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Linked withDaytoniI^^Kss

Fifty Years

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Ohe STORY OF AN INSTITUTIONFOUNDED ON

THE PRACTICE OF THRIFT

Fidelity Building AssociationDayton, Ohio.

Louis H.PoockFOUNDEf^

[• tFff Rli

I

nilsinimii

ifiii

1873

1923

rinsT or^^e iS73

"An institution

is but the

lengthened

shadow of

a man."

Hiibhard

I

IFTY years of continuous life in any branch Ofendeavor is more than an average record. Abusiness vSO years in operation is somewhat oia rarity, but when that business can point to a

record of continuous service to a community, when theservice is one which contributes directly to the growthand prosperity of the community, then it is a matterof moment to all who are residents of that city and itsenvirons.

The Fidelity Building Association cclebrates thismonth (March 27, 1923) its Fiftieth Anniversary—agolden jubilee in which twenty-five thousand peoplehave a vital interest, and in which'all Dayton is privileged to rejoice, as the growth of the city and its fanieas a citv of homes, is in no small measure due to thethrift ideas of the fathers who founded this institutiona half century ago.

In March 1873 a small band of men united in signing the charter of the cori)oration, which became indue time the Fidelity Building Association of Dayton.The names of the eleven citizens of Dayton whofounded and incorporated the association, are namesfamiliar in tiie Dayton of today. The list follows;

Louis H. Poock. John Schocii. C. G. Sputh,G. Eberhardt. Philip Leiiz, Carl Trcdtin. PeterLcnz. Philip Walz, Frederick Poock. Carl Pauli,Louis Rest, Wm. H. Smith, John Roder.

The names of the first elected directors of the Association were as follows:

Peter Lenz, Frederick Horn, Philip Walz, JohnSchocn, J. L. H. Frank, Louis H. Poock, PeterAman, Ernest Mueller, John Roder, EdwardM eisner. Gottlie)) Eberhardt, Louis Rost, FrederickPoock.

J

One w^ould not have much difficulty in cohnettingthe family names of the incorporators^ and directors of

March 1873, with similar family names in the DaytonDirectory of 1923—indeed the present list of officersand Board of Directors contains many direct descendants of the pioneers of thrift who founded this insti-tion.

The first President John SclioenThe first Vice President Peter AnianThe first Secretary Louis H. PoockThe first Treasurer Peter LenzThe first Attorney J. L. H. Frank

The Association held its early meetings on the tliirdfloor of an old building, still standing at the corner ofEagle and Richard streets. A picture of this buildingis shown on the second page, where also is shown aportrait of the real founder, Louis H. Poock, and aview of the present Fidelity Building.

At the close of the first year's business, while no"assets" could be listed, it was found that the totalreceipts for the twelve months had amounted to$20,196.34. The founders had a vision of what thriftwould accomplish, but it is a question whether theycould peer far enough into the future to realize thatone day's receipts in the year 1923 would representabout twice as much as they handled in the year whenthe Association was born.

In 1883, ten years after its inception, the office wasremoved to 527 Richard Street. At this address, Mr.Louis H. Poock had his residence, and an additionalroom was built, adjoining the parlor of his home, andextending to the sidewalk. This had been fitted up asan office, and it was at this stage in its career the Association began keeping the office open daily for thetransaction of business.

After four years in this location the Association hadaccumulated resources of $450,000.00 and it was believed by the Directors that a more central locationwould result in greater convenience to the patrons andincreased growth. The third home of the Association

3

mnjlimmn

Charles H.Meyero'/itcron

Robert AlbersHiSISTAMT SCC/tCTAHy

imniini[iji

W— H.KuhlmanPResiocf^r ficO/mcron

Fidelit-^ .Building '

HerbertC.Lande

frede rickWSclioer) itcntTAny

l^rl Karstaedt"i.CA-iOnLK

was then created through a removal to 430 East FifthStreet, to what was then known as the Wolf Building.The building had been previously occupicd by an institution known as the Dayton Savings Bank.

The move to tlie Wolf Building marked an epochin the Association history. The location was an advantageous one and the business showed steady gainsfrom the first day the office was openetl. For overtwenty-five years the Association remained at thislocation, growing in reputation and solidity everyday, until in 1918 with almost eleven tliousand peoplecarrying accounts, it could point to resources aggregating more than Six Million Dollars.

It was apparent to every one at this time that theAssociation was again outgrowing its (juarters, that thespace and arrangements were entirely inadequate forthe pro])er handling of the vast volume of businessbeing transacted, and plans were laid looking towardthe purchase of a lot upon which the Associationmight erect a home in keeping with its constantly increasing patronage.

There was some difficulty in securing a suitable andsatisfactory Icjcation. l)Ut o])portunity Ijcckoned whenthe sale of tiie familiar "Old Post Office" site was announced. The Association was fortunate in securingthis most central and convenient of locations and uponit was erected the Fidelity Building, a monument tothe founders of the Fidelity and an evidence of Dayton's progress.

These roomy and desirable off'ices were opened tothe public on February 22. 1919 and in the four briefyears, between that opening and the present GoldenJubilee celebration, the Fidelity has almost doubledits business. The vision of the Founders lias beenverified, and the ]>o\ver of combined thrift demonstrated in a truly remarkable manner, in the progressand development of the Fidelity—a progress linkedand interwo\'en with Dayton's own advancement.

John C.Gohno"ir crofi

\Oscar M.Fbock

Edward T. Hall

DirQctorsand

Jlttorne^sFidelityBuilding

Association

1923

Thomas H.FordASSiSTAr^T ATroriNEr

Carroll Spn

Roy G.Fitzeferal

AccountsWindow Xo. 5 is

the Mecca of the

thrifty. This i swhere the founda

tion of prosperity islaid, through theopening of the newaccount. Here come

the beginners in saving, the future home-owners ofDayton.

Whether it is to be a Pass Book Savings account,the issuing of a Certificate of Stock or a Certificateof Deposit, you may rest assured we will render youevery courtesy and all assistance in getting startedproperly.

Service here is not an empty promise, but a partof every transaction of the Association. The new account is welcomed whether the amount be one dollaror ten thousand, the fullest information given, andthe way made easy and pleasant for your f\iture calls.

Miss i\iary K. McConnell, whohas charge of this department, isthoroughly conversant with everyphase of our operating plans andwill cheerfully cooperate with youso that you will have a thoroughunderstanding of the Association's relations to its depositors.

Mary K.M?Connell

7$ecei

As you enter the lobbyyou will notethat the firstthree windows

o n your rightare "receiving"stations. Into these three windows flow the depositswhich have resulted in establishing the resources ofthe Fidelity.

Every minute of every day, during the specifiedhours, you will find people depositing here, creatingfunds for home-buying or for one of the many otherfeatures which add to future comfort.

Mr. Russell Tilton is the Receiving Teller and during busy periods, which are frequently in evidence,he is ably assisted' by Mr. William Koch, AssistantBookkeeper and Miss I-'reda Wollenhaupt. comptometer operator.

Here again the patrons of the Fidelity are certainto meet that courtesy and tactful service which arefeatures of our daily business relations with the public.

rr^'v'/vc Tci

, Vr> William Koch /-fRussell Tilton FredaWoUeniidupt /p

Edward PattersonreIL

TellersTlie moneys paid

out at windows 6,7 and 8, may be for

withdrawal of deposits or may be merely the cashingof checks for payrolls or some other form of accommodation to Fidelity patrons.

It may be the making- of change as a convenience tothe public, or there may be any one of a dozen reasonsfor its passing- from us to you.

Whatever the reason, the spirit of the transactionwill be the same. The pleasure of serving you will bein evidence, the cheerfulness of manner which goesso far in making things worth wdiile will be found here—and you must g<» away with the feeling that youhave been amongst friends.

Mr. Edward T^atterson is the Paying Teller and hasadded assistance when necessary from Mr. HenryWeismantel. Bookkeeper, and Mr. Calvin Johnson,Assistant Bookkeeper.

^^enry WeismantelCalvin Johnson

LoanDepart^kThis is one of

the Depart-

ments in Build

ing and Loan work wdiere a thorough knowledge ofone's job is required. Acquaintance with borrowersand the Association's clients, together with the knowledge of the legal requirements in negotiating loansand completion of real estate transfers are necessary, that the interest of patrons may be properlyserved. Patrons of the Association are assured that

all transactions of this, as well as that of any other

Department, are confidential matters. Competent and

efficient service is the policy in this Department.

Special emphasis is placed on the value of courteous

attention, be the transaction invoh-ed of great or little

importance.

The Loan Department is incharge of the .Assistant Secretary.Mr. Robert Albers, and Miss Anna

Kuhlman. \"isitors and patrons ofthe Association are invited to take

up their real estate and loan problems witli either of these officials

at any time.

gm™

E

I:

Annct U'lihhnan r\r

Mary Coplan

Wosit

QpartmentThere sliould be such

a thorough understanding of the need and convenience of Safe Deposit

Boxes, that it would be unnecessary to remind peopleof the importance to them of keeping valuable papersand objects safe from fire and theft. Yet, every dayyou read of robberies and losses which could not haveoccurred if the losers had rented a Safe Deposit Box.

It costs less than a penny a day to rent a box of fairsize. The prices vary with the size. The key is yours,strict privacy is yours while you examine the contents; you have access to it any hour between 8 A. M.and 4 P. M. on any business day, and as frequently asyou wish.

Miss Mary Coplan, the custodian of this department, willcheerfully cooperate with you atall times in seeing that full service is rendered you.

InformatidnI

Bureau atiBTelephone

At the left of the lobby entrance you will find theInformation Bureau, designed to conserve your timewhen you wish to locate a certain officer or department.

Miss Mary Hild, who is in charge, will speed upmatters for you with all needed information tendingto save your time and insure your being served by theproper person.

In connection with the Information Bureau, we extend to patrons the advantages of a free telephoneservice at all times. Avail yourself of these conveniences wheneA'er necessary.

Miss Ruth Willis, stenographer of the AuditingDepartment also renders service at this booth whenever the necessity for additional attention arises.

Mary Hild

''Serving the

public

contributes

to

growth.'^

Ruth Willis

IN MEMORIAM

't LouisH.Poock \ ^ )FrederickStcinbruegg

Chnstidn bchoGn George Deis (

ust Meyer

F.A.Requdrth A

ueffelman

Those who havegone before

On the opposite page we show a number of formerOfficials of the Fidelity Building Association whohax'e passed on to their reward. As a matter of recordwc are publishing their names and the positions heldl)y them at yarious times.

Louis H. Poock Secretary and DirectorJohn Schocn President and DirectorFrederick Steinbrue^jgc President and DirectorChristian Schocn Director and AppraiserGeorge Deis Director and AppraiserHenry Hucffclman President and DirectorF. A. Requarth DirectorAugust Meyer Director and AppraiserJohn M. Sprigg AttorneyHenry W. Meyer President and Director

Following is a list of other Directors wdio servedthe Association faithfully in the days gone by, andwho have also passed to the (ireat [^>eyond. Theirportraits were not available for reproduction here.

J. L. H. FrankPeter Lenz

Frederick Poock

C. G. SpnthGottheh ICbt-'rhardt

Pliilip LenzCarl Tredtin

Phihp WalzCarl Pauli

Louis Rost

August Poock

Wm. H. MeyerWni. H. Smith

John RoderFrederick Horn

Peter Anian

Ernest Mueller

Edward Meisner

Henry SeegerJohn DitzelFred. Heller

J. D. Johnson

nniMiiillllll

t'Tt:, .r.,.k1 - ii m. Ji a El,.- fll.T- k".i>"r- -iasETTEomCE. BOOK BINDE"^

.fjW- ""•• °^ *'*'

East Side Main Screer. {Third Street to Second) 1846.

.Same block ticenty year» later.

i'lorlh Sidu Third Street, .M'tin to Jajferson, I860.

uVV^'

Dnyfyn'a Jirst pnssenpor sinlion; North Enut Corner Sixthnnd Jejferxon Strrar%.

East end old Vnion Depot.

Third Sircrl bridge bniU I8.18, opened 1839.

W0.

OM Conovvr lUtilfUnf:, Third nndMain- nfur (liiv Itnnk

•'Ill'

yorih koxt Cornvr Tkirn andLudlow—now Naynes Hotel,

oDsaaoTH H»|

sWfranklin llousf. Snuih If rsl Cornvr ScronH iinil

Main nuK Mcaricli's.

.-1 'j^Ti^gfcfcr*»-V.

\orlh It'rsl Conmr Fourth anil Main in 1813. Sow Oelmait'i.

\tirih Ens! Cnrm-r Thiril nnit Jelleraon Sirerif 1880. A'cir Uerkfl lluililiiii:.

South It'psi Ciirnnr t'iflh iviil l.uilloii-, 10 >

Rike-Kumler's Store 1892, South If'cM CornerFourth and Main.

Dayton'» first four ftory brick. Scfond and Main. Noic Rikc')

Dcifi-r properly. jVorj/i Ewt Corner Fourth and LudlouiVoir Commcrrial liliililine.

Ludlaw Street, Third to Foarlh, shotcing old ThirdStreet Presbyterian Church.

Jfest .Side Main Strecl, Third lo Fifth, 1864.

Sorth Jfest Corner Fifth and Ludloio. Now Liberty Theatt^.

Old Po$t 0//ice at Fifth and Main.Now Fidelity Building.

Grimei Tavern built in 1808. Aftertcard Rdd's Inn.

Old Court Houie at it looked in 1864.

Birdseye view of Dayton in 1853.

Birdseye vietv of Dayton in 1923.

7TtiViir7:ri!ir.-iiff

The Fidelity''s Roster of TenantsNo story of the -Association would be complete without some

reference to the tenants of the building. Adjoininj? the mainentrance is another one familiar to thousands of Daytonians.and to many from other sections of the country, who come hereseeking relief from tlieir ills. To them this building is' knownas the Medical Bulldinpr. All these tenants and thousands ofvisitors to the building know Mr. M. F. McCleary, the genialsuperintendent.

W. E. Allaman, M.D.E. R. Am, M.IJ.J. R. .'\rtluir, n.D.S.R. C. Austin, M.D.R. S. Ritiklcy, M.D.L. G. Bowers, M.D.C. H'. nreideiibacli, M.D.W. C. Breidenbach, M.D.A. B. Brower, M.D.G. T. Brown, M.D.H. W. Burnett, M.D,D. R. Bussdicker. M.D.R. M, Cope, D.D.S,L, R. Coiirtricht, D.D.S.M, E. Coy. M.D.F. D. Crowl. M.D.J. E. Cushwa, D.D.S.F. E. Dano, D.D.S.L. J. Deger, D.D.S.W. H. Delscamp, M.D.T. H. Dickinson, M.D,A. H. Dunliam, M.D.H. V. Dutrow, M.D,J. C. Early, D.D.S.W. S. Early, D.D.S.W. A. Ewing, M.D,A. G. Farmer, M.D.E. C. Fischbein, M.D.T. D. Fouts, JI.D.•p. E. Gabel, D.D.S,G. G. Giffcn, M.D,N. D. Goodlnte, M.D.

T. L. GrepK, JI.D.P. L. Giinckel, M.D.r-I. B. Harris. M.D.I-I. H'. Herman, M.D.A. E, Hewitt, M.D.R. D. Hostctter, ^^.D.E. M. Huston. M.D,C. A. Ihle, M.D.H, S. Jewett, M.D.P. H. Kiliioume. M.D.F. K. KisliR, M.D.

T. Knodcrer, D.D.S..-\. F. Kuhl, M.D.H. S. Lambert, D.D.S.A. J. Lewis, D.D.S.A. L. Light, M.D.H. A. Lightner, D.D.S.A. W. McCaiiy, M.D.H. B. Millhoff, D.D.S.J. C. Moffett, R.P,M. E, Niswonper, D.D.S,T^. L. Oliver. D.D.S,F. C. Payne, M.D.James PappasR. C. Pennywitt. M.D,F. C. Rounds. M.D.H. J. Schiewetz. D.D.S.E. W. Shank, M.D.C. E. Shawen. M.D,.•\. F. Shepherd. M.D.F. L. Shively, M.D.L. E. Stiitsman, M.D.P. W. Tappan. JLD.T. C. Walker. Jf.D.H. L. Warner, D.D.S.T, H. Warner. D.D.S.B. C. We<;t, M.D.Dayton Bureau of Community

Service.

M.F.MSClearV

r IDELITYBuilding AssociationDAYTON, OHIO

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