Page 26 - The History of Watertown Savings Bank_Neat

Isaac L. Hunt

Watertown Savings Bank
new F.W. Woolworth Building in the heart of
When Isaac L. Hunt took over as Watertown
President Savings Bank president in 1907, he became more downtown. By that time, the bank’s assets had
1907 - 1934 than a prestigious figurehead for the bank. Mr. grown to more than $4 million.
Hunt, an attorney, was credited for expanding He helped lead the bank through the First
the role of the WSB bank president by becoming World War, and positioned it to not only survive,
actively involved in the day-to-day operations of but thrive, during the Great Depression of the
the institution. 1930s. By the time he retired in 1934, the bank’s
Although his background was in the legal assets had grown to more than $6 million.
system, Mr. Hunt was described as possessing a Mr. Hunt was born the son of a clergyman in
“sound viewpoint in financial matters” and some Herkimer County in 1850. He graduated from
even called him a “genius as a banker.” Union College, Schenectady, where he majored

Mr. Hunt had joined the Watertown Savings in law.
Bank board of trustees in 1897. At age 57, he In 1872, he was admitted to the Jefferson
became the bank’s fourth president, and served in County Bar and became a practicing attorney. Mr.
that position until retiring in 1934. He held the Hunt served as a member of the Jefferson County
position of president for 27 years, making him the Bar for 67 years until his death, and had earned
longest serving president of Watertown Savings the distinction of being the oldest living member
Bank. of the Jefferson County Bar Association.
He guided the Watertown Savings Bank He was also interested in politics, and served
through nearly three decades of economic, social three successive terms in the New York State
and political changes. Mr. Hunt worked diligently Legislature starting in 1881, representing the
to establish the bank’s reputation and stability Jefferson County District as an assemblyman.
following the turn of the century, and at the
same time, significantly increased its assets and It was his role in state politics that led him to
customer base. form a friendship with Theodore Roosevelt. Mr.
Roosevelt was President of the United States
Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Hunt from 1901 to 1909. Prior to his presidency, Mr.
led the effort in 1921 to relocate WSB from its Roosevelt had served as governor of New York
original office to a much larger space inside the State from 1899 to 1900.

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