J. Freer McCluggage, cashier of the Rose Hill State Bank, was born in Manito, Ill., April 28, 1880. He is a son of Dr. J. R. and Clara J. (Todd) McCluggage. A sketch of Dr. J. R. McCluggage appears in this volume. J. Freer McCluggage is one of a family of four children, born to Dr. McCluggage and his wife; Thomas Todd, a druggist at Valley Center, Kans.; J. Freer, the subject of this sketch; DeWitt K., a bookkeeper in Brown's bank, Augusta, Kans.; Clarence A., a professor in a Business College at Grand Island, Neb.

J. Freer McCluggage was educated in the public schools of Douglass

and graduated from the Douglass High School in the class of 1898. He then entered the State Bank of Douglass as a clerk, remaining in that capacity for one year, when he entered the employ of the National Bank of Commerce at Stillwell, Okla. After remaining with that institution, he returned to the State Bank of Douglass in the capacity of assistant cashier, and two years later, or in 1906, he came to Rose Hill, and assisted in organizing the Rose Hill State Bank, and became its cashier.

The Rose Hill State Bank was organized with a paid up capital of $10,000 and commenced business August 18, 1906. It has a surplus fund of $10,500 and the bank owns its own fixtures and building, valued at $3,300. This institution has had a rapid and substantial growth from the start, and a reference to its statements for the past ten years, or during its existence, shows that on March 25, 1907, when the bank was about seven months old, the deposits were $41,054.86, and March 24, 1916, the deposits had reached $110,973.87. While this institution has had a rapid growth, its management has never lost sight of the fact that strength of a financial institution is more important than its size, and their custom has always been to follow, safe and conservative banking methods. Some of the best business men in Rose Hill and vicinity, are identified with this bank, the officers of which are as follows: James J. McCluggage, president; W. N. Harris, vice president; J. F. McCluggage, cashier; and F. J., assistant cashier. The directors are: James McCluggage, S. J. McCullough, W. N. Harris, O. N. Cramer, John Scott, Dr. J. A. Barkalow, and J. F. McCluggage.

J. Freer McCluggage was married in 1905, to Miss Pearle E. Cole, of Douglass, Kans. Her father, Fred Cole, died when Mrs. McCluggage was about two years of age. He was a Butler county pioneer and an early settler at Douglass. He was extensively engaged in the sheep industry during his successful career in this county. His widow, Mrs. Temperance Cole, now resides at Douglass. Mr. and Mrs. McCluggage have three children, as follows: Marston; Max Elton, and Rex Cole. Mr. McCluggage is a man who has had a successful career in the banking business, and his vast experience has given him an opportunity to study the intricate problems of finances upon which he is unusually well informed. He is conservative enough for safe banking and at the same time progressive enough for the profitable investment of funds intrusted to his direction.

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