History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 115
away. Mrs. Wood died April 9, 1913, leaving three children:
Charles H.; Lily May, the wife of Fred Tilton of Ogle county;
and Fred B.
Mr. Wood is connected fraternally with the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and is a member of the Grand Army Post. He
gives his political allegiance to the republican party and served
for sLx years as trustee of Ashton township. In matters of citi-
zenship he is at all times progressive and public-spirited, being as
loyal to his country in times of peace as he was on the southern battle
fields during the Civil war.
CITY NATIONAL BANK.
The City National Bank of Dixon is the outgrowth of the first
bank of Lee county. It was established in Dixon in 1854 by the
firm of Robertson, Eastman & Company as a private bank. In
time changes in the partnership led to the adoption of the firm
style of Robertson, Eells & Company and since that time the name
of Eells has figured in connection with the successful management
and control of the institution. In 1865 a reorganization
was effected under the named of the Lee County National Bank
and the capital stock was raised to one hundred thousand dollars.
Two decades later the name was changed to the City Na-
tional Bank, the capital stock remaining the same. In this reorganization
Joseph Crawford became the president with Samuel
C. Eells as the cashier. Subsequent changes led to Mr. Eells becoming
president, in which position he continued to the time of
his demise in September, 1913. The present officers are: W. C.
Durkes, president ; 0. J. Downing, vice president ; John L. Davies,
cashier, and C. E. Chandler, assistant cashier. The capital stock
remains at one himdred thousand dollars and the surplus is fifty
thousand dollars with undivided profits of thirty-five thousand
dollars. The bank had the first safety deposit boxes in Lee county
and has ever kept abreast with the advancement made in the
banking business. Three per cent interest is paid on savings ac-
counts which in this bank amoimt to one himdred and eighty-eight
thousand and seventy-one dollars and fifty-three cents, while the
individual deposits subject to check are six hundred and ten thousand
and two dollars and fifty cents. The bank occupies one of
the attractive business blocks of the city. It is a brick and stone