
ing business, spending nearly twenty
years in the service of the central Ma
tional bank of Topeka and it's prede-
cessors, and for twelve years was as
sistant cashier of that institution.
On January 1, 1904, he was elected
cashier and a director of the Mer-
chants National bank, and has since
that date given his entire time and
energies toward the upbuild1ng OF this
bank. Like Mr.. Freeman, his long
connection with local banking has
given him a wide acquaintance in the
community.
Edward A. Thrill, the assistant
cashier, was born in Manchester, N.
H, in 1865. He followed Horace
Greeley's advice in 1888 and located in
Topeka. He became identified with
the Old kansas Trust company soon
after his arrival here and continued
with that company and its successors
up to 1900, when he became an en-
ploye of the Merchants National. In
1904 he assumed the duties of assist
ant cashier. His twenty years. work
in Topeka financial institutions has
thoroughly fitted him for the place of
trust he now holds in this bank.
In addition to the officers corps
mentioned the bank employs Mr.. w. D.
Spcelman and Mr.. e. Jones, tellers;
Mr.. r. A. Birchfield, Mr.. c. B. Jordan
and Mr.. Fred Parfitt. bookkeepers;
Mr.. Roy West, collector, and Miss
4S1dA LILO I1OlyOke, SlCuOSIdpIcI, the
latter being the oldest in term of SER
vice in the institution.
OF the directors H P Dillon is a
well known attorney at law. H. r.
Nickerson is president of the Sierre
Madre and Pacific railroad. E. L.
Copeland is treasurer of the Santa Fe.
Robert Pierce is president of the Chi
n T.J1Y71 u ;e =,
attorney. W. W. Manspeaker is treas
urer of the Central Sash and Door Co.
George Neil is farmer and stock
grower.
1t would be difficult proposition to
pick a dozen more substantial, reli-
able and practical men from any town
or city in Kansas.
The Banks Methods.
After all has been said, the success
of bank depends on the integrity
and conservatism of it's active officers
The temptation to speculate and take
risks with the money of depositors is
always present. The history of the
Merchants National is a record OF
steady success year by year. Progress
sive methods, energy and shrewdness
are essential to a banks growth and
influence and are not to be confoundeo
with wildcat methods. A good banker
who is at the same time we'll bal
anced man takes a greater pride in his
bank than any man takes in any other
institution or calling in the business
world. He is the custodian of other
peoples money, and with all the law: