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278 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
measure of success until the death of Mr. Durbin, in 1863, after Avhich
the firm changed to Hubbard & Co., Lester S., Rollin B., Watson and
Langdon Hubbard becoming proprietors and OAvners. This firm did
a banking business for only a few months, Avhen, in January, 1864,
their business AVIIS merged in the Second National Bank, a further mention
of which will hereafter be made.
The Moss National Baiik was the junior, save one, of the banking
houses of Sandusky, but it Avas the direct outgrowth of the first national
bank established in the city, and among the first of the United States.
Augustus II. Moss came from Oneida County, NeAV York, to Sandusky
in the yewr 1837, and established a mercantile business on Water
Street. He AVIIS thus engaged until the 8th day of June, 1850, Avhen he
opened a banking business in the city, conducting it alone for three years.
On the 10th of June, 1853, Augustus II. Truman and Horace 0. Moss,
under the firm name of Moss Brothers, succeeded to the business. They
moved into the Moss Bank Building January 12, 1854. Under the careful
and successful management of this firm the bank AVIIS conducted for
a period of ten years, or until the passage of the National Banking Act
of Congress.
The firm had carefully noted the progress made by the advocates
of this act; they SIIAV the advantages of such a system, and being actuated
by motives of patriotism, and a desire to support the general- Government
in its endeavors to establish a uniform and safe banking, throughout
the country, therefore immediately upon Hie final passage of the hnv
an application for a bank charter AVIIS filed with the proper officers at
Washington; but, oAving to some defect in the certificate of authority,
or charter granted by the department, a delay AVIIS experienced in the
premises, so that Avhen the charter AVIIS granted it AVIIS numbered sixteen,
Avhereas, had the proceedings on the part of the Government been in
due and correct form the charter of the First National Bank of Sandusky
would haA'e been numbered "tAvo" in the stead of that it in fact
received, and Avould have been preceded in organization only by the
First National Bank of Washington.
The articles of association provided for the first board of directors
of the First National Bank as MIOAVS: Augustus II. Moss, William
S. Pierson, Homer GoodAvin, Wildman Mills, and Jay (Jsborn Moss.
The capital stock of the bank was $100,000, divided' hito 1,000 shares.
The first officers Avere as folloAvs: President, August II. Moss; vice
president, William S. Pierson; cashier, Horace O. Moss; assistant
cashier, Jay Osborn Moss. The bank AVIIS opened for the transaction
of business on the 1st day of July, 1863. Under the efficient management
of these men the affairs of the bank Avere conducted and continued in
successful operation for the term of tAventy years; and that period of
its existence Avas perhaps remarkable for the fcAvness of radical changes,
both in its directorate and immediate officers. Augustus II. Moss
remained president and Horace O. Moss cashier throughout the life of
the charter. William S. Pierson continued vice president until the
time of his death, Avhen Jay O. Moss succeeded to the position.