Part 2 From "Reflections of Grand River, Iowa 1881 - 1981" p. 13 Grand River History Soon after the town was started lots were offered for sale and were taken very rapidly. Dwellings, store rooms, hotels, etc., were at once erected and soon the community had the appearance of a fast growing city. During the first year the presence of the hands who were at work on the extension of the Humeston & Shenandoah Railroad from that place westward across the state, helped to give the merchants of the place a good tradeuntil the business of the town could be built up from the surrounding country. The new town, however, had a good trade from the very start. One thing which at first very materially retarded the growth of Grand River was the difficulty in crossing Grand River at that point, there being no bridge and the river having to be forded. This tended to cut off a large part of her legitimate trade. In the summer of 1887, though, an iron bridge was constructed acorss the river 1/2 mile east of town, and the difficulty was removed. Among the early improvements was a fine church building, erected by the Presbyterians, but which was open to other denominations when not in use by the builders. The State Savings Bank at Grand River was originally established in 1889 by Patrick Griffin who conducted it as a private institution under the name of Bank of Grand River. Ten years later Mr. Griffin disposed of the business to A. L. Ackerly who conducted it as a private bank under the same name until July 1, 1900, when it was incorporated under the title of State Savings Bank of Grand River. This was known as the First National Bank. (At that time the bank was of that name and later became a branch of the Decatur County State Bank.) A. L. Ackerly was president; Patrick Griffin, Vice president; J. C. Brothers, cashier; and Charles Kelley, assistant cashier. The capital stock was $25,000 and the deposits amount to $118,000. The Farmers Bank was established in 1903. J. Switzer was the president and A. R. Switzer was cashier. The capital was $10,000 and the deposits amounted to $128,000. To Be Continued....