Banks

[W. Gray]

From the Elk County Ledger (Howard City), April 21, 1877

The Elk County Bank is one of the institutions of Howard, now. Mr. A.F. Eby is the good looking gentleman who presides behind the counter; "If you don't see what you want, ask for it." Eby will very quickly tell you whether he has it or not; and will not be by any means backward in telling you whether or not you can have it.


This bank was located in the front portion of a large general store owned by McKey, Eby, and Momma, where Cookson's now is.

Eby was the cashier and George W. McKey was president. Three growing years later in 1880, they added more space.

This was the first bank in Howard and the second in Elk County. Elk Falls had the L.L. Turner Bank in 1874 but that bank moved in an ox-drawn covered wagon to Sedan in 1875 where it still operates as the First National Bank.

In 1886, the Elk County Bank became the Elk County State Bank.

In 1887, Eby, McKey, and Momma created a new partnership for a new bank.

Up the street, they built the new bank of stone calling it the Howard National Bank.

Around 1920, Foster Perkins and J.L. Rader created another Elk County State Bank. It did not last through the depression.

The First National Bank started in 1885 across the street from the present location.