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Father Formulates Sound Plans, Son Follows Footsteps |
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Since July 29, 1901 the foundation of the Citizens National bank has never been in danger. Its birth was brought about primarily to serve the community and not until the community's need had been satisfied were dividends paid. The founders of this institution saw a need for a country bank and that is just what it has remained for 38 years. The original directors of the bank were J.K. Brooks, J.A. Crawford, J.W. Gibbs, Geo. N. Gibbs, T.J. Penn and P.H. Holley. From this original directory members of the Crawford and Brooks families have assumed direct responsibility in the management of the bank. This relationship not only has proven beneficial from a financial standpoint but has built up a friendship that is not measured by dividends between these two families. J.K. Brooks was the first president and served in that capacity until his death in June, 1917. J.A. Crawford was the first vice-president and served until his death on June 12, 1919. These two men laid the corner stone in establishing the principles of conservative banking. No individuals could have carried these principles out more diligently than Geo. N. Gibbs who served as cashier from the bank's infancy until 1917. At that time he retired from active work but kept in close touch with the bank as a director and vice-president until his death on February 15, 1938. At the time Mr. Gibbs took charge as cashier in 1901 the directors gave him $75.00 per month to run the entire bank. Having had no experience whatsoever in keeping books Mr. Gibbs was forced to hire a bookkeeper and paid him out of his own pocket more than half of his own salary. The cash book was his first love among accounting books. After the customers had been served during the day often Mr. Gibbs would work far into the night balancing his work. Shortly after the establishment of the bank, N.M. Guynes came on the directory and served for a number of years. He was a member of the old school and coincided with the conservative principles of the directors. Mr. Guynes passed on to his children and grandchildren a love for the Citizens National Bank. Out of the Crawford family came another cashier and vice president. F.B. Fowler took over the active management of the bank on January 8, 1917. No man in Kaufman County enjoys a better reputation as a banker than Mr. Fowler. Seldom do you find a man who possesses the ability to say "no" often and keep the friendship of the community as has Mr. Fowler. The direct responsibility of the bank for the last 22 years has been upon the shoulders of Mr. Fowler. W.A. Brooks became a director of the bank in 1911 and succeeded his brother J.K. Brooks as president in 1917. His untiring efforts and sound banking knowledge continued to carry this institution along the same conservative route. It was during the deflation times that the customers of the bank realized what it meant to have a man who would stay with them though the going was rough. On several occasions Mr. W.A. Brooks offered to put up his own money equal to more than half the capital of the bank so that notes would not be charged off. He believed in the maker of these notes and did not want to see the statement of this institution impaired. At the death of W.A. Brooks, Jas. K. Brooks, his son, was elected president. His thought has been to follow the same conservative route laid out by those who served before him. From the Crawford family came two other bankers, Mr. J.W. Godfrey has served as assistant cashier since January 15, 1923. He has been a director since August 30, 1932. Mr. Godfrey's work requires a love for details and the ability to understand the public. His ability is overflowing with both of these requisites. J.R. Crawford, Jr. has been carrying the brick and mortar in the bookkeeping department since 1923. His affable disposition at all times assures customers of their welcome. John R. Crawford was assistant cashier of the bank for a period of thirteen years. He resigned to take up other work but on February 28, 1938 he was elected as a director. Mr. Crawford is serving as County Commissioner at this time and has charge of the expenditure of approximately $800,000.00 in good roads around Forney. Mrs. Myra Fowler, wife of cashier F.B. Fowler, was elected a director on January 9, 1934. She holds the record of never missing a meeting and also defying the old adage that women will talk. Since the retirement of the First National Bank of Crandall and the First
State Bank of Seagoville, the Citizens National Bank has served both the
Crandall and Seagoville communities. The policy of continually building
up a surplus placed this institution in a position to meet the larger
demands. |
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