14004. Bergen County Bank (Hackensack, NJ)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
November 13, 1880
Location
Hackensack, New Jersey (40.886, -74.043)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
22afe24f

Response Measures

Capital injected, Full suspension, Books examined

Other: Sheriff paid small depositors using funds cabled by W. Phelps; receiver later handled claims.

Description

1880 reports describe discovery of large embezzlement by the cashier (Berry), depositors gathering and heavy withdrawals, and the suspension/closure of the Bergen County Bank with a receiver mentioned. Article 2 (1928) corroborates that the bank and other Hackensack banks suspended in 1880 and did not resume. OCR errors in Article 1 corrected (e.g., 'embezzlement').

Events (3)

1. November 13, 1880 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
the receiver will bring out everything when he makes his report ... he thought depositors in the Bergen County Bank might get 50 cents on a dollar and depositors in the savings bank would possibly receive 75 cents on a dollar.
Source
newspapers
2. November 13, 1880 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Discovery of large embezzlement by the cashier (Berry) and missing securities/cash which triggered depositors to gather and withdraw funds.
Measures
None specified in article beyond counsel and public meetings; no rescue measures described (some prominent citizens counseled moderation).
Newspaper Excerpt
Depositors gathered in front of the bank yesterday morning and freely expressed their sentiments in regard to the embezzlement.
Source
newspapers
3. November 13, 1880 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Banks (including Bergen County Bank) suspended after discovery of embezzlement and resulting liquidity drain and mismanagement following a collapse in the local real estate boom (per later account).
Newspaper Excerpt
it seemed that every other person on the street was more or less interested in the suspension of the banks.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (2)

Article from New-York Tribune, November 13, 1880

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Article Text

cently in Wall Street," a balance after closing out one of Mr. Berry's stock speculations. July 15 the directors of the banks made an examination and found all the securities, and their removal from the vault was of course accomplished since that date. So far as Mr Johnson could state, about $60,000 in securities had been taken from the savings bank, and about the same amount from the county bank, although, he added, those figures were subject to correction. A TALK WITH THE PRESIDENT. President Ackerson said briefly that the discovery of the embezzlement came like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, for he had great confidence in Berry, and would have trusted him with all he was himself worth. When Mr. Terhune," he continued, "asked for those collaterais and they were missing, I replied. 'I always thought they were there when I went to the vault.' I saw Mr. Berry, and he told me all about it, but I am not at liberty to divulge the details of his statement. We know how he used the money, but the receiver will bring out everything when he makes his report, and 80 I do not feel at liberty to speak about it." David Terhune said that the collateral securities that were found missing from one of the packages amounted to $20,000 in bank and was stock, securing a note for $13,000. The examination that was at once instituted resulted in finding that most of the securities supposed to be ID the packages were missing. About $80,000 in securities had been taken from the savings bank and County Bank and about $50,000 in cash from the savings bank. The latter embezziement has been covered up by means of false entries, and it was possible that a similar fraud had been perpetrated upon the other bank. The amount given was more likely to be underestimated than exaggerated, as it was impossi de to determine at present the full extens of the embezzlement. No suspicion whatever Was attached to any one except Berry, and no sympathy whatever was felt for mm ID the community, as he had used the money, it appeared, to speculate for his own profit. He felt sorry for Mrs. Berry, however, who was a most est mable lady. He thought depositors in the Bergen County Bank might get 50 cents on a dollar and depositors in the savings bank would possibly receive 75 cents on a dollar. The banks had been managed with as much care as most financial institutions. Another dire or said that ne thought the loss of the banks would considerably exceed $150,000. It bad been supposed that the Bergen County Bank had $48,000 on deposit with His New-York correspondent, but it was discovered now that the amount was only $10,000, the deficiency being covered up by false entry. Among the hous S in this city that Berry transacted business WITH were Pomeroy, Cox & Smito, L. J. Van Buskirk & Co., Taylor Bros., and Anthony, Poor & Olypbant. Mr. Berry had used $30,000 or $40,000 in securities in Wall Street Monday. The savings bank contained $35,000 10 bonds of the Hackensack Improvement Commission, many of which were missing. Berry's bond as cashier was also taken. Depositors gathered in frontof the bank yesterday morning and freely expressed their sentiments in regard to the emoezziement. Promisent residents of the town mingled with them and counselled moderation. The opinion was unanimons tuat great efforts should be made to send the délaulter to State Prison. The losses of tue truck farmers are serious, and yesterday 11 seemed that every other person on the street was more or less interested in the suspension of the banks. Knots of people as sembled at many corners and eagerly discussed the situation. L. Kuizenknabe, proprietor of the National Hotel, said ne had lost $4,000- savings of years. He added that a meeting of the depositors would be held at his notel, Monday next, and that counsel would be employed to protect their claims. As a sign or mourning, tue American colors were hung at half-must over his notel. John O. Grode. a tooacconist. had $5,000 in the savings bank. Que man told a IRIBUNE reporter that be depos ted $25 in the savings bank ab 01 an hour before IT closed, and that the gentleman no took 11 look di no at the Clock before receiving it to see il the time to stop receiving deposits had arrived. Am other deposits in the County and sav. ings banks, the Rev. J. O. Rogers, of the First Methodist Episcopal Church bad recently deposited $3,500 to pay for property purceased by his cauguter the Weland Lodge of Oud Fellows trad deposited $1,300; John Ryan deposited $1,000 Monday Mrs. Vreeland. wao lost some money by tue recent failure of a Newark bank, had $500 on depost: a woman, who bad $1,000 111 the savings bank, cried bitterly in the street at her misrortune. for sue lost all the money she possessed ; and Isaac Berdan had deposited $1,000 Wednesday the Rev. J. T. De Baun fortunately drew out $2,300 Monday. A depositor who bad $1,000 on deposit in the savings bank says that De was grad that under the State laws the directors of the savings bank were personalty hable for the claims of the depositors, and he, for one, proposed to see that they did their whole duty in looking after the depositors' interests. He denounced the management of both institutions as extrem ly careless in not being able todetect frauds so extensive at an earlier date. He also criticises severely the reception of deposits by the savings bank a few hours be fore its suspension, and declared that II was an outrage to rob a poor man or his tha will


Article from The Record, September 25, 1928

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Article Text

Uncertain Beginning Of Bergen County Banking Develops Into Strength (Continued from under banks the belief that State banks would assurances safety not possible under ters granted to the private banks The appeal and under the Act of Jan. there was established series State banks all with the right of note issue. STIPULATION MADE. On Feb. 1818, the legislature granted charter the second Jersey bank stipulating that it should buy from the State the lot and building of the "Old Jersey Bank which had been seized for non-payment of taxes, thus bringing back to Bergen county banking facilities. This bank continued until 1826 and was forced to suspend as the result of three heavy runs Following the panic of 1817 which forced many banks to close their doors, New Jersey, as did other states, granted banking rights to corporations organized for manufacturing and purposes which gives us in December, 1823, at Hoboken. "The New Jersey Manufacturing and Banking Company." The Weehawk Banking company. charted in 1824, business on the shore of the Hudson above Hoboken and in 1825 was moved to Hackensack. its name changed the Washington Banking Company and its destinies placed the care of lawyer by the name of Robert Campbell, as president. IN MANSION HOUSE. This bank was first located in the southeast room of the present Mansion and later built for its use building to the east of the Mansion House, which building still standing and is known the Van Valen The bank became involved in 1833 and was forced to suspend. In 1824 charter was granted to the Franklin bank at Jersey City, which charter was repealed in 1843, and on March 1837, to the "Bergen Port Company, located in that part of the county now known as Bayonne. This company, however, never reached the point of organizing the bank and the banking privileges were repealed in 1843, and this was the last to which New Jersey granted to combine banking with other kinds of busiExcept for few amendments,the banking act of 1812 stood unchanged until 1850. During the period of 1810 to 1837 there was mad scramble throughout the country for new bank charters. The legislature of New York convened Jan. 1, 1834, and within three weeks, notice was published of intended applications for 102 new banks. These conditions led the New Jersey legislature on Jan. 21, 1834, to adopt concurrent resolution providing for the appointment of joint committee to ascertain "What further provisions of law are necessary to protect individuals and prtvate interests from frauds or failof banks." New Jersey, however, had been more conservative than the other states in the matter of issuing bank charters and even 80 had record between 1804 and 1833 of 25 per cent in failures as thirty-one banks had been chartered and eight had failed which led Governor Dickenson to say in his message of 1837: "We have too many banks and too much paper circulation.' NO BANKS IN REPORT. In the first report of New Jersey banks, showing their condition at the close of the year 1837, there does not appear the name of any bank located in Bergen county. In reviewing the bank question in his annual message to the legislature in October, 1841, Governor Penning ton said: "The banking system when confined to its legitimate objects. and in the hands of honest and prudent men, subserves the best interests of society. The project of affording security by restrictions upon charter has proved fallacious and experience has shown the personal responsibilities referred to constitute, after all, the surest source of seIn 1843 the report shows twentyfive banks in New Jersey as was the case in 1837. In 1855 the Bergen County bank was organized and located at Hack- TAYLOR MADE CASHIER. Samuel Taylor of Hachensack, at that time but seventeen years of age, was made cashier. He was later county clerk of Bergen county for several years. This bank was unfortunate in the selection of its period and in the stress of those stirting times was forced to close its doors in 1856. The Stock Security bank was organized at Hackensack in 1857 but no reference to its activities can be discovered other than its affairs were wound up in 1858. On Oct. 23, 1871, the First National Bank of Hackensack organized and commenced business with capital of $100,000 and under the management of the officers of this bank there was incorporated, on April 4, 1873, the Hackensack Savings bank. This bank located just south of the McCrory store. NEW BANK ESTABLISHED. On Jan. 2, 1872. the Bank of Bergen County Hackensack was established with a capital of $60,000, which increased in January. 1874, to $100,000 and the officers of this bank carried on the business of the Bergen County Savings bank which had been chartered in 1870 and.commenced business in 1872 The bank erected in 1874 bank Ing house on the site of the old Campbell Tavern. which had been associated with many Revolutionary activities and this building still stands the northwest corner of Main and Morris streets. In 1880, through mismanagement and the collapse of the real estate boom which had been in progress from 1875, all four Hackensack banks were forced to suspend busimess, causing suffering and hardship PHELPS CABLES FUNDS. It was at this time that William (Valter Phelps, who was ambassador to Germany, hearing of the difficulties of the depositors of the Bergen County bank, cabled funds to A. Pell, who was sheriff of the county with instructions to pay at once all depositors whose deposit was $50 or less, thus saving them the weary avait until their claim could be paid by the receiver. Bergen county, after the failure of the four Hackensack banks in 1880 again found itself without banking facilities. The business of the counin banking way was directed to Jersey City, Paterson and Newark and great inconvenience was experieneed by the business men of the of county Hackensack and for charter July and once again stored in THE This Anthony M. E. W William Fred Little Behrhof Albert Moore, David James David Howard Samuel Henry Van The bank of David and On July ed the title of The consolidated with the Trust With once more back Bergen began to and of bank administration was ushered The following year in Englewood met and 890 Citizens National of wood was chartered with capital THE RUTHERFORD NATIONAL For five years these two banks served Bergen its only banks until May. 1895. the Ruth. erford National bank was chartered capital of $50,000. now $200. In June 1899. Cornellus Doremus obtained charter for the First Na tional bank of capital of thus bringing the first time in the his. tory of Bergen county bank on its western border. During the nineties the subject of the Corporate fiduclary began to tract attention. and the usefulness of trust company to the residents of Bergen county was con. William M Johnson having grown up with the Village of and active county celved the idea of trust company to be located at Hackensack and after many conferences with the substantial citizens the petition was presented for charter for the Hackensack Trust company Some of the names on the petition Edward D. Easton. of Arcola: H. Bellis. of Oradell: David A. Pell, of Saddle River and William M. Johnson. John, M E. Clarendon, Edward E. Poor, John Phelps, George W. Johnson, E. E. Moore, John Dunlop. Samuel Taylor, James W. Gillies, Frank B. Poor, all of Hackenusack THE FIRST TRUST COMPANY. And so came into being Bergen county's first trust company, chartered in 1899 and commencing business on Dec. 23 of the same year Its first president. William M. Johnson, until his death recently. chairman of the board The original bank force was composed of: Frank B. Plympton. secretary and treasurer, now president: Charles H. Plenty, as teller. now first vice-president and secretary. and George W. Johnson, as bookkeeper who remained with the company as until 1910 The original capital $150,000. has been Increased to and the original surplus of $50,000 to The resources of the banking department have passed $15,000,000. and the trust department shows sources of more than $13,000,000. fully vindicating the judgment of the group which believed in 1899 that trust company could be made successful in Bergen county. ENGLEWOOD ORGANIZES. In the Palisades Trust & Guaranty company. of Englewood commenced business with capital of $100,000 now $300,000. the second trust company in the county. The year 1903. saw growth vicinity Hackensack that of the that to another which presidency of years of Hacken National under the and of under the Guaranty pany had operated an affiliated ples National NEW TEN-STORY Peoples of resources more passed and then Doremus had county now for the and obtained Ridgewood Trust capital In with the first cashier He ident CLOSTER ALSO STARTS. Closter citizens felt the need and Closter bank with now Fort attracting the attention 1907 of the First National bank capital of $25,000. now Edgewater in with capital of again comes the list the Northern New Jersey known Trust president of this Bank of the This the National system Trust company CARLSTADT NATIONAL birth capital present After 1907 for of National the Trust OTHER BANKS ARE is and Rutherford National bank Lyndhurst business of to 1919 along the Shore except find four established in towns located Bergenfield National tal June 1919 Dumont National bank present capital December Bogota National present present capital CAPITAL NECESSARY. National of of brings to Its The Citizens Bank & Trust Fred as retary of wood for charters again 1921 ADDITIONAL Trust capital capital National bank has system the Leonia bank The City HackenPark The $50,000 ADDITIONS YEARLY. Trust Fort Lee First capital Lyndhurst Trust Little Ferry National bank Garfield capital ONE BANK IN 1927. National First First hands National located in Hackand as and