My Genealogy Hound

William Edward Holton. The growth and development of Posey county, particularly its commercial and industrial development, has been accomplished by and with the assistance of its financial institutions. In the conduct of the business of its banks opportunity has been given many men to exercise not only their financial talents, but to greatly assist in molding public opinion along constructive, productive and progressive lines. In this respect no man has been a more consistent supporter of and worker for those measures which have had for their object the growth of the commercial and industrial enterprises of the county than he whose name initiates this article. William Edward Holton, cashier of the Mt. Vernon National Bank and treasurer of the People’s Loan and Savings Association, was born in Stewartsville, Robb township, Posey county, on November 27, 1861, the son of the late William M. Holton, a prominent physician of the county, a personal review of whom precedes this article, and his wife, Caroline E. Cuyler. He acquired his education in the schools of his native county and was graduated from the New Harmony High School in 1881, a member of its first class, which had but two members, our subject and his step-sister (Miss Mollie Foetageot, now Mrs. John M. Hale, of Oklahoma City). From 1881 to 1883, he was engaged in teaching in Harmony and Bethel townships. In the last named year he initiated his banking career by entering the employ of the Mt. Vernon Banking Company in the capacity of individual book keeper. He was made assistant cashier in 1889 and elected cashier in 1898. Since the death of Charles A. Parke, its president, in 1900, he has been the controlling executive. The history of the Mt. Vernon Banking Company and of its successor, the Mt. Vernon National Bank, since his employment by the former institution, is the history of Mr. Holton’s identification with the banking life of Indiana. An article descriptive of this bank is included in the chapter on “Banks and Banking” to which the reader may consistently refer for supplemental information. He is known to the banking fraternity as a close student, not only of banking, but of commercial and industrial methods and conditions, and is considered one of the most able financiers of Southern Indiana. He was one of the organizers of the Germania Loan and Savings Association, incorporated in 1887, and served as treasurer until the business was voluntarily liquidated in 1907. He is treasurer of the People’s Loan and Savings Association, incorporated in December, 1905, and was one of its organizers. He has been a member and active supporter of the various commercial organizations of the city of Mt. Vernon. His efforts in assisting these organizations to attract manufacturing and commercial enterprises to locate in the city have been second to none; while his individual services along this line have been of inestimable value. Mr. Holton has always taken a keen interest in the questions of the day and has been actively identified with the political life of his county and State. He is a Republican. Political office has never appealed to him. He is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 277, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of Criterion Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Holton married on June 25, 1890, Miss Otillie E. Brinkman, the daughter of Henry Brinkman, pioneer manufacturer and merchant of Mt. Vernon, personal mention of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. They are the parents of one child, a daughter, Margaret Cuyler Holton, born August 18, 1899. The family have long been prominent in the social life of the county and the attractive home in Mt. Vernon is known for its gracious hospitality. Mrs. Holton is a member of the Episcopal church and active in the charitable and social work of that organization.