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National Bank Notes > North Dakota

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Valley City, American NB & Trust Co., 13385
Fr. 1801-1 $10 1929T1
Grade: PMG Ch. AU 58 EPQ    

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This is a lovely $10 that must have too much wave for an UNC, although it sure looks UNC. This note is new to the census and is one of 44 small notes reported with this title. Printed signatures of Henry Edwin Nelson, President and Arnfin C. Thorkelson, Cashier. Henry Edwin Nelson was born near Lanesboro, MN in 1877. Mr. Nelson attended the Valley City Normal School and taught school for ten years. Mr. Nelson was employed in the County Auditors office and was deputy County Treasurer and Treasurer until he resigned to be President of the American National Bank, a position he held for thirteen years. In 1933 he and his wife, Dorothy, established the Nelson Public Service (Insurance) Agency. Arnfin C. Thorkelson was born in Valley City, November 27, 1886. When he was six he moved with his parents to Fingal, North Dakota. In 1906 he was named bookkeeper in the Bank of Leal, North Dakota. In 1908 he was bookkeeper in the American National Bank of Valley City. The officers at that time were A. H. Gray, Pres. and James Grady, Cashier. In 1919 this bank sold its interest to the American Exchange Bank. Mr. Thorkelson remained as Cashier and Henry E. Nelson was President. In 1929 the American Exchange Bank and the Middlewest Exchange Bank sold their interest to the present American National Bank, Mr. Thorkelson being promoted to Vice President while also retaining his position as Cashier. Valley City is the county seat of Barnes County; the population was 6,585 at the 2010 census, a peak population of 7,843 was recorded in 1970. Founded by the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1872, this place was called Second Crossing of the Sheyenne, Fifth Siding, and Wahpeton before the year was over. In 1874 it was named Worthington, but confusion with Worthington, Minnesota resulted in another name change to Valley City, descriptive of its location in the Sheyenne River valley. Valley City was incorporated as a village in 1881, and became a city in 1883 with C. A. Benson as mayor. The city is known for its many bridges over the Sheyenne River including the Hi-Line Railroad Bridge. These bridges have earned it the distinction of being called the "City of Bridges". The city is also the home of Valley City State University, established here in 1890. Frank White, 8th Governor of North Dakota and Treasurer of the United States, and George Mason, founder of the American Motors Corporation, were natives of Valley City.

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