San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 996-999
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 1/25/2010
FRANK A. GUERNSEY
A leader in the financial circles of Central California, Frank A. Guernsey, the president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Stockton, occupies a post of high responsibility in directing the affairs of this notable financial institution, recognized as one of the strong and reliable banks of the state, since its establishment more than forty years ago, Mr. Guernsey's father being one of the founders.
A descendant of two substantial old New England families, Frank A. Guernsey was born at Stockton on October 17, 1879, the son of Darius A. and Nellie (Hatch) Guernsey, the former born in the picturesque town of Lancaster, N.H., on the Connecticut River, while Mrs. Guernsey was a native of the state of Maine. Darius A. Guernsey located in San Joaquin County in the early '70s, and for a while he was a clerk in Stockwell's store at Stockton. He then went to work on the Gardenhire ranch, and he stated at that time that some day he would be the owner of this property, which prediction was fulfilled when, in later years, he was able to purchase this fine ranch of 1100 acres; he also owned several other ranches and became one of the large landowners of the county. He was prominent in the business life of Stockton, being one of the founders of the Guernsey and Allen Book and Stationery store. Later he started a piano business in Stockton, selling pianos to the farmers throughout the county. One or two pianos would be loaded on a wagon and they would start out and drive until these were sold, frequently returning to Stockton with a string of horses which they had taken in payment for the pianos. On October 1, 1888, in partnership with P.B. Fraser and D.S. Rosenbaum, Mr. Guernsey established the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Stockton, and it is interesting to note that these three men held successively the office of president of the bank.
Mr. and Mrs. Darius A. Guernsey were the parents of three children: Frank A. Guernsey, whose name heads this sketch, Mrs. Pliny E. Holt and Mrs. Harriet Du Bois. Mr. Guernsey attended the public schools, graduating from the Stockton high school in 1900. His first business venture was a clerkship in a clothing store at a very small salary. During the Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo, N.Y., he was sent as a representative from San Joaquin County in charge of their exhibit, where he remained a year, and on returning to Stockton he entered into partnership with E.C. Dickinson under the firm name of Dickinson and Guernsey and established a grain business. At the end of a year Mr. Guernsey disposed of his interest and became the secretary of the Farmers Union & Milling Company, continuing until 1907, when he entered the grain business for himself.
On January 1, 1916, Mr. Guernsey was elected president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, and since assuming the duties of this office he has shown unusual wisdom, progressiveness and capability in guiding the affairs of this powerful banking institution. The Farmers and Merchants Bank owns its handsome nine-story banking and office building, erected in 1917, and representing an investment of nearly half a million dollars. It stands in the heart of the business district of Stockton, towering like a beautiful monument in tribute to the officers, directors and stockholders, attesting the confidence these men have in the present and future of this city of opportunities. The bank occupies the entire lower floor of the building and it is finished in a material called “wood marble”—blocks of wood made to represent marble. This was after Mr. Guernsey's own idea, to get away from the stereotyped banking institutions of stucco, gold and silver ornaments, etc. The bank is equipped with a combination cooling and heating apparatus; in the summer this reduces the temperature and in the winter the same apparatus is used for heating. On September 30, 1919, the combined capital stock was $640,000, undivided profits, $58,883.44 deposits, $5,109,119.33. The officers of the bank are as follows: President, Frank A. Guernsey; vice-president and cashier, Will E. Morris; directors, E.F. Davis, Hillard E. Welch, George Finkbohner, Dan N. Gilmore, S.B. Coates, Frank Cox, John M. Perry. The bank maintains a branch at Oakdale with E.D. Heron as manager.
When he became president of the bank, Mr. Guernsey, who was in the grain business at the time, incorporated his interests as the Frank A. Guernsey Grain Company, with the following officers, J.W. Schuler, president; P.J. O'Connell, vice-president; H.J. Mann, secretary, but he still retains a large block of stock in this corporation.
Mr. Guernsey's marriage united him with Miss Wagner, a native of Oregon, and they are the parents of two sons, D. Albert and Frank C. Mr. Guernsey's especial hobby is his finely developed ranch of 400 acres on Rough and Ready Island; this he is developing into one of the finest dairy and orchard properties in the county. He has 100 acres of Bartlett pears, and he is building up a herd of fine, blooded stock for his modern dairy. On this property he has erected a beautiful home, which with the surrounding ranch developments, makes this one of the show places of the county. Mr. Guernsey is a member of Lodge No. 218, B.P.O.E., of Stockton.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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