GRANT, William N. (1874-1957)

GRANT

Posted By: Ann Bowler (email)
Date: 10/29/2011 at 09:38:01

Indianola Tribune Tuesday April 9, 1957 Page 1.
Death Comes Sunday Noon to W. N. Grant
Funeral Will Be Wednesday At Parish Hall

William Neal "Billy" Grant
Billy Grant had his books examined by bank examiners for over 40 years and by state auditors for six years, and was never found short. Sunday, April 7, at 10 minutes before noon he was called before the final Chief Examiner still with no shortage.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday at 2 o’clock in the Methodist church school building.
For 39 years, from its founding in 1919, to his retirement in 1949, W. N. Grant was vice-president of the Peoples Trust and Savings bank of Indianola. He saw the bank grow from a small beginning in a small room near the post office to resources of 6 1/2 million.

Mr. Grant was born Dec 26, 1874 at Mendota, Ill., the son of George Walker and Lillie McPherson Grant. His boyhood was spent around New Virginia where he went through grade and high school. He later attended Capital City Commercial college in Des Moines.

He began his banking career as a clerk in the Citizens Bank of Carlisle. When the group controlling that bank opened a bank in Palmyra, W. N. Grant was selected to take charge of it as cashier.

While at the bank in Palmyra he became a candidate for county treasurer in 1914, and was elected three times, continuing in the treasurer;s office until 1919. He was not a candidate in 1918.

Shortly after Mr. Grant left the county office Jan. 1, 1919. William Buxton Jr. met him on the street and said: ‘Bill I’m going to open a bank and I want you to run it.’ That was the beginning of 30 years of mutual trust and confidence.

Sept. 21, 1909, Mr. Grant married Gertrude May Warnock, who survives him. To them were born two children, both surviving, Mrs. Martha Ruth Blann of Birmingham, Mich., and George W. Grant, superintendant of schools at Little Rock. There are also two grandchildren, Mary and James Blann.

Bill Grant never backed away from service to the community. He served many years on the official board of the Methodist church, of which he was a regular attendant and member. He gave 12 years of invaluable service to the Indianola school board, being especially helpful in paying off the indebtedness on the high school building. He served 20 years as treasurer of the Warren County Fair, and for a long time was treasurer of the Indianola Chamber of Commerce. He was one of the charter members of the Indianola Lions club of which he was a member 25 years.

He was the last survivor of the group which founded the Peoples Trust and Savings bank 38 years ago. When he resigned from active work in the bank eight years ago, his fellow officers and directors presented to him a gold watch ‘in recognition of his 30 years of service.’ His bank was the only one of five in Indianola to survive the depression of the 30’s. He was a Mason for 40 years also an Eastern Star.

Not a great while after Mr. Grant retired from the bank , he suffered a stroke, from which he never completely recovered ; but he never able to get about, enjoy his friends and his home. Last Friday evening he suffered another stroke and died about 36 hours later of cerebral hemorrhage.

George Grant arrived at his father’s bedside Friday night in time to be recognized, only a few minutes before the older man lapsed into unconsciousness. Mrs. Blann arrived with her husband by auto Saturday, planes being grounded because of weather.

W. N. Grant filled positions of responsibility, influence and trust in Warren county for a half century; yet he never lost the boyhood nickname of Billy. It was not a diminutive; it was because everybody loved him. It was an appelation of brotherhood.

His warm friendship, his dependability, his wise council will be missed my many of us for a long time.