Butte County
Biographies
THE BANK OF CHICO
ALEXANDER H. CREW
This bank is one of the most important financial institutions of the Sacramento Valley, being ably managed and possessed of ample capital for all its purposes. It was established in 1872, being incorporated under the banking laws of California. Mr. John Conly, since deceased, was its first president, and Mr. Alexander H. Crew, the secretary and cashier, the latter gentleman being in fact the had and active man. Upon the death of Mr. Conly, in 1883, Mr. W. D. Heath became president. After holding the office for less than a year he died, when Mr. Orrin Gowell was chosen president, and still holds that office.
Mr. H. W. Heath, brother of the late W. D. Heath, is the vice-president. The capital authorized in $500,000, of which $300,000 is paid up. They have a fine substantial bank building, erected at a cost of $25,000, and ornament to the town. We append an outline of the busy and useful life of the cashier, Mr. Alexander H. Crew, which will be found of interest.
Mr. Crew is a native of London, England, where he was born June 28, 1835. He received a good English education in the celebrated Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Bermondsey, near London Bridge, of which his father, William Crew, was a trustee. In February, 1849, the family set out for Australia, but while on the voyage they heard of the discovery of gold in California, and came here instead, after being a tedious seven months on the water. In April, 1850, young Crew landed from ship, board at a point where now is the corner of Washington and Montgomery streets, San Francisco. Mr. William Crew entered mercantile business there, which he continued until 1853, when he returned to London, dying in 1858. His son, Alexander, found employment first in the office of the Daily Balance newspaper, of which the celebrated Eugene Casserley was editor and proprietor. Later on he entered the office of the Evening Journal, the late Governor Washington Bartlett’s paper, the beginning of the friendship recognized in later days. In 1853 he went to Marysville, and in Adams & Co.’s express and banking office was engaged in blowing gold dust for some time. In 1855 he went to La Porte and opened the banking house of Everetts, Wilson & Co., he being the company. A short time afterward he went into business for himself, in partnership with George Eve, the firm name being Eve & Crew. Later on Mr. Eve retired, whereupon the well-known John Conly and Mr. Crew established the banking house of John Conly & Co., Mr. Crew being the company. Later Mr. Orrin Gowell (now president of the Bank of Chico) came in and the Bank of La Porte, which is still in existence, was incorporated. In 1872 was founded the Bank of Chico, since which time Mr. Crew has resided in this place, and has been intimately identified with its best interests, his object being to advance in all proper ways the prosperity of the town and county. In matters of education he has been an active worker, aiding more than a little the establishing of normal schools in Chico, of which he is a trustee and a member of the executive committee. He is also the president of the Chico Board of Trade, a body which has effected much in the way of building up and beautifying the town and of publishing to the world its great advantages as a home and business center.
He is a trustee of the Chico Presbyterian church, an active worker for the cause of Christianity and morality, an honored member of the Knights Templar, having passed through all stages of the Masonic order, and also a member of the I.O.O.F. He is one of Chico’s foremost and enterprising citizens, identified in all matters that tend to the public wealth, and has won a high place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Crew has made his way almost unaided from the day he landed, a lad of sixteen years, in San Francisco, until now when he is at the head of one of the most important financial institutions in the northern part of the State. Mr. W. D. Heath, a bright and talented young man, came to assist in the bank in 1873; he was born in California in 1851. His keen business ability and geniality soon caused his friends to prophesy for him marked success among the business men of the day. Many important positions were intrusted to him; but, in the midst of unusual success for one so young, death claimed him for his own. His death was greatly deplored not only by the people of the town but also of many other parts of the State.
The accountant of the bank of Chico is Mr. Thomas N. Crew, a nephew of Mr. A. H. Crew. He is a native of London, born in 1856, and educated in the public schools of London. He was for some time engaged in the largest drygoods house in Cheltenham, in the west of England, but in 1875 he came to California. He is a gentleman whose ability as an accountant is proven by the best of tests, that namely of experience. He worthily assists his uncle in the bank.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
pp 116-117
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler