My Genealogy Hound

R. T. McGREW, president of the First National Bank of Holdrege, Phelps county, is a native of Illinois and was born October 25, 1848. He was reared in Shelby county, Ill., whither his parents moved when he was small, and he received his education in the common schools of that county, finishing at Farmersburg Academy, at Farmersburg, Ind. He was brought up on a farm and his earlier years were spent in agricultural pursuits. He came to Nebraska in 1878, located at Hastings, Adams county, and went into the wind-mill, sewing machine and pump business, at which he continued till January, 1882. He then went to Phelps Center, Phelps county, Nebr., and organized the Farmers and Merchants Bank, which he conducted till July, 1884, organizing at that date the First National Bank of Holdrege, in which he placed the bulk of his funds and with which he has been prominently connected since. The First National Bank started with a capital of $50,000. A. L. Clark was the first president and R. T. McGrew first cashier. There have been several changes in the working force of the bank since its organization, but Mr. McGrew has been a heavy stock-holder in it at all times, and has been its president since the fall of 1887, and a member of its board of directors, and in whatever official capacity he has served he has had the practical management of the bank’s affairs. The capital has been increased to $60,000 and there has accumulated a surplus of $30,000. The following figures taken from the last published statement show the bank’s condition:
RESOURCES. LIABILITIES.
Loans... $138,703.15 Capital stock... $60,000.00
Over-drafts... 240.99 Surplus... 30,000
U.S. Bonds...15,000.00 Undivided pfts...3,278.21
Bkng. House 16,378.35 Circulation... 13,500.00
Prms. Paid... 2,013.90 Deposits... 80,488.82
Redpt. Fund... 675.00 Re-discounts... 17,659.10
Cash & sght.. 30,883.59 $204,926.13
$204,926.13
The subject of this sketch is now president of the bank, P. O. Hedlund is vice-president and S. E. McNaul is cashier. The First National is one of the solid financial institutions of Phelps county, established upon a firm basis and recognized as doing a safe, conservative banking business. The prominence it has attained, as a business factor in the community where it is, has been the result of the untiring energy and splendid executive ability of its able chief executive. Mr. McGrew is a trained man of affairs, he has devoted himself strictly to business all his life, and knowing himself as not many men do, he has set the proper limits to his aspirations. He has grown along the line of his natural tastes and gifts, and has industriously used his talent. So living, his career has of necessity been one of success, and he has escaped many of the disappointments and heart-aches which come to those who strive for what is the unattainable for them in this life.

Mr. McGrew married in December, 1884, Miss Carrie L. Anderson, daughter of Olaf Anderson, of Chicago, Ill. He has a pleasant home and an amiable family.

In personal appearance Mr. McGrew is striking, in manner captivating, hearty and full of that indefinable force sometimes called magnetism, by which the stronger draw the weaker natures around them. His acquaintance wears well, his friendships are of the warmest nature.