The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-12-19


Charles L. Anderson, whose genius
anl hard work built the FIRST National
IN this ci;y. has exertel a pow
Influence In oil development,
nas played the part Of L sttilna'e
iher. and through his genei Gus
.ot.Gs 10 men of the oil fra:o,n.ty
he has contributed largely toward
the development of the oil fields in
the Arjrnore district and in perform
|, ing this service be has helped to
create a vast wealth which all of the
people have shared in more or less.
The lure OF oil and gas. the lure
Of speculation which intoxicated many
other men seemed never to have
touched his life and he has remained
steadfast to his first love- the First
National Bank. Despite this fact he
profited largely in the Healdton field
through investments with B. A. Simp-
son and others, and he Is now a
partner with Mr.. simpson in the
Hewitt field. He also made profit
oble oil investments through others in
the Ranger district of Texas. Mr..
Anderson has not made any attempt
to acquaint himself with the details
requ red in the production of petro-
leum.
Born in the state of Mississippi, he
accompanied his father to Texas and
almost on the first train that came
In over the Santa Fe he arrived IN
Ardmore with the intention OF en-
barking in the banking business. He
leased a building in the first block
west of the Santa Fe depot and in
stalled a small iron safe and a led
ger. and announced that he, was
ready to receive deposits. He was
not equipped to take care of any
large sum of money, and as his funds
accumulated he took them to
Gainesville for safe keeping.
Mr.. Anderson did the greater part
Of his own work and kept very close
TO his business and inspired conf
dence in the First National Bank be-
This was the first banking institu-
ton that ever opened for business in
either the Indian Territory or Okla
homa Territory. Many bankers were
afraid to come in here and risk taxi
ing deposits and making loans In
country that was advertised as beng
as wild as the Indian Territory was
reputed to be at that time. But MT.
Anderson had been more or less OF q
pioneer himself; he knew how 10
make friends with the early COW
man and with the pioneer mercnaht'
and he has helped thousands OF men
TO success.
The small bank which he started IN
1889 has grown to be mammoth in-
stiintlon. II now occupies what Is
probably the finest exclusive bank
bu ldinG in the state of Oklahoma
Mr. Anderson has achieved this sue
cess and is still a young man. HIS
life is an inspiration to any boy VINO
would like to achieve similar sue
cess.
After leaving the farm he worked
In an express office where the hours
were long, and the work consisted
chiefly Of heavy lift ng, and comon-
ed large responsibility because oil
the merchandise and money tha'
were handled, by the express COM
pany He was never afraid TO WORK
and established a reputation for re-
liability and never yielded to any oil
the ,emptations OF pioneer life. HIS
hours Of recreation have been spen'
with the family circle where ne
his devoted much time 10 reading and
so study. and he is today one OF the
b,.s informed men In public LIE In the
southwest.
He is giving his three sons the very
best OF educational opportunities anu
Is cauipping them FOR any KIND o'
career that they choose, but th'
greatest heritage he WI leave t'
them and TO his community VIII o.
the life OF high IDEALS which he mas
lived in their midst. on account o.
mis- conservatism and wide acquaini
ance with business, gathered in Ire
tmo of close application, his judg
mont Is sought on the biggest pro
positions that come up for decision
For the reason that he is OF retir
ing nature and is extremely retcen
about anything that pertains to MN
self he has always shrunk from an!
publicity and very seldom is eve
induced to speak Of himself. and on
~ those who know him well can form
any idea Of his grasp OF public aues
lions or know OF his work In char
table way. or can perceive OF his In
tense interest in his home city an
IN the welfare Of It's people.
He has now attained that degre
Of success that justifies him In re
leasing himself from the actual wor
OF conduct ng great banking IN
intuition and hc will devote more Q
his ,lme to the public welfare. He
man who would gladly be follow
ea ly every business man OF the CIT,
and no olher person Is quite so we
toalopcd 20 aid Ardmore In CROWN
into city the equal In Importance
sry other city IN oklahoma.
in every achievement. In every UT
.llng he has been inspired b
Anderson who has lived a III
votlon to her husband. chndre