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FRANK W. TRACY, A.B. This gentleman is widely known as one of the ablest business men of the Prairie State and one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Springfield. He is President of the First National Bank - an institution with which he has been connected since its organization, December 12, 1863. At that time Mr. Tracy was Teller of the institution, the other officers being Col. John Williams, President; Maj. Elijah Iles, Vice-President; and George N. Black, Cashier. Within three years Mr. Tracy had become Assistant Cashier and within five had been advanced to the Cashier's desk - a place which he occupied until 1879. He was then elected President, a fact which in itself indicates the rare combination of qualities which he possesses. He has won the implicit confidence of the commercial public and the firm friendship of resident citizens and visitors of whose moneyed interests he has been the faithful custodian.

The First National Bank opened its doors with a capital stock of $125,000, which in 1870 was increased to $250,000. It has now a surplus and profits of $115,000. Its deposits average over $1,000,000, and it carries loans of nearly $800,000. Its ability to keep valuables in security has led to the establishment of a safe-deposit business, and many articles are guarded and protected in the fine building which was erected in 1878 on the corner of Sixth and Washington streets.

The father of our subject was John P. Tracy, who was born in the Old Dominion and there married Miss Mary Webb of the same State. He was for a number of years located in Baltimore, Md., as commercial agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, a position for which his superior business qualifications well fitted him. He removed to this section in 1851, taking up a large farm in Mason County, which he improved and owned at the time of his death, in April, 1890.

Frank W. Tracy was born in Baltimore, Md., July 21, 1834, and enjoyed the most liberal educational advantages of that city. He was graduated from the Baltimore City College in 1851 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and removing with his parents to this State became a clerk in a dry-goods store in Beardstown. IN 1863 he came to Springfield and with several other gentlemen perfected the organization of the bank of which he is now President. Aside from his duties as a banker, Mr. Tracy has been active in developing various industries and resources of the State, having been Director of a number of corporations which have proved public benefactions. He helped to organize the Springfield Watch Factory and the Springfield Electric Light Company, and has for many years been a Director of the Rolling Mill.

Mr. Tracy is also a Director of the Citizens' Street Railway Company which he helped to organize, and Treasurer and Director of the Franklin Life Association, and as a member of the Board of Education for nine years, was the zealous friend and advocate of liberal education. For three years he was a member of the City Council. He is a Director of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad and was for many years a member of the Executive Committee, resigning that position when his duties became to burdensome. Mr. Tracy has been engaged in coal mining and possesses large landed interests in this county, as well as in Minnesota and Kansas.

Recently Mr. Tracy has given up his activity in politics, but his son, W. W. Tracy, is now President of the Republican State League. He possesses strong bodily powers, a clear, forcible intellect, great social qualities and high moral integrity. This combination of physical and mental organism has given him prominence in both business and social circles, and insured the success of public and private enterprises in which he participated. He is a Thirty-second degree Mason and has held all the Chairs in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife belong to the First Congregational Church.

Mrs. Tracy is an educated, refined and Christian woman whose maiden name was Sarah E. Jones. She is the daughter of Luther A. and Drusilla (Calef) Jones, was born in Beardstown, and became the wife of our subject October 22, 1855. Five children have been born to the congenial couple, but two have been removed by the hand of death. The survivors are Frank E., now President of the Sangamon Coal Company; William W., Cashier of the First National Bank, and Louise, a cultured young lady and the wife of the Hon. Andrew J. Lester, an ex-member of the State Legislature and a member of the Springfield bar.