Biographies
WILLIAM BECKMAN
The increasing financial and business
prosperity of Sacramento finds a striking illustration in the magnificent
structure erected by the People's Savings Bank and utilized not only as the
headquarters of their own large concern, but also in its upper stories for
office purposes. Men who are familiar with all the leading banks of the Pacific
coast assert that in its interior equipment and elegance of appointments the
new structure has no superiors. Not only is it the tallest business
building in Sacramento, but in addition it ranks as the best in the Sacramento
valley, and no one who has studied its architecture and design fails to accord
to its projectors the heartiest admiration. Much of the credit for the success
of the enterprise is given to the president of the bank, William Beckman, who
not only took a leading part in the organization of the concern more than
thirty years ago, but in addition has moulded its
financial policy, shaped its conservative course of procedure and so wisely
guarded its investments that the institution proudly boasts a record of having
never lost a loan.
Although by parentage and nativity an
easterner (for he was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., December 19, 1832), Mr.
Beckman is a typical westerner in his habits of thought, plans of action and
temperament of mind. This comes somewhat from his business training in Chicago,
whither he went at an early age and where he earned his livelihood as an employe in a business house until he was led to identify
himself with the unknown possibilities of the Pacific Coast. The year 1851
found him a newcomer in Sacramento, where the following year he embarked in
business. During 1858 he removed to a farm in Sacramento county
and for fifteen years he engaged in agricultural pursuits at Florin.
Attaining prominence in the county, and for six years he efficiently served as
a member of the board of supervisors. During 1875 he became the Republican
nominee for state treasurer, but suffered defeat with the balance of the
ticket. Later his services to his district received recognition in his election
in 1891 as a member of the state railroad commission, where he continued for
four years.
Under the tactful and enterprising
leadership of Mr. Beckman, who had become well known in many avenues of
activity throughout the west, the People's Savings Bank was organized and
opened for business in July of 1879. Long residence in the valley had given him
a thorough knowledge of the soil, people and conditions, so that he possessed
exceptional advantages for the banking business. His reputation as a successful
man of affairs and captain of industry won for the bank a general prestige and
a confidence which guaranteed its success. Associated with him in the founding
of the institution was John L. Huntoon, now
vice-president and a member of the board of directors. The cashier, A. G. Folger, has been connected with the bank for twenty-one
years and entered upon the duties of his present position during 1896, since
which time he also has been made a member of the board of directors, whose
other members are the president and vice-president, also George W. Lorenz and
J. J. Keegan. The monthly report of the bank October 6, 1912,
showed total resources of $4,543,593.32, with deposits of $3,920,155.
The capital of the bank is $455,852.90 and the surplus and undivided profits
$62,450.77.
About thirty-two years after the
establishment of the bank it removed from its early location on the corner of
Fourth and J to the new building on the corner of Eighth and J streets, in the
heart of the city's newer financial and business district, four blocks above
the old headquarters. The new bank, erected at a cost of over $275,000,
comprises a building of seven stories with steel frame, enclosed by reinforced
concrete walls, which are faced with white terra cotta. The architectural
design is strikingly handsome, with a heavy base of two stories, a rounded
front corner and a wide projection cornice of artistic terra cotta. The six
floors above the banking quarters are divided into fifty-four office rooms,
handsomely finished and equipped in the most modern way, with artistic lighting
fixtures, mahogany woodwork and steam heat. The concrete office floors are
covered with battleship linoleum and the corridors with marble tiling. Two fast
elevators serve the upper floors.
The entire first floor is occupied by the
bank. The arrangement and equipment of the bank represent the ability of the
architect, Henry H. Meyers, of San Francisco, in conjunction with the officers
of the institution. The result is a well-arranged banking house. The marble
entrance, with its artistic bronze doors at the corner, opens into a lobby
which occupies most of the length of two sides of the room. On one side of the
lobby terminates at President Beckman's cosy office
and on the other side at a beautifully furnished ladies' parlor. Along all four
walls runs a wainscoting of French variegated marble from Africa, set in
panels, with appropriate base and cornice. The counter screen is of bronze
grill work in which are set several tellers' wickets. The bronze electric
lighting fixtures were made according to special designs and add to the beauty
of the interior. The rich ceiling, designed in octagonal gold-decorated plaster
panels, adds to the impression of elegance. Along the lobby walls are mahogany
settees with leather upholstering and all of the other furniture is of
mahogany. The working space behind the counter is designed to afford the
maximum of convenient room and is equipped with modern devices for banking.
There are two large fireproof and burglar-proof vaults, each provided with
twelve-ton steel doors fitted with time locks. One of the vaults is designed
for safe deposit boxes, of which fifteen hundred already have been installed,
with ample accommodations for one thousand more. Booths are also provided for
patrons of the safety deposit department. In fact, every modern banking
convenience is to be found in this institution, whose directors have the
gratification of knowing that they have furnished to the capital city its
finest business block and that for years they have provided the entire valley
with a banking institution sound in policy and sagacious in investments,
guarding the interests of its depositors with capable foresight and promoting
the excellent financial standing of the entire locality by its own long and
honorable record.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 1020-1022.
Historic Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.