*** Source: Thompson, Robert A., Historical and descriptive sketch of Sonoma County, California. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co., 1877, 122 pgs. Notice: This data is donated to the Public Domain by TAG, 2004, and may be copied freely by anyone to anywhere. *** ---page 77--- SANTA ROSA BANK. To E. T. Farmer is due the credit of establishing the first bank in the city of Santa Rosa. When others had not confidence enough to invest, he guaranteed them an interest on their capital, and launched the enterprise, certain of the future of Santa Rosa as a business centre, though at the time the population numbered not more than one thousand. The bank was incorporated on the 11th of August, 1870, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. E. T. Farmer was elected the first president, and C. G. Ames the first cashier--both have held their respective offices ever since. The first office of the bank was in the store of E. T. Farmer, on Third street. The building now occupied, on Exchange street, was put up in 1872, and marked a new era in the progress of Santa Rosa. In 1873 the capital stock was increased to three hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Farmer, the president of the bank, has done a great deal towards developing the resources of Santa Rosa and the surrounding country. Mr. Ames, the cashier, is an old resident of the county, who has long maintained a reputation for business capacity and integrity. The directors are E. T. Farmer, C. G. Ames, Thomas Hopper, David Burris, J. S. Taylor, Captain W. E. Cocke and E. H. Barnes. SAVINGS BANK OF SANTA ROSA was organized in 1873, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. A. P. Overton was elected first president. F. G. Hahman was appointed by the board of directors the first cashier--both hold their respective offices, and have held them continuously since the organization of the bank. The bank was first opened in Hood's building, on Main street. In 1874 the new and hand- some quarters now occupied, on Exchange street, was built at the cost of four- teen thousand dollars. A special meeting is soon to be held for the purpose of increasing the capital stock of the bank. The savings bank has been a success from its organization. The president, A. P. Overton, is a successful business man of sound judgment. The cashier, F. G. Hahman, has been identified with the town from the day the first step was taken in its location down to the present time, and has always maintained the reputation of an energetic and trustworthy business man. The directors are A. P. Overton, Henry Wise, E. Latapie, A. Runyon, M. Doyle, Daniel Brown, W. S. M. Wright. PACIFIC METHODIST COLLEGE. In the year 1859 the Pacific Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South inaugurated measures looking to the early organization of a college. Trustees were appointed, and Rev. J. C. Stewart was elected agent. The citizens of Vacaville and vicinity proposed to furnish buildings and grounds, and turn the same over to the trustees free of debt. The offer was accepted, and a meeting of the board of trustees was held in February, 1861, when the following persons were elected to positions in the college, namely: Rev J. C. Stewart, president pro tem., and C. S. Smyth, professor of mathe- matics. A short time after this O. H. O'Neill was employed as temporary professor of languages. *** end ***