Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, ed . y. Isolated cases which discredithis calling, and plunge the country intoparoxysms of alarm, fail to disprove the as-sumption that every man who has in him themaking of a successful banker possesses thesestrong and fundamental requisites. Banking is not a business to attract the frivolous or im-patient. The centuries have added no frillsto its methods, or softened, by a single shade,its somber and accuracy-comiielling require-ments. In some instances, mahogany countersand costly furnishings may relieve the eye, butthey do not lift the austere obligatio
Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, ed . y. Isolated cases which discredithis calling, and plunge the country intoparoxysms of alarm, fail to disprove the as-sumption that every man who has in him themaking of a successful banker possesses thesestrong and fundamental requisites. Banking is not a business to attract the frivolous or im-patient. The centuries have added no frillsto its methods, or softened, by a single shade,its somber and accuracy-comiielling require-ments. In some instances, mahogany countersand costly furnishings may relieve the eye, butthey do not lift the austere obligation fromthe shoulders of those who hold in trust andmanipulate the deposits of their cases out of ten the bank President hasbeen under observation in the community formany years, and through right living hasgained unquestioned confidence—his most es-sential asset. No exception to this generalityIs found in James Cole, former President of theFirst National Bank of Bushnell: a man towhom an introduction were superfluous, who. Ij-^^y^^^c^ C-yn^y^ HISTORY OF McDOXOLGH COLXTY. 853 has lived in the town for half a century, hajsbeen a banker for twenty-three years, and who,in his rise from humble conditions, furnishesan inspiring example of the compelling powerof high ideals, and the worth of homely,sterling virtues. The pressure of necessity,that greatest developing force of youth, tellheavily upon the childhood of .Tames Cole. Fora short time only he knew the redeeminggrace ot a mothers love, nor did a fathers helpand counsel accompany him to the thresholdof his independent career. Born in Berkeley County. Va., August , Mr. Cole is one ot the six children ofWilliam Cole, a blacksmith by trade and anative also ot Virginia. So meager were thefamily resources that, after the death of hismother, the boy James was taken in hand bythe Overseer of the Poor, and bound out for aterm of years to one Philip Stone, with whomhe remained until his fifteenth year. Duringthis
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