James B. Gormly
JAMES B. GORMLY banker, Bucyrus, the oldest son of John A. Gormly was born November 23, 1836 in Bucyrus. In his youth he received such instruction as the village schools afforded, until his 17th year when he entered the store of his uncle, J. P. Bowman, for one year. In the fall of 1855, he entered Bartlett's s Commercial College of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in the spring of 1856. On his return home, he at once entered the Exchange Bank of this place, as teller and general book-keeper. He performed these duties with efficiency from May, 1856, until. June 1859. In the latter year, he and his father organized the People's Deposit Bank, Aug. 1, 1859, being sole proprietors. This institution continued until May 1, 1864. At the organization of the First National Bank of Bucyrus, Mr. Gormly was chosen Cashier a position which he held until the death of his father in May l878, when he was elected President-a tribute to his long experience and faithful service. From 1871 to 1875, he served the Ohio Cent. R. R. Co., in the double capacity of Secretary and Treasurer. He was also Treasurer of the Crawford County Agricultural Society, from 1867 until 1878-a period of eleven Years. In May 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss E. Virginia Swingly, daughter of Dr. F. Swingly. This union has been blessed with three children: Ella K., Susie E. and James B., Jr. Mr. Gormly was raised a Presbyterian, and has been Treasurer of his church since his eighteenth year. The First National Bank, under the management of father and sons, has become widely known as the Gormly Bank. Within a period of ten years it has returned to its stockholders in dividends their entire original investment of $100,000 besides putting, $20.000 into a reserve fund. The father John A. Gormly whose portrait appears in this work. Was born at Pittsburgh Penn., Feb. 19. 1804. He was the son of John Gormly, an Irish Protestant who was born in the county of Tyrone, Ireland in 1776 and came to America about 1790, settling at Pittsburgh Penn., where he followed the business of milling. John A. Gormly was reared by pious and Godly parents whose early lessons blossomed and in after years, bore the fruit of a well-rounded life and exalted Christian manhood. About 1830, he removed to Brownsville, Penn. where he became a member of the Presbyterian Church. It was here that he met and married Miss Louisa Bowman in 1833. The result of this happy union was three children: James B., George C. and Mary L., wife of Rev. James G. D. Findley, Pastor of the United Presbyterian Church at Newburg, N. Y. Mr. Gormly was employed in mercantile pursuits at Brownsville, Penn, until 1836; when he removed to Bucyrus he had but little capital at that time, and purchased a house and lot on Sandusky Avenue, and kept a small store on the site of H. H. Moderwell's tin and stove store. It was a general store where the meager wants of both the white and the red children of the forest were supplied. In those days, he and his faithful wife came to know what toil and privation meant, but by unswerving purpose and careful management, step by step Mr. Gormly became one of the substantial men of Bucyrus. He invested his surplus capital year by year, in the rich farm lands near town, until he owned over 1,000 acres, besides considerable city property. In 1859, he became proprietor of the People's Deposit Bank of this place, which continued in successful operation until 1864 at which time he was elected President of the First National Bank of Bucyrus, a position which he held until his death, and to him that worthy institution owes much of its past prosperity, and present prestige for fair dealing, and sterling integrity, which were synonyms of his life and character. He took a prominent part in church affairs and in the year 1838, he was elected a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church and chosen by the Presbytery of Bellefontaine Lay Commissioner to the General Assembly which met at Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1876. His faithful wife departed this life Mar 6, 1872 and he passed away peacefully May 8, 1878, in the 75th year of his age.
From History of Crawford County and Ohio, Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, Chicago, 1881