SANFORD, W. A. - 1914

SANFORD, ACKLEY, FULTON, BURROUGHS, SCRIBNER, SULLIVAN, TIEL

Posted By: VOLUNTEER
Date: 6/26/2009 at 17:05:11

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914

W. A. SANFORD.

Prominent among the energetic, farsighted and successful business men of Cherokee is W. A. Sanford, president of the First National Bank, with which institution he has been continuously connected since 1876, working his way upward steadily step by step, until he is today accounted one of the foremost financiers in his section of the state. Although a native of New York, almost his entire life has been passed in Iowa, as he was but six years of age when brought to this state by his parents. He was born in Norwich, New York, in 1854, a son of Walter P. and Sarah A. (Ackley) Sanford, both of whom were natives of the Empire state, where they continued to reside until 1860, when they removed to Decorah, Iowa. Both he and his wife continued residents of Decorah until called to their final rest.

Mr. Sanford was educated in the public schools of Decorah and later entered Valders Business College, taking a thorough course in bookkeeping, mathematics and other work preparatory for a business career. He had no difficulty in recognizing the work for which his training and natural efficiency fitted him, and he accepted with eagerness the first position which was offered him. This position was with a bank at Cresco. Mr. Sanford did not suffer the discouraging experience that comes to many young men, of being the square peg fitted in the round hole. From the first his qualifications and desires led him to seek the office and bank work in which he has been.so successful. He continued with this bank at Cresco until Mr. Fred Fulton, who had come to Cherokee in 1872, urged him to accept a position with Scribner, Burroughs & Company, a private banking firm, which succeeded Fulton & Scribner, who had established a bank in 1872. Mr. Fulton had known Mr. Sanford as a boy in Decorah, and at his recommendation the position of cashier in the Cherokee bank was offered him.

He accepted the position and came to Cherokee in 1876, a young man of twentyone seeking opportunity and eager to be an integrant part of the firm which had employed him. He came during the darkest, most discouraging period of Cherokee countys history. The grasshopper scourge had descended upon the land and business was depressed to the lowest ebb, but the courage and the persistence of a nature that never gives up tided him over the days of homesickness and doubt as to the future business prospects. From the first he became a factor in the business, bringing to it a personality to which is due in a large measure the success which has come to the bank and to Mr. Sanford.

In 1883, the bank was reorganized under national supervision, with N. T. Burroughs, president; W. A. Sanford, vice president; R. H. Scribner, cashier, and Cornelius Sullivan, assistant cashier. Mr. Sanford passed thirtyeight years with these congenial business associates who were also his stanch friends. An unusual circumstance in the history of the First National is the fact that from the organization of the National Bank until the summer of 1913 there was no change in the officers, and but one change in the board of directors. Death severed the close and pleasant business association of these four men by claiming Mr. Scribner in August, 1913.

In 1912 Mr. Sanford was made president of the institution, thus becoming in name what he had been in reality for many years, the manager and head officer of the bank. It may be said of the successful banker, that like the poet, he is born and not made. It has been said of Mr. Sanford that he is a natural banker. He has all the qualifications: conservatism, sympathy, affability, honesty, and a confidence reposed in him is never betrayed. With all of this, he is progressive, and he ranks today among the best known and most highly respected bankers of northwest Iowa. Under his able management, the little institution with its deposits of twenty thousand dollars, has developed into a million dollar bank. He has always been a leading spirit in community affairs; the history of the growth and development of Cherokee is in part the history of his life.

At the time the Illinois Central Railway contemplated building the north and south branches to Sioux Falls and Onawa, Mr. Sanford, realizing the advantages of added railroad facilities to his town, spent weeks and months in securing right of way. He was also an active factor in the building of the Opera House and the electric light plant, and with a small group of progressive citizens, made these improvements possible for his city. He is likewise responsible for the armory and through his interest others were induced to go into this enterprise, thus building a fine drill room for Company M. At the time the splendid State Hospital, that we now point to with pride, was to be located, Mr. Sanford was a member of the lobby committee who visited Des Moines, and used his influence and interest in helping to secure the great institution for Cherokee.

At the present time, Mr. Sanford is an officer and director in several companies and corporations other than his banking interests. He is as well a director in the Washta State Bank and the First National Bank of Primghar. He is a public spirited man and has been identified with all the activities of worth in Cherokee county throughout the years of his residence here. Success in his case is the outcome of close application, indefatigable industry, sound judgment and experience, rather than a combination of fortunate circumstances or a trick of fate.

In 1889, Mr. Sanford was united in marriage to Maude E. Tiel, only daughter of H. W. and Adeline A. Tiel, who were pioneer citizens of Cherokee, where Mr. Tiel was for many years a successful business man. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford have one son, Tiel P., who is now sixteen years of age. The family are members of the Unitarian church, and the political faith of Mr. Sanford is that of the democratic party.