Discovery Statehood Brown Back

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National Bank Notes > North Dakota

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Mayville, First NB, 3673
Fr. 471 $5 1882BB
Grade: PMG VG 10 Net    

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This Traill County bank was organized on April 4, 1887, early enough to issue Territorials. There is still a single survivor from the 900 sheets printed. After statehood the bank issued Brown Backs. This note is a new discovery that Glen got from Dean Oakes who had it tucked away. There are no other known survivors although the bank was not placed into receivership until June 25, 1929. This note has been well circulated and it has a closed tear on the back right. Lightly pen signed by bank officers Francis W. Ames, President and Julius Rosholt, Cashier. PMG notes: graded Net but with no notation. Hon. Francis W. Ames was born in Wiscasset, ME, Dec. 16, 1851. Soon after his graduation from Trinity College at Hartford, CT he entered the law office of Hon. H. C. Robinson, of Hartford, and was admitted to the bar in 1879. In 1880 he went to Caledonia, DT, and was appointed clerk of the district court in 1881 until 1885 when he moved to Mayville, where he conducted a general law, real estate and loan business. Mr. Ames was a charter stockholder of the First National Bank of Mayville, and was vice president of the institution. Mayville is located on the Goose River in Traill County. The population was 1,858 at the 2010 census, which makes Mayville the largest community in Traill County. A peak population of 2,554 was reached in 1970. Mayville is often grouped with the neighboring city of Portland. The two towns are sometimes given the name May-Port. The post office opened June 20, 1877 with Mrs. Alvin Arnold, nee Helen Peck, as Postmaster. Some say the community was named for the Arnolds' daughter, May. Others say it was named for the Arnolds' former home in Mayville, Ohio, while still others say it was named for Mrs. Anna Marie "May" Weltzin Chantland (John Chantland became Postmaster in 1879). Although Mayville lost a bid for the county seat, it developed quickly. It incorporated as a village in 1883, and became a city in 1888 with E. M. Paulson (1855-1920) as mayor. Mayville State University was founded as a Normal School by provision of the North Dakota Constitution in 1889 and classes began in 1890. In 1925, the State Board of Higher Education authorized Mayville State to grant a Bachelor of Arts in Education. The Mayville Normal School thus became a teacher's college, providing general education and offering a four-year degree.

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