FARMERS NATIONAL BANK

Under the headline “LITTLE TOWN OF MANOR TO HAVE NATIONAL BANK”, with a sub-headline of “ENTERPRISE OF THE BUSINESSMEN OF THAT THRIVING LITTLE PLACE EVIDENT IN THE NEW ORGANIZATION,” the following announcement appeared in the February 7, 1904 edition of The Austin Statesman newspaper:

“The comptroller has authorized J. W. Hoopes, J. L. Rich, J. B. Gibbs, Thomas B. Palfrey, and T. D. Iglehart, Jr., to organize the Farmers National bank of Manor, Texas,with a capital of $25, 000.” 

The original bank which opened in 1904 appears to have been located on the south side of Main (Parsons) Street. On July 25, 1904, the Houston Post newspaper carried this announcement;

This early photo shows a bank located between a drug store and the store of W. B. Rector. Writing on the bottom of the photo says; "Main St. Looking East. Manor Tex."

Very early in 1899, J. W. Bitting, a well-known and prosperous Manor merchant, purchased lots 1 thru 5 of block 31 in downtown Manor from Powel S. Banner. Real estate transaction records show only $1.00 paid for the property, but there could have been other considerations given. On February 16, 1907, Bitting then sold 3,220 square feet of that same land to Farmers National bank for the sum of $1000. This 28 x 115 feet portion of lots 1, 2 and 3, located at the southwest corner of block 31, was where the new bank building would be immediately erected. 

On June 28, 1907 The Austin Statesman newspaper contained the following one-line announcement: "The Farmers National bank is busy today moving into their new quarters."

Three years later, on July 6, 1910, the newspaper headline read:

MANOR PROUD OF ITS BANK

“The Farmers National bank has refurnished the building with a modern set of fixtures, marble base, brass railings, etc. While it may not be as large, it is as fine and beautiful as any bank in the state. Vice President L. L. Hudson deserves much credit for his excellent taste, which is thoroughly appreciated by all Manor people. 

Cashier, William G. Luedecke, who has been enjoying his honeymoon the past month, has returned.”

Four days later, another article appeared with a photograph of this building and  the caption underneath it, which read;

 “FARMERS NATIONAL BANK, MANOR”

“One of the successful and steady growing financial institutions in this part of the state is the Farmers’ National bank, which has a capital stock of $25,000. The history of this institution has been one of steady progress along the lines of wise, conservative and mature judgement and in point of resources, reliability and facilities afforded patrons, the bank can not be excelled by any other bank in the entire country to be found in a city the size of Manor. The officers and directors are men whose standing in the community is an evidence of the soundness of this splendid bank, as well as the progressive methods applied to all transactions.”

This cut-out of a map dated February, 1910 shows the one-story, brick, bank building at the southwest corner of Parsons and Burnett streets (block 31) in downtown Manor, where it still exists today.

This Manor bank received more praise when The Democrat Voice newspaper from Coleman, Texas, ran the following story on December 1, 1911:

“Texas received its share of the officers of the subsidiary organizations of the American Bankers’ Association, by the election of J.W. Hoopes of Austin, Texas, as the president for the ensuing year of the state secretaries section. Mr. Hoopes is at the head of the Farmers National Manor bank, one of the most prosperous and progressive financial institutions in South Texas.”

As the years passed, it appears the bank continued to serve the residents of Manor as a sound financial institution. The following clarification appeared in the June 8, 1926 edition of The Austin Statesman newspaper:

MANOR BANK NOT INVOLVED IN GRAND JURY PROBE, JUDGE SAYS

“The charge of Judge James B. Hamilton of the criminal district court to the present grand jury to investigate alleged irregularities in the operation of a Travis county bank, did not refer to the Farmers National Bank of Manor, Judge Hamilton told The Austin Statesman Tuesday morning. 

‘Either as district attorney or district judge, I have never received any report of any irregularity in the Manor bank. I should not wish to do this bank an injustice, and I make this statement to answer for the officials of the bank any inquiries which may be made by their friends as to the court’s charge to the grand jury.’

W. G. Luedecke of Manor, president of the Farmers National, and W. D. Bowman, director of the bank were in Austin Tuesday morning on business and confirmed Judge Hamilton’s statement by declaring that the condition of the Manor bank is unusually good, and prospects at present are fine for a prosperous year.”

However, only five months later, the Farmers National bank would cease to exist. An article in Austin Statesman newspaper dated January 31, 1927 contained the following statement:

“The Farmers National bank of Manor was closed on November 19, 1926 by order of 
the board of directors.”

A subsequent story on September 16, 1928 gave more information:

“The immediate cause of the bank’s failure was bad crop conditions in 1925 and 1926, the institution being largely dependent on the support of agriculturalists. The institution was about 20 years old and at one time had a surplus of $50,000…”

The article went on to say that the bank owed between $90,000 and $100,000 in debts at the time of its closing. The building and all remaining fixtures were sold to M.C. Parrish, who would soon open another bank at that same location.

During its almost 23 years in business, it appears that the Farmers National was a good place to work. In September, 1907, twenty-one year old “Willie” Luedecke is employed by the bank. An announcement in the newspaper of the day says that he “will be pleased to wait upon his friends from the assistant cashier’s window”. At this time he apparently has no official job title because N. K . Freeman is listed as the Assistant Cashier at the bank.

On October 3, 1907, N. K. Freeman leaves Farmers National bank for a new position as Cashier at a bank in Paige, Texas allowing William Luedecke to become the Assistant Cashier.

The Annual Report of the Comptroller of the Currency for 1911 lists W. G. Luedecke as the Cashier of the bank.

A February 21, 1915 announcement in The Austin Statesman newspaper shows W. G. Luedecke as Vice-President and Cashier.

The TEXAS BANKERS RECORD publication for May, 1916 reported that W. G. Luedecke has just been appointed to the position of bank president.

It was good while it lasted - unfortunately for Willie, or William, or W. G., the bank closed 10 years later.