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PICTURESQUE HAMPDEN

THE CHICOPEE NATIONAL BANK.

In 1836, twenty-two years after the establishment of the Springfield Bank, the second bank in Springfield, the Chicopee Bank, was started. It was organized. so say the records,"at the house of Jeremy Warriner, inn-holder," and George Bliss was chosen first president. The old building at the corner of Elm and Main streets was the scene of its first business activity and where its prosperity increased until improved quarters were required. The present block of pressed brick and brownstone was erected in 1889 on the old site, and the banking rooms combine conveniences for the customers, and for the business of the bank in its different departments. The building accommodates not only the bank, but several business offices and the Springfield Clearing House.

Reorganization under the National Bank Act took place in May, 1865, with a capital of $400,000, which is the present capital. There is a surplus now of $200,000.

The presidents have been, besides George Bliss, Samuel Raynolds elected in 1846: Philo F. Wilcox, 1850; James D. Brewer, 1865; Henry S. Lee, 1866; Henry Fuller, Jr., 1869, and Horace Smith, who now holds the office, in 1887. In 1890, the office of vice-president was created, Andrew J. McIntosh being elected, and the present incumbent, he being the senior member of the firm of McIntosh & Co. There have been only four cashiers; Henry Seymour, 1836; B. Frank Warner, Jr., 1841; Thomas Warner, Jr., 1856, and Arthur B. West, 1879. The directors of the bank are Horace Smith, Henry S. Lee, George L. Wright, Noyes W. Fisk, Varnum N. Taylor, Andrew J. McIntosh and Arthur B. West. Mr. Smith, the president, has spent the greater part of his life in the city, and until within a few years was associated with D. B. Wesson in the manufacture of fire-arms, the partnership dating from 1852.

PYNCHON NATIONAL BANK.

The Pynchon National Bank may be said to be, in a sense, mother to all the banks, for it has furnished more presidents and cashiers for the others than any. It was organized as a state bank in 1853 and chartered as a national bank in 1865. The capital, originally $150 000, was subsequently increased to $200,000. The present board of directors are as follows: Homer Foot, James T. Abbe, Lawson Sibley, H. C. Rowley, William H. Haile, E. P. Chapin and John S. Sanderson. George R. Bond is the present cashier. Elaborate improvements have been made on the front of the block the past season, and it is now one of the most sightly business edifices on the street. Edward P. Chapin, the present president of the bank, was born in that part of Springfield now called Chicopee, October 7, 1839. He has always lived and engaged in business in this city and has been very prominent in the social and commercial life of the region roundabout. He was appointed postmaster by President Arthur and held the office three years. In 1885 he was chosen a member and became chairman of the Board of Savings Bank Commissioners, holding the position until his election in 1892 as president of the bank. He is at present one of the finance committee of the Springfield Institution for savings, is prominent in the Masonic fraternity and has held the position of Grand Commander of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, also serving as Alderman of his native city.

CHAPIN NATIONAL BANK.

The Chapin National Bank had its foundation in 1872, as the Chapin Banking and Trust Company, with a capital of $500,000 and the original board of directors comprised some of the strongest and most influential names in the local business circles. The bank was changed from a state to a national institution in 1879, and Chester W. Chapin, who was the first president, was succeeded by James A. Rumrill and he in turn BY w. k. baker, in 1881. W. F. Callender, who went into the bank as teller in 1872, was chosen cashier in 1879, succeeding J. D. Safford.

That this bank has suffered no cessation in its prosperity is evidenced by the fact that it has to-day a handsome surplus and is now about to enter its enlarged, improved and beautiful banking-rooms at the corner of Main and Lyman streets, a representation of the remodeled block containing which shows on this page.

The present board of directors are: William K. Baker, Chester W. Chapin, James A. Rumrill, C. O. Russell, Edward S. Bradford, John Mulligan, William Whiting, Henry K Baker and W. F. Callender. William K. Baker, the president, was born at Stafford Springs, Conn., in 1817, and was connected with the Agawam Canal Company after coming to this state. In 1850 he came to Springfield and assisted the late Chester W. Chapin in his business affairs until the latter's death in 1883. Since then he has been engaged with various fiduciary trusts in addition to his bank duties.

CAPTIONS:
CHAPIN BANK BLOCK (REMODELED), SPRINGFIELD.
CHICOPEE BANK, SPRINGFIELD.
PYNCHON BANK, SPRINGFIELD.
(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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"Picturesque Hampden" was one of a series of "Picturesque" books describing the counties of Massachusetts. They were published by the Northampton, Massachusetts-based firm of Wade, Warner and Company beginning in 1890. "Picturesque Hampden" was published in 1892. The series featured some of the first published photographs by Clifton Johnson (1865-1940), who went on to have a rich career as an illustrator, author and photographer. "Picturesque Hampden" covered the entire county, although the bulk of its text described Springfield, Massachusetts, near the peak of its prosperity. Some of that city's factories and institutions survived into the 21st century, although most have not. For example, the Massachusetts Mutual Insurance Company, then forty-one years old, remains in Springfield. In 2001 it had $78 million in total assets and employed more than 9,000. In contrast, the Warwick Cycle Manufacturing Company had a much shorter life. Founded in 1898, it shifted from bicycles to automobiles in 1898. In 1901 it produced its first model, a single-cylinder runabout that sold for $850. It lasted only until 1905, when its founder, A.O. Very, decided to retire from business and close the company.

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