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<br /> The First National Bank as it appeared in 1986
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<br /> William H. Houlton, founder of Houlton's Bank,
<br /> Zimmerman office of the First National Bank.Built and opened in 1978. predecessor of the First National Bank of Elk River.He was
<br /> also one of the first directors of the Bank of Elk River.
<br /> the staff had grown to nine and in 1986 included 60 full Ellingson,long-time employee,cashier and executive
<br /> and part-time employees.The bank also appointed its first vice-president,was president until his death in 1964.
<br /> women officers in the mid-1970s. He was succeeded in 1965 by a grandson of the
<br /> One thing has not changed since W. H.Houlton started founder,Kendall(Bud)Houlton,who had joined the
<br /> the bank's philosophy at its opening. "We shall endeavor staff in 1952,held that position until 1984.
<br /> to deal as liberally with customers as is compatible with ab- Stanley R. Wheaton, son of one of the first direc-
<br /> solute safety." tors, joined the staff in 1937 and after working his
<br /> Houlton was born in 1840 at Houlton, Maine, a town way through the ranks became cashier and later ex-
<br /> founded by his grandparents and named in their honor.As ecutive vice-president, a job he held until his semi-
<br /> a young boy he came to Minnesota with his father and set- retirement in the early 1980s.
<br /> tled on a farm near Monticello.he was a member of the 8th Richard Gongoll, who joined the bank in 1963, is
<br /> Regiment of Minnesota Volunteers and tools an active part currently president of First National Bank of Elk
<br /> in the Civil War. River.
<br /> Coming to Elk River in 1866 he entered into a partner- Officers at this writing were K. S. Houlton, chair-
<br /> ship with his brother, Horatio, and conducted a general man-, Richard Gongoll, president; Stanley R.
<br /> store. Later he was engaged in both flour and sawmilling. Wheaton, senior vice-president;Donald S.Ellingson,
<br /> The Houlton mill was one of the first roller mills in vice-president and auditor; Duane Kropuenske,
<br /> Minnesota. vice-president; Thomas J. McNair, vice-president;
<br /> He served as treasurer of Sherburne County from 1870 Gwen McGhan, cashier; Carol Johnson and Tom
<br /> to 1874 and was prominent as a member of the state senate Pieri, assistant vice-presidents; Jan Hidde-Hooker,
<br /> from 1879 to 1986. Mr. Houlton was one of the founders assistant cashier;Lona DeMars,manager of the Zim-
<br /> and charter members of the Union Congregational Church merman branch; and Patsy Kropuenske, manager of
<br /> in Elk River, now the Union Church, United Church of the mortgage division.
<br /> Christ. He was superintendent of the Minnesota State Directors were John H. Bailey, Richard Gongoll,
<br /> Reformatory at St. Cloud from 1986 to 1900. The history K. S. Houlton, Murray M. McNair, Richard L.
<br /> of the 8th Volunteer Regiment was written by him and Nelson, Jordan C. Odegard, John Plaisted and S. R.
<br /> published by the state in"The History of Minnesota in the Wheaton.
<br /> Civil and Indian Wars." (Parts of this article were excerpted from an article
<br /> The first directors of the bank were R. E. Dare, M. C. by Elaine Anderson in the Sherburne County Star
<br /> Blanchett, Andrew Davis, Charles S. Wheaton, George C. News of July 21, 1977,and an article in the Diamond
<br /> Hill, W. H. Houlton, and his son, Sam R. Houlton. Jubilee special Edition of the Sherburne County Star
<br /> Another son. Lewis K. Houlton, became president of the News of July 23, 1931)
<br /> bank when his father died in 1915 and held office until his
<br /> death in 1950. His brother Sam served as president until
<br /> his death in 1959 when Roland K. Wilson was elected by
<br /> the board and served a short time before his death. R. A.
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