First National Bank of Toledo - Ohio 1871

Beautifully engraved certificate from the First National Bank of Toledo issued in 1871. This historic document was printed by B.F. Corlies & Macy, Stationers, and has an ornate border around it with a vignette of two cowboys, one sitting on a horse and the other on a fence, along with other animals. This item is hand signed by the Company's President ( VALENTINE HICKS KETCHAM ) and Cashier and is over 133 years old.


Certificate Vignette



The following was written by CLARK WAGGONER from TOLEDO, OHIO in 1888:

VALENTINE HICKS KETCHAM was born in Cornwall, Orange County, New York, November 12, 1815. His father, Samuel Ketcham, a Farmer and Miller, was married with Miss Rachel Sands, at Cornwall. The son lived with his parents on the farm until 12 years of age, sharing such privileges as the Winter sessions of a District School supplied. In 1827 the family removed to New York City. Here the son remained for three years, attending School for a few months, but mainly employed as an apprentice to the carpenter's and ,joiner's trade. When 15 years old, from choice, he returned to the farm at Cornwall, working there for two years, and until his father returned from. New York. He then went back to the City to finish his trade; but here his entire course of life was suddenly changed.

A merchant of his acquaintance suggested to him the propriety of' his going into a store as a clerk, and secured for him such position with J. F. Cropsey, Dry Goods dealer, on Canal Street. Liking his new employment, he continued therein until July 17, 1836. At this time, he started on a vacation trip to the West, in company with a Mr. Lane. Landing from steamer at Detroit, they passed into the interior of Michigan, where Mr. Ketcham bought 80 acres of land of the Government in Oakland County. From Detroit, he made a visit to Toledo, and returned to New York. In August following he left that City with a general stock of merchandise and opened a store in Toledo, at the bead of Perry Street, on St. Clair, now the site of the Merchants' Hotel, renting the premises of Coleman I. Keeler, Jr. Win. H. Raymond, now of California, was employed as a clerk. In the Summer of 1837, the store was removed to Summit Street, adjoining the Indiana House, and near Perry Street. The next year it went to the corner of Summit and Lagrange Streets, taking a building then recently occupied by Dr. Jacob Clark and Philo Bennett, merchants. In 1841 Mr. Ketcham removed his store to 32 and 34 Summit Street, where a small wholesale trade was commenced. The Miami Canal, connecting Toledo with Cincinnati, opening in 1843, extended his trade materially. In 1846, Joseph K. Secor became associated with him in the business, the firm being Ketcham & Secor, which continued until 1851, when Mr. Ketcham withdrew and devoted his attention more fully to Banking, having in 1850, with John Poag, begun that business.

In 1853, John Berdan and S. S. Hubbard became associated with him, the firm being Ketcham, Berdan & Company, which continued in business until succeeded by the First National Bank of Toledo, in 1863, of which Mr. Ketcham, at the time of his death, had been the only President, covering a period of 24 years, during which time the exceptional success of that important financial institution was due largely to the conservative policy and watchful care of that gentleman ; and it now stands as a substantial monument to his memory. From an early period in his Toledo residence, Mr. Ketcham was more or less interested in real estate, having made purchases of the same soon after coming here.

These were attended with varying results, but generally turned out profitable. In the earlier years of his business, he was subjected to the financial reverses then so common, not in Toledo only, but throughout the West. Recovering from these, his course of success became exceptional, until he came to be recognized as among the most wealthy men of Northern Ohio. For such unusual success in the acquisition of property, he regarded himself' as chiefly indebted to the timely experience due to limited means and necessity for self-reliance, which marked his early years, whereby he became habituated to the practice of economy and care in the use of his income. While his capital came to be largely employed in banking and other financial uses, for many years previous to his death he invested liberally in the improvement of real estate.

Among the buildings constructed by hint are the following: The block of three four story Stores, 28-36 Summit Street; two Stores, 63-65 Summit; two Stores, corner of Summit and Jefferson Streets; in connection with Mars Nearing, the four-story block, 189-199 Summit, corner of Adams; the tour-story block, corners of Summit, Oak and St. Clair; and the like building, under construction at the time of his death, at the Southwest corner of St. Clair and Oak Streets. Beside these, Mr. Ketcham erected a number of smaller business buildings and dwellings. In 1843, he cut the brush and cleared the ground on which now stands the Produce Exchange building, 56-60 Madison, corner of St. Clair Street, and thereon erected a brick dwelling. At that time there was but one other house within sight of' that point-that of Charles G. Keeler, on the site of the new Government building, Southeast corner Madison and St. Clair Streets. For the former lot Mr. Ketcham paid $1,000, and subsequently sold it to John Poag for $4,700. The Produce Exchange, for the same, paid the sum of $55,000.

In 1852 he purchased the Western 60 feet of the site of the new Government building for $1,200, and in 1864, sold it for $4,500. In 1880, it was sold to the United States for $27,000. These facts are interesting as showing something of the advance in values within the business portion of Toledo. As a result of rigid practice of care in diet and life long habits of out-door activity, Mr. Ketcham preserved, in remarkable degree, the vigorous physical strength with which he was blessed in childhood. Bound as he was, during the latter years of his life by the care of vast and complex business interests, his love for agricultural pursuits was habitually indulged in daily personal attention to farming operations carried on by him. By such indulgence, no doubt his life was for years preserved. The mile of distance between his residence and the Bank, was rarely passed save on foot. He died at his residence, corner of Cherry and Bancroft Streets, July 30, 1887, after an illness of' two weeks. The funeral was attended by his entire family, together with a large concourse of friends and neighbors, including delegations from the Produce Exchange, of which he was a member, and the Bankers of the City. At meetings of the Produce Exchange and Bankers, resolutions were passed expressing high respect for the memory of the deceased and condolence with the afflicted family.

Coming to Toledo 51 years ago, and throughout that long period of time actively and prominently identified with the business and development of the City, very few of his early Toledo neighbors have been permitted to witness the advance in population and material wealth, which was his privilege. Mr. Ketcham was married at Toledo, December 30, 18-11, with Rachel Ann, daughter of Pamela and John Berdan. They had four children-Mary, wife of' Mars Nearing, the succeeding President of the First National Bank; John B. 2d, now President of Ketcham National Bank; Valentine H. jr., Director in First National Bank ; and George H., Civil Engineer and Director in First National Bank, all of Toledo.