South Texas Commercial NB, Houston, TX (Charter 10152)

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Postcard of the South Texas Commercial National Bank of Houston, Texas, ca1920s.
Postcard of the South Texas Commercial National Bank of Houston, Texas, ca1920s.  Courtesy of Heritage Auctions. www.ha.com

South Texas Commercial NB, Houston, TX (Chartered 1912 - Open past 1935)

Town History

Interior South Texas Commercial National Bank, Houston, Texas
Interior South Texas Commercial National Bank. Courtesy of Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries.
A 1950 advertisement for the South Texas National Bank of Houston.
A 1950 advertisement for the South Texas National Bank of Houston.[1]

Houston is the most populous city in Texas, fourth-most populous city in the United States, most populous city in the Southern United States, as well as the sixth-most populous in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 in 2020. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the seat of Harris County. The city of Houston was founded by land investors on August 30, 1836, at the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou (a point now known as Allen's Landing) and incorporated as a city on June 5, 1837. It is named after former General Sam Houston, who was president of the Republic of Texas and had won Texas's independence from Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto 25 miles east of Allen's Landing. After briefly serving as the capital of the Texas Republic in the late 1830s, Houston grew steadily into a regional trading center for the remainder of the 19th century.

Since the late 19th century Houston's economy has had a broad industrial base in energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and transportation. Leading in healthcare sectors and building oilfield equipment, Houston has the second-most Fortune 500 headquarters of any U.S. municipality within its city limits (after New York City). The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled.

Nicknamed the "Bayou City", "Space City", "H-Town", and "the 713", Houston has become a global city, with strengths in culture, medicine, and research.

Houston had 22 National Banks chartered during the Bank Note Era, and 21 of those banks issued National Bank Notes.

Bank History

On Saturday, January 20, 1912, announcement was made that the South Texas National Bank and the Commercial National Bank, both of Houston, would be consolidated probably in March upon completion of legal requirements. The new bank would have capital and resources larger than those of any banking institution in Texas and would be known as the South Texas Commercial National Bank of Houston, located in the present building of the South Texas National Bank. In order to accomplish the consolidation, the two existing banks would go into voluntary liquidation and the consolidated bank would immediately acquire substantially all their assets. The South Texas Commercial National Bank would be organized with paid-up capital of $1,000,000, a surplus of $500,000 and undivided profits of approximately $500,000, opening business with a working capital of about $2 million and total resources of about $15 million. Stockholders of both existing banks would have the privilege of subscribing for shares in the new bank equal to the number of shares held. The directors of the new bank, numbering 25, would consist of all of the directors of the two consolidating banks and would be as follows: James A. Baker, Conrad Bering, R. Lee Bluffer, Horace Bootle, C.H. Brynn, W.B. Chew, James D. Dawson, Charles Dillingham, E.K. Dillingham, John M. Dorrance, Thornwell Fay, Thomas J. Freeman, B.D. Harris, F.A. Hellman, O.T. Holi, R.S. Lovett, H.F. MacGregor, J.E. McAshan, C.H. Markham, J.V. Newhaus, Edwin B. Parker, S.C. Red, Daniel Ripley, Cleveland Sewall, J.J. Settegast, Jr. Officers would be Charles Dillingham, chairman of the board; W.B. Chew, president; B.D. Harris, active vice president and cashier; James A. Baker, John M. Dorrance, J.E. McAshan, Thornwell Fay, vice presidents; August de Zavala, P.J. Evershade, and Paul G. Taylor, assistant cashiers.[2]

On March 2, 1912, the Treasury Department issued the charter for the South Texas Commercial National Bank. The six-story building of the Commercial National Bank at the corner of Main Street and Franklin Avenue was transferred to the new institution for a consideration of $425,000. The property of the South Texas National Bank, fronting on Main Street between Congress and Franklin Avenues, was transferred for a consideration of $314,000.[3][4]

In February 1916, the officers were Jas. A. Baker, president; J.A. Pondrom, first vice president; Charles Dillingham, chairman of the board; Daniel Ripley, Jno. M. Dorrance, and F.A. Heitmann, vice presidents; P.J. Evershade, cashier; Paul G. Taylor and Geo. Ellis, Jr., assistant cashiers.[5]

In January 1918, the directors were James A. Baker, A.L. beaty, R. Lee Blaffer, Luke C. Bradley, Ennis Cargill, James D. Dawson, E.K. Dillingham, John M. Dorrance, P.J. Evershade, Thornwell Fay, F.A. Heitmann, H.F. MacGregor, S.M. McAshan, J.V. Neuhaus, Edwin B. Parker, J.A. Pondrom, F.C. Proctor, S.C. Red, Daniel Ripley, J.J. Settegast, Jr., and Cleveland Sewall. The officers were James A. Baker, president; S.M. McAshan, first vice president; Daniel Ripley, second vice president; John M. Dorrance, F.A. Heitmann, vice presidents; P.J. Evershade, cashier; Paul G. Taylor, George Ellis, Jr., assistant cashiers.[6]

In January 1920, the directors were Jas. A. Baker, A.L. Beaty, R. Lee Blaffer, Luke C. Bradley, Ennis Cargill, James D. Dawson, E.K. Dillingham, John M. Dorrance, P.J. Evershade, Thornwell Fay, F.A. Heltmann, J.W. Hoopes, H.F. MacGregor, S.M. McAshan, J.V. Neuhaus, Edwin B. Parker, J.A. Pondrom, F.C. Proctor, S.C. Red, Daniel Ripley, and Cleveland Sewall. The officers were Jas. A. Baker, president; Daniel Ripley, Jno. M. Dorrance, F.A. Heitmann, J.A. Pondrom, S.M. McAshan, J.W. Hoopes, vice presidents; P.J. Evershade, cashier; Geo. Ellis, Jr., R.H. Hanna, and John Dreaper, assistant cashiers.[7]

In January 1921, J.A. Pondrom tendered his resignation as first vice president and S.M. McAshan succeeded him. Mr. Pondrom relinquished his post to become president of the City National Bank of Dallas. He entered the Houston banking business as first vice president of the South Texas Commercial National Bank, succeeding Beverly D. Harris. Prior to coming to Houston, he had been the assistant cashier with the City National Bank of Dallas. From May 1914 to May 1915, Mr. Pondrom was president of the Texas Bankers' Association and for the past three years served as a member of the executive council of the national bank section of the American Bankers' Association. He was an active member of the Texas committee on organization of the Federal International Banking Company of New Orleans, capitalized in December for $7,000,000. Mr. Pondrom came to Houston from Texarkana, having held the position of vice president of the Texarkana National Bank for seven years. S.M. McAshan was first connected with the South Texas Commercial National Bank in 1898 and in 1907 resigned as assistant cashier to go to Waco. He resided there for six years and was vice president of the Citizens National Bank until 1914 when he returned to the South Texas Commercial National Bank. K.E. Womack of the firm of Sanders & Co. would succeed Mr. Pondrom as a director. E.P. Stallings, formerly chief clerk of the bank would be appointed as an assistant cashier in recognition of his meritorious service.[8]

On Friday night, February 10, 1922, the newly remodeled and enlarged banking house held its formal opening, welcoming hundreds of visitors. Handsome floral offerings from business concerns of Houston were place in the lobby and on desks of the directors and music of the orchestra gave an atmosphere of a grand social affair. The National City Co. of New York sent a floral gift for the opening. Souvenirs were presented to visitors; the ladies received a sewing set and the men pencils. The library with its mahogany and Italian marble fireplace, comfortable chairs and artistic draperies and rugs was admired greatly by all. The ladies' department of the bank was said to be one of the most elaborate of the South. The officers and directors of the bank included James A. Baker, president; S.M. McAshan, vice president; E.F. Gossett, vice president and cashier; William S. Patton, P.J. Evershade, John M. Dorrance, F.A. Heitmann, vice presidents; George Ellis, Jr., R.H. Hanna, and John Dreaper, assistant cashiers. The directors were James A. Baker, Amos L. Beatty, James A. Baker, Jr., R.L. Blaffer, Luke C. Bradley, Ennis Cargill, James D. Dawson, E.K. Dillingham, John M. Dorrance, P.J. Evershade, Thornwell Fay, E.F. Gossett, F.A. heitmann, H.F. Macgregor, S.M. McAshan, J.V. Newhaus, Edwin B. Parker, William S. Patton, F.C. Proctor, John S. Radford, Jr., Ben W. Ralson, Dr. S.C. red, Mrs. Daniel Ripley, W.R. Scott, Cleveland Sewall, and K.E. Womack.[9]

In January 1925, the directors were Jas. A. Baker, Jas. A. Baker, Jr., R. Lee Blaffer, Luke C. Bradley, Ennis Cargill, W.B. Chew, E.K. Dillingham, John M. Dorrance, P.J. Evershade, Thornwell Fay, Herbert Godman, H.F. Gossell, M.M. Graves, F.A. Heltmann, S.M. McAshan, J.V. Newhaus, Edwin B. Parker, William S. Patton, John S. Radford, Jr., S.C. Red, Mrs. Daniel Ripley, W.R. Scott, C. Ed Settegast, Cleveland Sewall, H.C. Weiss, and K.E. Womack. There was only one change in the personnel of the directors. M.M. Graves was elected in the place of N.W. Rulston. The officers were Jas. A. Baker, president; S.M. McAshan, E.F. Gossett, P.J. Evershade, John M. Dorrance, and F.A. Heitmann, vice presidents; Wm. S. Patton, vice president and trust officer, Geo. Ellis Jr., and R.H. Hanna, assistant vice presidents; John Dreaper, assistant vice president and assistant trust officer; E.P. Stallings, and Ben W. Ralston, assistant cashier.[10]

In January 1942, John Frank Austin, Jr., former cashier of the Frankston State Bank was named cashier of the South Texas Commercial National Bank of Houston. Austin, who would assume duties about February 1st, had been with the Federal Reserve Bank at Dallas for two years and prior to that time was with the Texas Banking Commission as an examiner.[11]

On Thursday night, October 22, 1942, R.L. Blaffer, 66, of Houston, who retired last year as chairman of the board of Humble Oil and Refining Company, died of a heart attack on a downtown street in Toronto, Canada. One of the organizers of the Humble Company and with a background in the oil industry dating to the opening of the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1902, Blaffer was a frequent visitor to Wichita Falls in his executive capacity. Blaffer was chairman of the South Texas Commercial National Bank, a trustee of Rice Institute, director of Reed Roller Bit Company and a trustee of Kinkaid School.[12]

Funeral services for Sam R. Lawder, Houston and Dallas banker for 31 years and retired president (1947) of the South Texas National Bank were held July 13, 1950, in Houston. Lawder was a native of Dallas and came to Houston in 1919 to become manager of the Federal Reserve Bank branch when it opened.[13]

Official Bank Title

1: South Texas Commercial National Bank of Houston, TX

Bank Note Types Issued

1902 Date Back $10 bank note with pen signatures of B.D. Harris, Cashier and W.B. Chew, President.
1902 Date Back $10 bank note with pen signatures of B.D. Harris, Cashier and W.B. Chew, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
1902 Plain Back $5 bank note with stamped signatures of P.J. Evershade, Cashier and J.A. Pondrom, Vice President.
1902 Plain Back $5 bank note with stamped signatures of P.J. Evershade, Cashier and J.A. Pondrom, Vice President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
1902 Plain Back $10 bank note with stamped signatures of E.F. Gossett, Cashier and P.J. Evershade, Vice President.
1902 Plain Back $10 bank note with stamped signatures of E.F. Gossett, Cashier and P.J. Evershade, Vice President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
1929 Type 1 $5 bank note with printed signatures of E.P. Stallings, Cashier and S.M. McAshan, President
1929 Type 1 $5 bank note with printed signatures of E.P. Stallings, Cashier and S.M. McAshan, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com

A total of $11,508,210 in National Bank Notes was issued by this bank between 1912 and 1935. This consisted of a total of 1,285,890 notes (1,042,848 large size and 243,042 small size notes).

This bank issued the following Types and Denominations of bank notes:

Series/Type Sheet/Denoms Serial#s Sheet Comments
1902 Date Back 4x5 1 - 56500
1902 Date Back 3x10-20 1 - 46000
1902 Plain Back 4x5 56501 - 151635
1902 Plain Back 3x10-20 46001 - 109077
1929 Type 1 6x5 1 - 22154
1929 Type 1 6x10 1 - 10737
1929 Type 1 6x20 1 - 4781
1929 Type 1 6x50 1 - 1873
1929 Type 1 6x100 1 - 962

Bank Presidents and Cashiers

Bank Presidents and Cashiers during the National Bank Note Era (1912 - 1935):

Presidents:

Cashiers:

Other Bank Note Signers

Wiki Links

Sources

  • Houston, TX, Wikipedia
  • Don C. Kelly, National Bank Notes, A Guide with Prices. 6th Edition (Oxford, OH: The Paper Money Institute, 2008).
  • Dean Oakes and John Hickman, Standard Catalog of National Bank Notes. 2nd Edition (Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1990).
  • Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935), https://spmc.org/bank-note-history-project
  1. ↑ The Hamlin Herald, Hamlin, TX, Fri., Jan. 20, 1950.
  2. ↑ The Galveston Daily News, Galveston, TX, Sun., Jan. 21, 1912.
  3. ↑ The Houston Post, Houston, TX, Sun., Mar. 3, 1912.
  4. ↑ The Houston Post, Houston, TX, Mon., Mar. 4, 1912.
  5. ↑ The Houston Post, Houston, TX, Wed., Feb. 16, 1916.
  6. ↑ The Houston Post, Houston, TX, Wed., Jan. 9, 1918.
  7. ↑ The Houston Post, Houston, TX, Fri., Jan. 9, 1920.
  8. ↑ The Houston Post, Houston, TX, Tue., Jan. 11, 1921.
  9. ↑ The Houston Post, Houston, TX, Sun., Feb. 12, 1922.
  10. ↑ The Galveston Daily News, Galveston, TX, Wed., Jan. 14, 1925.
  11. ↑ Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, TX, Fri., Jan. 16, 1942.
  12. ↑ Wichita Falls Times, Wichita Falls, TX, Fri., Oct. 23, 1942.
  13. ↑ Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, TX, Wed., July 12, 1950.
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