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Started In 1906 Mc HENRY STATE BANK GROWTH SPECTACULAR The long proud history of the McHenry State Bank began in 1906. The growth of the bank progressed steadily for 50 years. The growth in the last 10 years, however, has been much more spectacular. The McHenry State Bank " was organized as. the West McHenry State Bank, and was located on Main Street on the West side of town for 50 years. The name of the bank was changed in 1946 and the move to the present location occurred 10 years later. The bank moved into anew Georgian Colonial building in July of 1956. At the time of the move, the Board of Directors consisted of Gerald J. Carey, William M. Carroll Charles J. Reihansperger, William A. Nve MD. and Robert L. Weber. At this time there were 27 officers and employees. Total deposits had grown to 11 million d0ll^The new location in the geographical center of the city of McHenry attracted additional business. The better facilities with drive-in banking and customer parking resulted in an immediate increase in deposits. By 1960 it was apparent the new bank building would not be adequate for many more years, as total resources reached beyond 16 million dollars. During this period the bank suffered the loss, through death, of two of its officers - Vice President C. J. Reihansperger, and Assistant Cashier Verne E. Harrison. Mr. Reihansperger's place on the Board of Directors was taken by Cashier Thomas F. Bolger. / The five years between 1960 and 1965 showed an amazing growth as resources rose from 16 million dollars to 29 million dollars. The planning for additional banking space was speeded up with the acquisition of additional property. On November 30, 1964, ground was broken for an addition doubling the size of the bank building. During the next 15 months business continued as usual, and no time was lost because of the construction. Early in the winter of 1965 the operation of the bank was moved into the new addition and the remodeling and renovating of the original building was started. The entire building program was finished early in 1966. The completed building found three drive-in windows instead of the original one. Fourteen tellers windows replaced the original eight in the spacious lobby. Two walk-up windows were new and have proved beneficial for after hour use. The safety deposit vault was moved to the basement to be served by an elevator. The new enlarged building is ample for additional business expansion. . One of the more unique businesses serving McHenry county and northen Illinois is apublic relations and photo service headquartered in the rustic quietness of Woodstock-- Don Peasley and Associates. To the casual observer it may be a surprise that a business could thrive in a small community -- or even a rural county as McHenry county--when it depends on "helping others understand you, your business, your point of view." That's the heart of the Public Relations business as Peasley, journalist and photographer with a background in magazine editing and news service, views it. He's rounded it out with extensive photographic service; news coverage for a variety of organizations and businesses; and imaginative advertising for such firms as a big auto dealer, a leading bank, a major furniture store, growing lumber dealer and the biggest farm service cooperative. His know-how in newspaper writing and editing has helped his firm produce an outstanding monthly publication for the McHenry County Farm Bureau. An appraisal by the Illinois Agricultural Association editor calls the paper"outstanding." It contains virtually all especially-written copy aimed at the McHenry fcounty farmer. Most recent accolades surround the four-page special section on coverage of the tornado late last month The last 10 to 12 years have seen more than a doubling of the bank's total resources, with two new directors, Richard J. Zieman and William J. Cowlin, being added to the Board. Many additional officers and employees have been added to handle the increase in business. The total working force at McHenry State Bank, which includes people from every area in the community, now totals approximately 50 full time employees, and how it affected rural McHenry county. A special map traced the path of the storm. Photos, from the ground and in the air, brought the impact to the reader with full force. A story with compassion, understanding and determination added to the force of the coverage. Demand was so great that several hundred extra copies were run! Peasley produces brochures and includes among his publications two award-winning products--the "VFW News" for VFW Post 5040 and a Little League yearbook called "Play Ball!" The VFW News has captured two national awards and four state awards for their writing, illustration, layout and well-chosen content. "When I left Farm Bureiau in 1961 to start my own business, I was fortunate to have Patricia Hogan join me," Peasley noted. Patricia, who met her husband-tobe Tom Parsley at the public relations office, was well acquainted in McHenry county through her efforts in 4-H and in dairy promotion. Her natural ability to be helpful and her knowledge of the agricultural scene proved beneficial. Gail Marquart, who met her husband Tom Burke, while carrying out a Miss Goldwater contest assignment, also worked for three years with Don Peasley and Associates. Assisting now is Mrs. Donna Looze, a slender blonde who maintains the beauty standards of her predecessors. Peasley agrees it is important to the public relations business to have an attractive assistant with a glowing personality. The business demands she be accomplished for a variety of tasks--from bookkeeping and stenography to modeling, organizing a press conference or running a press room at the county fair. "Our efforts seem headed in two main directions besides the advertising accounts, although we haven't planned it this way," Peasley observed. Serving agriculturally-oriented organizations isone broad area. The other is the health-care field. Regular advertising assignments, special photography challenges, and news service tailored to an anniversary, referendum, grand opening--a one-shot responsibility-- round out the main outlets for this energetic business. with several others working on a part time basis to provide adequate service during peak periods. The McHenry State Bank has always been the area leader in the home mortgage field. There is currently almost ten million dollars outstanding in first mortgages. Many of the property owners are third generation mortgagors with the bank, with their parents and grandparents financing homes before them. The agricultural assignments come naturally with Peasley's background-of growing up on a farm and his work with Fa^m Bureau for a dozen years in Chicago. His efforts for the McHenry County Fair and the McHenry County Dairy Promotion Council as well as Farm Bureau, Federal Land Bank Association and Production Credit aid the agricultural community. He's lived in McHenry County since 1947. In fact, Peasley last month was named one of 10 winners of a Certificate of Merit for notable service to agriculture at an FLBA 50th anniversary dinner. Only four were awarded to McHenry county residents. He and his staff service suchhealth care field clients as these, with a total package of services: McHenry Hospital, Memorial Hospital for McHenry County, Mental Health Center for McHenry County, McHenry county unit of the American Cancer Society, McHenry Medical Group, right now a special assignment for the McHenry County Medical Society and McHenry County Dental Society. "Those who need help most are in many cases least able to provide any. budget to tell the public their story," Peasley observed. "They include such fine organizations as the Woodstock Children's Home, Fine Arts Association, Mental Health Center, Red Cross, church groups and others." Much of the firm's service goes to this classification of clients as a contribution because, as Peasley explains "We don't seem to have time to work for them in ways many people do, and we're sold the public should know about these worthwhile ventures." Peasley added he's fortunate to have members of his family able to help out in the business--a freshman son who can help with photography, a teen-age daughter willing to be drafted as a model for ads and feature illustrations (since she was two months old), five-year old daughter eager to pose for "any picture idea" and a sixth-grade son who shows writing promise. Perhaps the most impact may come from the "newest" writer in the family since Mrs. Peasley last summer completed a book-length manuscript on marriage and religion. The script has been read (but rejected) fey Such "name" publishers as Double and Harper & Row. Peasley half-jokingly says his biggest challenge "right now" is to find a publisher for a client "at home" who offers a positive message to "knock people off their lethargy." Don Peasley Has Unique Business Public Relations Based on Understanding