CHARLES W. STEELE
Charles W. Steele was educated in the country school in
the vicinity of his father’s farm in Wayne county. In 1880 he
graduated from Simpson College and for a year after his
graduation attended law school at the same institution of
learning. Subsequently
he read law under Judge W. F. Howell, of Corydon, and
successfully passed the bar examination in 1882, immediately
engaging in practice. He
has since continuously followed his profession in Corydon and
since 1894 has been in partnership with Lewis Miles. In the course of
years the firm has built
up an extensive practice and Mr. Steele’s services are
in heavy demand. He
is alert of mind and the conclusions which he draws are
logical, while by his clear and precise diction he makes
himself easily understood before judge and jury. Whatever case he
takes in hand he gives his most careful attention and
consideration and it may be said to be proverbial that if one
entrusts his case with Mr. Steele a favorable ending may be
predicted if by points of law success may be assured.
In 1890 Mr. Steele was married to Emma W. Wright, a
daughter of Samuel Jaco and Elizabeth (France) Wright, of
Maryland. Mr.
Steele’s ability as lawyer was recognized when he was called
upon to serve as first county attorney of Wayne county. His active
connection with the law, however, does not by any means demand
all of his attention, for Mr. Steele has become widely
interested in the banking business in this city and at present
serves in the important office of president of the First
National Bank, which was organized n February, 1912, to
succeed the Citizens State Bank. This latter organization was founded in
1882 by C. W. Steele, C. Holliday, C. H. Lord, James
Alexander, W. S. Sproatt and others. The first capitalization was authorized
for sixty thousand dollars, but in 1894 the stock of the bank
was reduced to thirty thousand dollars, which in 1900 again
was increased to sixty thousand dollars fully paid up. The surplus was
added from year to year to the bank’s resources until the
capital and surplus on January 1, 1906, reached one hundred
thousand dollars. The
capital of the First National Bank, which took the place of
the Citizens State Bank, was seventy-five thousand dollars
fully paid up. The
Citizens State Bank erected its own building in 1890 and the
First National Bank has since occupied their quarters and
purchased the bank building.
C. W. Steele was the president of the Citizens State
Bank from its organization and now serves as the president of
the First National Bank with circumspection, guiding the
policies of the bank conservatively. In his long career as a banker he has
not only obtained prosperity for himself but has been
instrumental in contributing to the growth and development of
the city by extending credit at the right time to help
establish new industries, while by careful investment of the
banks resources he has gained the confidence of its
stockholders and depositors.
The fraternal relations of Mr. Steele are with the
Masonic order, in which organization he holds membership in
the blue lodge and the commandery. His work as lawyer and banker has been
of great benefit to the community in which he makes his home
and, while he has attained financial independence for himself,
he has also greatly contributed to the welfare and upbuilding
of his city and the surrounding country and its people.