Snapshot of History
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First Federal at 110 W. Madison in Mount Ayr.
I took this week’s picture on November 18, 2010. We continue our look at Mount Ayr’s banks, insurance and real estate firms.
On August 11, 1988, the law firm of Wilson & Christensen moved to 111 S. Fillmore. This business owned Ringgold County Abstract, which moved to 109 S. Fillmore at the same time.
A ribbon-cutting was held Feb. 1, 1990 for Vardaman Tax Service. Joyce Vardaman was located in the Wm. H. French Agency building at 100 S. Taylor. Also in 1990, an Open House was held at First State Bank on June 22 at 100 E. South Street.
The board of directors at that time were: A. B. Wissink, Vicki Wissink, Marion Price, Wm. Larson, Bernard Sobotka, and Mike Kemery. Diagonal and Shannon City still had branch offices.
In May 1991, First Federal Savings and Loan Association at 110 W. Madison was placed in receivership.
After being operated by another entity, First Federal was sold to First Federal Savings and Loan Association Bank of Creston.
The reorganized institution held a ribbon-cutting in April 1992 at the same address.
In 1992, Gene Poppe, president of Hawkeye Bank, began negotiations with First State Bank and in September 1992, a regulatory commission approved the purchase of First State Bank by Hawkeye Bank & Trust. Hawkeye took possession on October 1, 1992.
In the summer of 1994, Ringgold County Abstract moved to 108 E. Madison with Lesa Saville as manager.
This business had many locations and owners and I wasn’t able to secure all the information.
On March 22, 1996, Hawkeye Bank changed its name to Mercantile Bank.
In 1998, Tyler Insurance of Creston bought Bob Roe Insurance at 113 S. Fillmore and a ribbon-cutting was held April 23rd. Bob Roe would join W. B. Cunning Co. a year later.
On June 1, 1998, Citizens Bank opened at 100 E. South Street.
That autumn, the bank installed a new Automatic Teller Machine (ATM). Mercantile Bank became Firstar Bank in 2000. But, it wouldn’t be Firstar very long.
Ringgold County Farm Bureau moved to 205 W. South Street on June 30, 2000.
Firstar Bank became US Bank in April 2002. I have a few holes in my timeline. Maybe I can fill a couple of those next week.