The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-06


Chamber of Commerce, called the gath
erng to order. the venerable banker came
at $3.50 o'clock. He was in time to miss
the crowd, but when recognized nothing
would do but that four score prominent
citizens should take him by the hand and
congratulate him upon the construction
of the 25 story skyscraper. With modesty
Mr. Enslen heard his work praised and
laughed at a proposition that life sized
bust of himself be placed in the center
of the banking rooms to be finished by
the new year. He went over the banking
room space with evident interest, spoke
encouragingly to a workman or two and
then re-entered his car and went home.
Talks of Early Days
To a few who gathered around him Mr.
Enslen made a few remarks. They were
not in the nature of a speech or anything
like that. but merely few choice bits of
Information that were of interest
II once refused to buy this lot for $500, ="
said the aged pioneer. That was some
years ago. | turned that offer down, be-
leying it to be excessive. However, we
finally bought it for sl5o,OOO That is GO
ing up rather high. When first came to
Birmingham 30 years ago this was wild
woods. The Elyton Land company was
occupying an office where the Alabama
Great Southern freight houses are now To-
Gated. ! have, as you can imagine, seen
this city grow considerably"
what is your opinion as to the fu-
ture?' he was asked
"I think Birmingham will continue to
grow" replied Mr.. Enslen thoughtfully
Il think the changes that will occur in
the years to come will be as great and
as astonishing those that have taken
place since | came here. l do not think
there is anything too good for this dis
trict"
Mr.. Enslen said he intended to attend
the party on the roof of the new 25 story
structure since he missed the festivities
on the ground floor. At the celebration
yesterday. Maj. w. j. Miner. a pioneer of
this district and T. H. Motion both made
talks They both remarked that the head
of the house of Enslen had done black
smith work for them during the early
days. That was affirmed by Mr. Enslen
later when commenting upon the pioneer
times.
Was Born in Germany
He came to America from his German
home in 1S45. landing at New Orleans.
He was Is years of age at that time He
made his way to Mobile thence to Mont
gomery and there in blacksmith shop,
under Jim Fountain, he learned the black
smith trade. He was careful, honest, In
dustrious and a Christian. Tie subse-
uuently moved to Selma, where he mar
ried. In 1850 he removed to Wetumpka
He was member of Lomaxs regiment
during the war of 1S6O-65. Prior to that
war, however, he was in the Mexican war
serving there for three years When the
civil war came he was therefore a veter-
an. Mr. Enslen was in the march to PEN
sacoa and was sent ahead to close up the
saloons and put down whisky traffic. lie
remarked that while he had always been
temperate, that was the first time he was
ever engaged In the prohibition move
ment
He was finally given place of making
arms and repairing them. so he served
in that department during the latter part
of the war. He continued to follow his
trade as blacksmith until out OF his own
accumulated resources he started the JEFF
ferson County Savings bank He wanted
the word savings in the bank to empha-
money sufficient TO finance that baak.
From that meager beginning in 1888 the
bank has grown until now the institution
founded by the veteran of two wars, the
frugal blacksmith and the pioneer is en-
gagged in erecting the tallest and perhaps
the handsomest building south of Chicago.
Retired Few Years Ago
Mr. Enslen II tired few years ago from
the presidency of his bank. Eugene =.
Enslen, his Oldest son, is now president,
and upon his shoulders has fallen the
greater part of the banks work. Mr..
Enslen senior is chairman of the board.
Considering his advanced age. the vene--
able financier carries his age with
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