Woodburn Bank

There was no bank in Jackson Township until 1895. Until that time, some merchants had loaned money at the prohibitive rate of 24%. In the Osceola Sentinel dated March 16, 1893, it was noted in the Woodburn items that the safe for the bank arrived last Thursday and business will soon begin. (We have not been able to locate where the bank was at this time, but Benjamin Coppock‟s obituary stated that the bank started in 1893). A reference to this first bank was also found in the Osceola Democrat on August 2, 1900, where it is mentioned that Ben Coppock is remodeling the old bank building and making a dwelling out of it.


The bank as we knew it was built by Mr. Earl Black, who contracted to build in June of 1895. It was completed the same year. C.A. Twyford was the president in 1895 with Coppock serving before him, John Voris was president in 1904. On January 8, 1914, William Voris resigned as assistant cashier. Miss Margaret K. Childers, assistant cashier at Iowa State Bank, with five years banking experience, took his place. John A. Voris, cashier, stayed at his position. Minnie Reeves worked for John Voris, and took over when he died on March 29, 1914.   The officers of the bank in 1923 were: W.B. Tallman, Pres.; J.E. Shepherd, Vice Pres.; Margaret K. Childers, Cashier; Marie Donner, Cashier. Others connected with the bank were John Coppock, Lewis Crist and Fred Reinig (who was president at one time).

John Voris

Osceola Sentinel, August 9, 1932

Woodburn Bank Seeks "Waivers" Closes at Noon Monday as Osceola Bank Halts to Secure Agreements

When the Iowa State bank in Osceola closed to secure depositor’s agreements Monday morning it was conceded that the bank at Woodburn would find it necessary to do the same thing. For a time it was thought it might weather the storm but by noon Monday withdrawals became heavy and the directors decided to close. At the present time plans are being worked out along similar lines to those in Osceola and it is thought that that bank, too, will be reopened under the depositors agreement plan. A mass meeting was to be held there Tuesday morning and work of securing the "Waivers" started. The citizens’ committee is as follows: Fred Davis, S.E. Hootman, Harve Porterfield, L.L. Stedwell, Chester Wilson, and Gus Fuller.

On August 24, 1932 the bank reopened with accounts under $25.00 released in full. Only 20% of anything over $25.00 could be withdrawn and they had to agree to leave the money in the bank for three years. As far as everyone remembers the bank closed shortly after this for good.   It was then used as the post office and Gurnea Marquis' barbershop.   Marvin Pollard had "Pollard's Potluck" store in it in the mid-1970's.   Unfortunately, this building was torn down in the 1980's.