15 Aug 2000 MO-Abstracts Read-Only List ````````````````````````````` Source: "History of Kansas City" (pub 1908) P 52: The first bank in Independence was organized in 1853 by Ulysses TURNER and James T. THORNTON. The Bank of Independence, incorporated as a state institution, was opened for business, January 2, 1887. Dr. J.D. WOOD was the first president.