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National Bank Notes > North Dakota

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Lisbon, First NB, 3669
Fr. 691 $100 1902DB
Grade: PMG VF 30 EPQ    

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I believe this is the only $100 1902 Date Back known from the state and it's one of just six known. There is this unique $50 and $100 plus three $5 1902 Plain Backs. A lovely pen signed note by Willis S. Adams, Cashier who likely signed for the President, Rush S. Adams. It's been decades since I sold this note. Rush S. Adams was born near Union Grove, Wis., on the 18th of November, 1854. He entered the employ of the rm of J. Miller & Company, boot and shoe manufacturers of Racine, Wis., in the capacity of bookkeeper. In 1875 he became a member of the rm, with which he was actively associated until 1883, when he sold his interest in the business and came to North Dakota, settling in Lisbon. There, in company with B. M. Frees, of Chicago, and his cousin Henry K. Adams, he organized the Ransom County Bank. He became president of the institution, with Mr. Frees as the vice president and H. K. Adams as the cashier. In 1887 the bank was nationalized with the same officers and there was no change in the personnel from 1883 until 1915. On the 1st of January of the latter year H. K. Adams retired and his son, W. S. Adams, succeeded him in the position of cashier. Mr. Adams served as a member of the state board of pardons, and treasurer of the State Soldiers Home. He was mayor of Lisbon for one year and served for several years as a member of the board of education, of which for two years he was president. Willis S. Adams, cashier of the First National Bank of Lisbon, was born in Lisbon April 27, 1887. His father, Henry K. Adams in 1883 in company with his cousin, R. S. Adams, organized the Ransom County State Bank, later the First National Bank. From the beginning Henry K. Adams served as cashier until he retired in 1914 on account of ill health, which was brought on by an automobile accident which he sustained in 1908, causing the loss of one of his legs. Willis was educated at the University of Chicago, from which he graduated with the degree Ph.D. in 1909. After his schooling, he had entered the First National Bank as assistant cashier, and after his father s retirement he was elected cashier on the 1st of January, 1915. In June, 1912, Mr. Adams was married to Miss Gladys Taylor, a daughter of A.B. Taylor, assistant cashier of the Fargo National Bank. Lisbon is the county seat of Ransom County. The population was 2,154 at the 2010 census. Lisbon was founded on September 25, 1880 by Joseph Colton, who was the first to homestead the area. Colton named the town Lisbon, after Lisbon, New York, his wife's hometown. Colton became the first postmaster when Post Office was established on January 2, 1880. He was also the first chairman of the school board, the first county clerk and the first county register of deeds. The new townsite was platted on both sides of the Sheyenne River. Lisbon became the county seat in 1881, and the Northern Pacific Railroad reached the site in 1882. It incorporated as a city in 1883 with G. B. Green mayor. Mr. Green defeated Mr. Colton for this honor, after which Mr. Colton moved to Ward County and founded the new townsite of Burlington. The peak population of 2,286 was reached in 1980 as the city has maintained a steady growth since its founding. The North Dakota Soldiers Home was built here in 1891.

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