TJe1j PfelacbetqrfS Dedihiep1                           J3a[915 of LouisiIlle.




                                             G   EIl MERCHANTS' NATIONAL BANK OP LOUISVILLE was organized
                                                  as a national bank on July 5, 1874, succeeding the Merchants'
                                                  Bank of Kentucky, which had been operated by a charter from the
                                            State since September i, x86o. This State bank was organized by Mr.
                                            H. C. Caruth, an old merchant of this city who had previously been eII-
                                            gaged in the hardware jobbing trade. The list of stockholders obtained
                                            by bim embraced about 200 names, largely composed of the most active
                                            and prominent firms and individuals then engaged in business in Louis-
                                            ville. This from the outset gave the institution a distinctive character as
                         -                 a commercial bank, devoted to the interests of trade and manufactures.
                                            The impress thus made is still recognizable in the management.
                                                The originally subscribed capital stock was 5oo,00o; but before the
                                            subscription was fully paid, it was deemed advisable to reduce the capital,
                                            in view of the disturbed condition growing out of the 'War of the Rebell-
                                            ion. This was accordingly done by legislative authority. As might be
                                            supposed from the character of the stockholders, who became to a con-
                                            siderable extent its patrons, the bank entered upon a successful career,
                                            and for many vears was enabled to pay semi-annual dividends of six per
                                            cent., while accumulating a comfortable surplus. After the close of the
                                            war it was found necessary to increase the capital, the extent of the busi-
                                            ness requiring it. At the time of the bank's reorganization as a national
              J H. ULEoERsGaR3.             bank the capital stock was increased to the original amount of 500,000,
                                            at which it now stands.
    Soon after this step was taken, the policy was adopted of organizing a complete system of correspondence with in-
terior banks in this and contiguous States, with a view to identifying more thoroughly this city with the territory tribu-
tary to it in business. The list of correspondents has grown in numbers and importance, and has added much to the
business of the bank, as well as aided in bringing Louisville into closer contact with the territory from which the city
was seeking business. In connection with this, and growing out of the facilities which a large interior correspondence
afforded, a collection department was organized for the collection of business paper throughout the United States, and
to this department special attention has been paid, and a large patronage attracted.
    The bank has constantly kept up with all the activities of progress, but has retained its original character in adher-
alnce to a commercial business, avoiding speculative accounts and maintaining a sound and conservative management,
promotive of the different branches of the commercial and industrial interests of Louisville. Besides the capital of the
hank its resources have been increased by a surplus of i5o,ooo, and other undivided profits of 15,ooo or 20,000, which
enable it to carry a line of loans and discounts of about i,5oo,ooo upon an average deposit of a similar amount. The
bank occupies a favorable location as to the business centers of Louisville, at No. 506 WVest Mlain street.
    The first President of the original organization was Mr. H. C. Caruth. Its first Cashier was 'Mr. J. H. Lindenberger.
These gentlemen continued in office until July I, i88i, when Mr. Caruth resigned and Mr. Liudenberger was elected to
succeed him. At this time Mr. Wm. R. Johnson, who had filled the position of Assistant Cashier, was elected Cashier.
These officers remain unchanged. Mr. F. H. Johnson is now the Assistant Cashier. In the policy of the bank as to its
interior management the rule of promotion has uniformly prevailed, and from the Cashier down through the corps of
clerks, each officWal began service in the bank as messenger and collection clerk. This has constantly given the bank
a corps of well-trained employes. The Directors are J. H. Lindenberger, President; W. George Anderson, Vice-Pres-
ident; John MI Robinson. P. H. Tapp, George WV. Wicks, John J. Harbison, John C. Russell, and H. C. Caruth.
    Mr J.indenberger, the President, is considered one of the safest and wisest financiers of this city. He was born
in Baltimore. Maryland. Novenmber 13, 1824. He came to Kentucky in 1839, and a year thereafter took service as a
clerk in a wholesale (Irug business, to which he was admitted as a partner in 1846, being the junior partner in the firm of
Rupert. Litilenberger  Co. to 1853, then Lindenberger  Co. to ilS6, when he retired from mercantile business to become
Cashier of the Mlerchtants' Batik of Kentucky. MNr. Lindenberger brought to his new employment the reputation of hav-
ing been successful in mercantile affairs, besides a valuable experience and a practical and methodical system of man-
agement. a most desirable quality in a bank officer, and one not to be. acquired outside of a successful mercantile
career. One of the chief reasons for Mr. Lindenberger's early and continued success as Cashier and President of this
batik is to lbe found in his rapid insight into and quick decision upon all matters brought before him.  His mind
is commercial, financial, and legal. In short, it is a high order of the trained analytical mind. Mr. Lindenberger
has filled many offices of trust, requiring the greatest sagacity. Under two administrations he was a member of the
Directory of the Louisville  Nashville Railroad. He was one of the organizers of the Board of Trade; was a Director
and Vice-President of the Southern Mutual (now the Mutual) Life Insurance Company; helped organize the Fidelity
Trust and Safety Vault Company, of which he was Vice-President; was President of the Louisville Clearing House;
helped organize the great Southern Exposition of 1883, to which be rendered valuable service; and is now Treasurer of
the John N. Norton Memorial Infirmary. Of late years the growth of the business of his bank and his congeniality
with its work have prompted him to concentrate his time more upon the bank's interests. He has consequently with-
drawn himself, so far as he consistently could, from service in other engagements.



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