The first bank of Dallas Center was established in 1875, by O. Mosher and W. D. Kridler.  They had little money between them and small experience but were young and had no end of confidence, courage and energy to tackle the job.  With brooms, mops, scrub brushes and paint, they transformed a butcher shop into a business place for banking.  This was the institution which later became the original Brenton Bank.

          In 1881, the first Brenton Bank was organized in Dallas Center by William H. Brenton, a local farmer.  In 1888, his two sons, Charles R. and Clyde E. joined him in the banking business.  From 1891 to 1897, his daughter, Evan Brenton McColl was also associated with the bank.

          Upon the death of their father in 1893, Charles and Clyde formed a team of Brenton Brothers.  After 30 years in the bank at Dallas Center, Clyde Brenton became a senior officer of a Des Moines bank in 1918.  Charles continued in the local bank and was joined by his son W. Harold Brenton in 1920.  Harold's three sons, William H., C. Robert and Junius Clyde have since all grown into the banking business.

          A bank holding company, known at Brenton Banks, Inc., was formed in 1948, by the Brenton family and their banking associates.  Principal assets of the company consist of ownership of stock in each of the 14 affiliated banks, which now serve 31 locations in the State of Iowa.  William H. Brenton is president of the Brenton Banks, Inc., C. Robert Brenton is vice-president and treasurer, Junius Clyde Brenton vice-president and cashier of the First National Bank of Davenport, Ia.

          W. Harold Brenton, born February 27, 1899, died of a heart attack September 30, 1968, at the age of 69. He was serving as chairman of the board of Brenton Banks, Inc.  Besides his wife, Etta and the three sons mentioned above, he is survived by four daughters, Mary Elizabeth Brandt, Carolyn O'Brien, Jane Eddy and Juliette Petty and 20 grandchildren.  The sudden passing of Harold Brenton will be felt not only by his family but by the entire Dallas Center community of which he was a vital part.

          The Citizens Savings Bank of Dallas Center was organized March 28, 1905.  Officers included William Lackie, president; G. W. Hammond, vice-president; H. M. Whinery, cashier and S. E. Emmert, assistant cashier.

          This bank served the town and community well for 27 years.  It served through the post war deflation of the 1920's and into the depression of the 1930's.  It was this depression which forced the termination of the institution's activities as of January, 1932.  The officers at that time were L. L. Mortimer, president; Levi Morgan, vice-president; W. H. Kent, cashier.  Board members included Scott Ellis, Fred G. Peitzman, Frank Sehman and W. H. Ellerman.

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IN MEMORY OF

Clyde, Charlie, and Harold Brenton