had served with entire satisfaction for five or six years. He kept the
post office in the "Old Pella Store," which for years was located on
Washington street, one block west of the Van Stigt corner. His successor
was W. L. Baston, who moved the office to the present location of C.
Cole's flour store, just west of the American House. In 1856 P.
Barendregt received the appointment and kept the office on West Franklin
street about two-thirds of a block west of the square and on the south
side of the street. On the resignation of Barendregt in 1861 J. M.
Huiskamp was appointed and he moved the office to the east side of the
square, at about the same location of the present office.

THE FIRST BANK IN PELLA

Another important development was that of banking facilities which
commenced in the years 1855-56, when Rev. Scholte, who had brought the
first printing press to Pella, now also provided the first banking
accommodations for the needs of the community. In 1855, under the firm
name of Scholte & Grant, he established an ex change office, where some
of the purposes of a bank were offered to the business concerns of
Pella. It was not until 1857, however, that a regular banking
institution was organized. This was known as the "Central Exchange &
Land Office," organized and managed by H. P. Scholte, P. H. Bousquet and
John Nollen. After a short time the name of this institution was changed
to the "Pella Savings Institution," incorporated under the laws of Iowa
by P. H. Bousquet and John Nollen. Starting in a year of great panic and
business depression, with bank failures almost a daily occurrence, it is
to the credit of this institution, and because of the absolute faith of
the entire community in the ability and integrity of Cashier John
Nollen, that this young financial institution weathered the storms that
shipwrecked so many older and richer banks. The confidence thus shown in
Mr. Nollen by the entire community was not misplaced and never suffered
a moment' s change throughout his long career as a leading banker of
Pella. That he was a tower of strength to the financial interests of
Pella and one of the chief factors in building up the old "Pella
National Bank" is a tradition in this community.

From the humble beginning in 1857 of the "Central Exchange & Land
Office" was developed the solid and important banking concern, known as
the Pella National Bank, which after 67 years of continuous and
successful business is still known as the oldest and one of the leading
banking institutions of Pella. Through the courtesy of the present
officials of the bank we are enabled to give below a statement of the
first day's banking done in Pella.

TRANSCRIPT OF FIRST DAY'S BANK IN DONE IN PELLA
Deposit & Check Book, No.1

Central Iowa Exchange, Land & Collecting Agency

May 15, 1857
Deposits
James Muntingh - 204.40 Cy.
Parker's Express - 32.25
Henckle & Co., per J. Nollen -231.45 Cy.
J. Nollen - 46.94
J. Muntingh - 25.00 Cy.
540.04

May 15, 1857
Checks
H. P. Scholte - 219.75 Cy.
Gazette Office - 40.09
By Balance - 280.20
540.04