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 The history of the First National Bank of Gilman goes back to 1869, when it was established by Mr. D.L. Parker. It is the oldest bank in Iroquois County, from the standpoint of continuous service, as it remained in business during the Depression years in the 1930s when many other banks were forced to close their doors.
The Gilman bank changed to the national system on June 10, 1901, when it received a charter from the Federal Treasury Dept. The bank was then headed by D.L. Parker as President; J.H. Allen as Vice-pres.; and Robert M. Pollock as cashier. At that time the bank’s capital was $25,000.
D.L. Parker served until Oct. 29, 1910, at which time Robert Pollock was elected President, a position he held until Nov. of 1915. Fred W. Stine was then elected President in Jan. of 1916; E.S. Herron, Sr., was Vice-president and Ella Rorer Kerns was cashier. Following the resignation of Mrs. Kerns in June, 1922, Lial C. Pollock was appointed cashier, with Herman Classen and Marie Hausmann as assistant cashiers.
Mr. Stine served as President until Dec., 1929, at which time Lial C. Pollock was elected President. Herman Classen was appointed cashier in 1942, a position he held until Feb., 1956. James Forrest was elected cashier in Jan. 1963, and in Jan. 1966, was named Vice-president and cashier. Max Howard joined the bank staff in Feb. 1964, and was later appointed Executive Vice-president. Lial Pollock died in July, 1964, and Mary Pollock was appointed President and held that position until her retirement in 1980. James Forrest was then elected President.
In 1980 Lyle P. Campbell & James M. Forrest purchased the outstanding stock of Mary Pollock and formed the Iroquois Bancorp Holding Company. In 1991 Lyle P. Campbell sold his interest in Iroquois Bancorp to his sons Douglas L. and Craig L. Campbell. In May of 1996 President James M. Forrest retired and Dale R. Warmbir was named President.
The present bank building was built in 1977. Prior to that time, the bank occupied the building at 104 N. Central Street from 1905 until they moved into their new facility in Dec. 1977. In Jan. 1999 the bank opened a branch at 141 Veterans Parkway in Watseka, IL. Over the years, the bank has always experienced steady growth and progress.
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