So proclaimed Samuel T. Busey, Urbana’s “soldier, banker, patriot, and public-spirited citizen” in 1867, one year before opening the first incarnation of what is now Busey Bank. Brothers and entrepreneurs Samuel T. and Simeon H. Busey opened Busey Brothers & Company bank on Monday, January 13, 1868. (1)
Save me a slice!
The above photograph was originally printed in the January 13, 1948, News-Gazette (page 3) with the caption title "Busey Bank Birthday." The caption reads "Mrs. Guy Tawney, chairman of the Busey First National Bank board of directors, shows other board members how she'll cut the towering birthday cake on display in the lobby of the firm which observed its 80th anniversary Tuesday...pieces of the cake will be distributed Wednesday during an all-day open house at the bank."
“Mrs. Guy Tawney” referenced above refers to Marietta Busey Tawney, daughter of Samuel T. Busey. After the death of her husband, Dr. Guy A. Tawney, Marietta Tawney became chairman of the Board of Directors for Busey First National Bank from 1946-1950.
References:
1. Woolard, B.S. (1993) What this town needs is a Bank! Champaign, Ill.: Flying Color Graphics Andromeda Printing Division, p. 3-4.
Donica, Archives Librarian