My Genealogy Hound

HALE, OSCAR CUTLER, Cashier of the State National Bank of Keokuk, was born in Wells River, Vt., July 26, 1816, and is the son of Charles Hale and Mary Ann Hale, nee Reed, the former of English, and the latter of Scotch Presbyterian stock; at an early age, he entered Kimball Union Academy, at Meriden, N. H., but, having a strong desire to engage in mercantile pursuits, he left at the age of 16 years and engaged as a clerk; he occupied this position for six years, when he formed a partnership and engaged in the manufacture of iron and steel goods, under the firm name of Holt and Hale. In 1840, he was elected Cashier of the Bank of Newbury, and, although but 24 years of age, accepted, and served for seventeen years. In 1844, he was appointed Aide-de-camp to Gov. Mattocks, of Vermont, with the rank of Colonel, and served during his term. In 1858, he removed to Keokuk, Iowa, and organized the banking-house of Rix, Hale & Co.; at the end of four years, he became Cashier of the Keokuk branch of the State Bank of Iowa, and, when this bank was converted into the State National Bank, in 1865, he was elected Cashier and still holds the position; he is also Director in various other corporations, besides being sole manager of the business of Rix, Hale & Co., employing a large capital in lands, stocks, loans and other investments; as a sagacious banker and business man he has few superiors in the West. Col. Hale was married on the 26th of June, 1844, to Miss Susan D. Rix, of Royalton, Vt.