CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY
CENTRAL TRUST COMPANY
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The Central Trust Company organized on April 9, 1891 at Read's Hall, a building which later housed the Camden Daily Courier newspaper. After receiving its charter on May 8, the Central Trust commenced business on May 11, 1891. The bank was located at 324 Federal Street until April 1, 1892, and then at 323 Federal Street. The Central Trust Company bank building at 4th & Federal Streets was opened on October 31, 1900. The first president was Abraham Anderson, R.F. Bancroft the first vice-president, and Charles C. Pine the first treasurer. Thomas Nekervis was made secretary-treasurer on April 14, 1892. Montreville Shinn was made assistant Secretary-Treasurer on June 16, 1908, and C. Chester Craig was made trust officer on December 17, 1900. When the bank celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary, the officers were Dr. H.H. Grace M.D., President; John B. Clement, Second Vice-President, Secretary -Treasurer; Montreveille Shinn was made Assistant Secretary-Treasurer; and C. Chester Craig, trust officer. The board of directors consisted of Alpheus McCracken, Chairman of the Board; Casper T. Sharpless, A.J. Fullmer, Fithian S. Simmons, Jesse W. Starr III, W. Leonard Hurley, Killam Bennett, Eli Sharpless, Dr. H.H. Grace M.D., H.N. Munger, John B. Clement, Andrew B.F. Smith, Philip Wilson, and Richard C. Schwoerer. By 1919 Casper T. Sharpless had been raised to the position of Vice-President. George VanSciver and Frank J. Hineline had joined the Board of Directors, while Alpheus McCracken was no longer a member. Philip Wilson later became president of the Central Trust. He was the son of H.B. Wilson Sr., for whom the H.B. Wilson Elementary School is named, and the brother of Admiral Henry B. Wilson Jr., the namesake of the famous Admiral Wilson Boulevard. The Central Trust was quite successful during the first two decades of the 20th century, growing from a mere $50,000 in assets in January of 1901 to $2,500,000 by 1916. The Central Trust had over 10,000 depositors in the spring of 1916. The Camden Board of Trade Journal published a list of then-deceased leading citizens of Camden, who had played a role in the affairs of the Central Trust. The list included Abraham Anderson, Charles Helm, David D. Helm, William C. Kean, Richard F. Smith, Charles H. Knowlton, George A. Munger, Frank H. Burdsall, Carlton M. Williams, Thomas S. Nekervis, R.F. Bancroft, Charles Bosch, George G. Felton, Conrad Schwoerer, Thomas I. Gifford, Mahlon F. Ivins Sr., D.G. Langedorf, and Charles Watson. Other principals through the years at the Central Trust included Volney G. Bennett. |
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Philadelphia Inquirer - December 19, 1896 |
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| Mahlon F. Ivins Sr. - Central Trust Company |
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Philadelphia Inquirer - January 31, 1904 |
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E,G,C.
Bleakly - New York
Shipbuilding Corporation William J. Bradley - Thomas J. Moore - John M. Kelley Central Trust Company |
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1906
Officers & Directors |
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A. McCRACKEN, President C. T. SHARPLESS, Vice-President T. S. NEKERVIS, Treasurer C. CHESTER CRAIG, Trust Officer WILLIAM C. JONES, Solicitor. ====== D I RECTORS ====== A. McCRACKEN |
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Philadelphia
Inquirer - August 13, 1906 |
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Alpheus McCracken -
W.
Leonard Hurley Central Trust Company |
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The Advertising 1908 Click on Image to Enlarge |
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The 1915 Click on Image to Enlarge |
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Bank Directory - March-December 1916 |
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Camden
City Directory Advertisement 1919 |
The
Central Trust Company was absorbed by the Camden Safe Deposit & Trust
Company in 1927. After the merger, the Central Trust building became the
home of the Equitable Beneficial Insurance Company, and remained as into the 21st
century.
