Frank Lloyd Wright

DWIGHT CENTENNIAL, 1854-1954
A GREAT PAST - A GREATER FUTURE
Published in 1954

Inside Front Cover:

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DWIGHT
DWIGHT, ILLINOIS

IN THE EARLY PART of the year 1905 Col. Frank L. Smith, an enterprising and successful townsman, became interested in the establishment of a National Bank in Dwight. He secured the services of Frank Lloyd Wright, the well-known architect, and arranged for the erection of a handsome stone building, including furniture and fixtures. Mr. Wright, now recognized as the dean of architects in this country and abroad, created a structure that stands as an example of lasting functional planning. The general structure of the building has never been changed since it was originally built, however interior changes were made in order to keep abreast with modern banking conditions and the growth of the institution. The stock was all purchased by local people and the bank started with a $50,000 capital and $5000 surplus. Col. Smith, the president, was the leading spirit in the institution. Other local people who were also interested in the establishment and contributed to the early success of the bank were John R. Oughton, President of the Leslie E. Keeley Company; Major Curtis J. Judd, Treasurer of the Leslie E. Keeley Company; Charles L. Romberger, also an officer of the Leslie E. Keeley Company and a practicing attorney; Joe Miller, a leading merchant and R. S. Ludington, who had just moved to Dwight and also an attorney. According to the records, the Comptroller of the Currency of the Treasury Department of the United States of America reserved the title of "The First National Rank of Dwight" on June 7, 1905 for the persons mentioned above. Shortly after the notice was received from the Comptroller of the Currency, the bank received its charter number, 8044 and was authorized to commence the business of banking as provided in Section fifty-one hundred and sixty-nine of the revised statutes of the United States. The bank has been operating under this charter since the date of organization. The first meeting of the stockholders was held on the 10th day of January, 1906 at which time directors were elected as follows: Frank L. Smith, Charles L. Romberger, Curtis J. Judd, R. S. Ludington and Joe Miller. Immediately following the election of the directors, they held a meeting for the purpose of electing their officers which were as follows: Frank L. Smith, President; Curtis J. Judd, Vice President; John R. Oughton, Vice President and John J. Doherty, Cashier. E. M. Hoffman, the first bookkeeper, is still employed by the bank and now holds the office of president.

PRESENT OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES
OFFICERS: E. M. Hoffman, President James H. Oughton, Jr., Vice President C. J. Ahern, Jr., Vice President Ralph F. Sodini, Cashier R. W. Dempster, Assistant Cashier
DIRECTORS: C. J. Ahern, Jr. E. M. Hoffman Clare R. Mc Namara Martin N. Nelson James H. Oughton, Jr. Richard C. Oughton
EMPLOYEES: Velda T. Erickson, Velda Paulsen, Beverly Weller, Regina Neville, Phyllis Pedersen

Excerpts from Page 24:

This page donated by Reeb Monument Works, Ray and Harry's Market, and llruee Reariek

In 1892...
Frank L. Smith announced himself as a candidate for Circuit Clerk.

1895...
On November 15, Charles Romberger and Frank L. Smith formed a partnership for Real Estate and Farm sales.

in 1896...
Frank L. Smith was a candidate for Circuit Clerk. This was the start of his career in politics. The next year he was appointed Colonel on Governor Tanner's staff.

Excerpts from Page 26:

This page donated by The Village of Dwight

...On June 7, 1905, the First National Bank of Dwight was organized by Col. Frank L. Smith, John R. Oughton, Major Curtis J. Judd, Charles L. Romberger, Joe Miller and R. S. Ludington. The stone building still standing and the furnishings and fixtures were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, well known architect.

On October 22, 1907 of that year the Detroit Tigers, American League Champions, going to their farm club at Springfield, stopped off here to play the Frank L. Smith team. On the Dwight team was Cutshaw, Reel, Smith, Donlin, Gleghorn, Higgins, Phillips, M. Brown, and R. Brown. The umpires were very much biased for Dwight, and Ty Cobb got a big kick out of putting a man out at first and having the umpires call him safe.

On Nov. 24th, 1913, the Dwight Country Club was organized with Col. Frank L. Smith as president.

On October 6, 1914 the Dwight Woman's Club came into being with Mrs. Frank L. Smith as President.

In 1918 Col. Smith was elected to the United States Congress to succeed the incumbent Congressman, the Hon. John H. Sterling, who was killed in an auto accident after having received the nomination.

Excerpts from Page 27:

This page donated by Wilder’s Appliance Service, Home Oil Co., and Illinois Valley

In this year (1926) also Col. Frank L. Smith was elected to the United States Senate, however, the next
year his seat was contested, and he was denied a seat.

In 1932 Col. Frank L. Smith became Republican National Committeeman from Illinois, and held this
position for four years.

On August 30, 1950, Col. Frank L. Smith died.

Excerpts from Page 50:

THE GREAT PAST TIME IN DWIGHT
Around 1900 the players were Charles McWilliams, F. L. Smith, Amos Orr, Robert Orr, Charles Durphey, Charles Thole, Ed. Reeb, James Van Emman, Clarence Rabe, Wm. Rabe, Bones Thompson, Frank Snyder, Everett Lewis, Tony Kern, Carl Reumiller, and Charles Reel.

The 1902 team was George Kern, James Burns, James Seabert, Manager, Frank L. Smith, Wm. Smith, Otto Mickelson, Deak Morgan, James Ketcham, Eddie Higgins, Ray Brown, and Mose Brown.

Soon after this (1907), Mr. Frank L. Smith was running for Lt. Gov. of Illinois, and the Dwight team, known as the "Frank L. Smith's" were gone about ten days playing every day in towns like Wenona, Lacon, Peoria, Bushnell, Morris, and elsewhere. Mr. Smith sponsored the team for many years, and the game between Morris and Dwight at the Mazon Fair was always a big attraction.

Excerpts from Page 51:

Pictured above are some of the early members of the local Frank L. Smith baseball team. Left to right, they are: Back row: fielder, Geo. Kern; 2nd base, James P. Burns; manager, James Seabert; Owner, Frank L. Smith; short stop, William Smith; pitcher, Otto Mickelson. Center row: catcher, Deak Morgan; 1st base, James Ketcham; pitcher and fielder, Eddie Higgins. Front row: fielder, Roy Brown; mascot, Kenneth Seabert; 3rd base, Mose Brown. The picture was taken about 1912.

Excerpts from Page 60:

THE DWIGHT COUNTRY CLUB
A charter was issued by the Department of State at Springfield, 111., through the Secretary of State Harry Woods on November 24, 1913 to the Dwight Country Club.

On the 26th of December 1913 an organization meeting was held at the I.O.O.F. hall and attended by the following persons ; Edward McWilliams, C. J. Ahern, Dr. F. M. Dondanville, S. Fred Cummings, F. J. Vickery, J. L. Van Eman, Rev. F. F. Farrington, Roy V. Seymour, Jos. A. Diefenbach, James E. Seabert, Frank L. Smith and John J. Doherty.

The acting chairman was appointed and Edward McWilliams was appointed and the following officers were elected: Frank L. Smith, President; Edward McWilliams, Vice President ; John J. Doherty, Secretary-Treasurer.

Charles D. McWilliams, Edward McWilliams, F. J. Vickery, C. J. Ahern, Frank L. Smith, Dr. James H. Oughton, R. A. McClelland and John J. Doherty were elected as a board of directors.

The following were charter members: (Page 61) John P. McWilliams, C. H. Thompson, W. G. Dustin, Edward McWilliams, Charles D. McWilliams, Frank L. Smith, C. J. Ahern, J. R. Oughton, Dr. F. M. Dondanville, F. J. Vickery, Dr. James H. Oughton, J. J. Doherty, James L. Van Eman, S. H. Sondergaard, E. H. Wey, R. A. McClelland and Roy V. Seymour.

Excerpts from Page 61:

DWIGHT WOMAN'S CLUB
The Dwight Woman's Club held its first meeting on October 6, 1914, in the home of Mrs. Frank L. Smith, who was the first President. The first year book names the following officers: Mrs. Frank L. Smith, President ; Mrs. C. L. Hamilton, First Vice President ; Mrs. T. E. Barry, Second Vice President; Miss Cora Adams, Recording Secretary ; Mrs. C. J. Ahern, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. C. W. Myers, Treasurer. The Directors: Mrs. C. H. Barr, Mrs. James Oughton, Mrs. J. W. Baker, Mrs. P. J. Reynolds, Mrs. Charles D. McWilliams.

Excerpts from Page 66:

MT. OLIVET CEMETERY
In 1915, a group of ladies organized the Mt. Olivet Cemetery Guild to help finance the necessary work to be done at the cemetery. Mrs. Elizabeth Salzer was elected as President of the Guild and served from April 15, 1915 to April 2, 1946, when she resigned. Mrs. Frank L. Smith was elected Treasurer and served from April 15, 1915 to April 2, 1930, when she resigned.

Page 75:

1854 - DWIGHT CENTENNIAL - 1954

THE HISTORY OF DWIGHT, with its narrative of events and tributes to those citizens who contributed their efforts to its making, would not be complete without a fitting tribute to Colonel Frank L. Smith.

Colonel Smith was born in Dwight on November 24, 1867, and passed away on August 30, 1950, having spent his entire life in Dwight.

At an early age he became a worker and was actively engaged in his life's work until almost the very moment that his long and fruitful life came to an end.

He was always a vital force and exerted a great and wholesome influence in this community in which he lived, in the state and in the nation. For over fifty years he was the outstanding leader in the community.

Colonel Smith not only led, but cooperated in the development of Dwight. He was just as eager to cooperate with someone else's plan for civic betterment as he was eager to push his own plans to a successful conclusion. The citizens of Dwight are still mindful of the achievements of Colonel Smith, in many of which they participated and in many of which they were the personal beneficiaries.

It is fitting that in the History of Dwight the efforts of Colonel Frank L. Smith should be given a place along with those pioneers and their successors who also devoted their best efforts to the betterment of our community.

FRANK L SMITH AGENCY
C. J. AHERN, JR. CLARE R. McNAMARA
Insurance •• Property Management •• Real Estate
FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING •• PHONE 8 •• DWIGHT, ILL.

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