1871 letter 1st National Bank TOLEDO OHIO MARS NEARING/ SAMUEL BOLLES bank stock For Sale

Rare original advertising letterheadOHIO BANK HISTORYletter from then Vice PresidentMARS NEARINGFIRST NATIONAL BANK OF TOLEDOsent to Samuel Bolles in New Haven Ct.bank stock discussion5 x 8 1/2In excellent overall conditionMars Nearing (1821 – October 25, 1895) was a prominent 19th-century American banker, civic official, and businessman who played a foundational role in the early commercial development of Northwest Ohio, particularly within Toledo and Wood County.Core Biography & Bank Leadership

• Early Background: He was born to a storekeeper father. Before his extensive banking career, he served as a local Postmaster in Waterville (Lucas County), Ohio, appointed on February 12, 1850.
• Banking Pioneer: Nearing was one of the early driving forces behind The First National bank Of Toledo, which was organized in September 1863 as the pioneer National Bank of the city.
• Rise to President: After spending decades serving as the bank's Vice President alongside its first president, Valentine H. Ketcham, Nearing was officially elected President of the First National Bank in September 1887 following Ketcham's death. He served as president for eight years until his own passing in October 1895.
• Family Ties: He married into the prominent Ketcham family. His brother, Neptune Nearing, was also located in the Ohio region.

Industrial and Legal Activities

• Toledo Wagon Works: Beyond finance, Nearing helped diversify Toledo's industrial footprint. He served as the original Treasurer of the new Wagon Works of Toledoupon its organization, partnering with D.B. Turnbull (President) and V.H. Ketcham (Director).
• Legal and Estate Executor: Nearing was highly active in the Wood County, Ohio legal systems, frequently appearing in Court of Common Pleas records acting as a trusted estate executor and fiduciary manager for regional properties and sales.
Generational Legacy in OhioThe Nearing family name remained highly influential in local civic leadership for generations. Mars Nearing's descendants in the region included Judge Guy C. Nearing, subsequent Wood County Judge Charles R. Nearing, and later local figures like Guy Mars Nearing (1902–1987), maintaining deep legal and historical footprints centered around Bowling Green and Toledo, Ohio.

~~~~~~~In excellent overall conditionA welcome addition to a collection
THANKS FOR LOOKING!!
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