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Changing with the times: Marion National Bank celebrates century of service

One hundred years — a century. That's a major milestone anyway it's measured.

A centennial anniversary for a business is even more unusual and when it occurs, it is cause for celebration.

Such is the case of Marion National Bank. A celebration will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at the bank at 302 E. Main, Marion, with a presentation at 11:30 a.m.

During the past century, many changes have occurred in downtown Marion. But one business that remained a stalwart fixture has been Marion National Bank.

The bank was chartered Sept. 9, 1905, with assets of $25,000, and was located in its present location — the corner of Third and Main streets.

Financed by 40 stockholders from the community, Christian Siebert was elected the first president because he provided the largest sum of money. Brown Corby was the first cashier.

The bank grew steadily throughout the early years.

In 1915, J.R. Whaley was elected president with Walter Siebert serving as cashier and A.E. Hawkinson as vice president.

Earl Kreuter replaced Hawkinson as vice president and cashier in 1927, and became chief executive officer.

C. F. Pantle was elected president in 1936, but was not an active officer in the bank.

Kreuter was elected president in January 1951 — an office he held until his retirement in 1963.

Kreuter was CEO during trying challenging times for banks — the Great Depression, World War II, and the 1951 flood.

In January 1963, Kreuter contacted Matthew H. Classen, a bank examiner who lived in El Dorado, to become the manager of the bank. Classen responded he would be interested in purchasing the bank with an associate Eugene Payer, a banker who worked with Classen in El Dorado.

In March of 1963, the sale was completed. Classen and Payer took over as new owners on July 15, 1963. John Loomis of Marion also bought into the partnership.

Classen was elected president the following year.

"At age 30, I was the youngest president of the 612 banks in the state of Kansas," said Classen.

Loomis became vice president and remained active until 1973. His son, Larry Loomis, joined the bank as vice president in 1977.

The bank continued to grow.

"In the late 1970s, we began to realize the building was no longer adequate and we decided to build a new building at the same location," said Classen.

In July of 1979, Marion National Bank moved one block east to temporary quarters while the building was being constructed on the original site.

The bank opened for business in the newly constructed bank building on April 18, 1980.

In February 1995, Classen was elected chairman of the board of directors and Loomis became president, a position he held until his retirement in 2003.

"Times and ownership changed again for the bank when the controlling interest of the bank was sold to the Joseph McLiney family in December 1999," said Classen. The family resides in Louisburg.

In 2003, Jim Hefley was elected president and Don Noller was elected senior vice president.

Other notable senior officers during the years were Lonnie Tidwell, Mac Kreuter, Leroy Riggs, Mike Classen, Elora Robinson, and Paige Schneider.

Gone are the horses and buggies, handwritten bookkeeping, and personalized bank money.

"Marion National Bank has made the necessary changes over the years to accommodate its customers," said Classen.

Positioning itself for the next 100 years, Marion National Bank will continue to provide services to its customers and the community.

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