From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 1049-1051
 
ANSEL HASTINGS KENDRICK.  The study of the life of the representative American 
never fails to offer much of pleasing interest and valuable instruction, 
developing a mastering of expedients which has brought about most wonderful 
results.  Ansel Hastings KENDRICK, well-known president of the Wisconsin State 
Bank at Delavan, is a worthy representative of that type of American character 
and of that progressive spirit which promotes public good in advancing 
individual prosperity and conserving popular interests.  He has long been 
prominently identified with the business interests of Walworth county, and 
while his varied affairs have brought him success that they also advanced the 
general welfare by accelerating industrial activity.
 
Mr. KENDRICK was born in Delavan, this county, March 13, 1851.  He is a son of 
Phineas Dudley KENDRICK and Esther Lamfire (GILBERT) KENDRICK.  The father's 
birth occurred in Heath, Massachusetts, November 26, 1820, and he died at Oak 
Park, Illinois, March 1, 1894.  He was a son of Ansel and Dorcas (SMITH) 
KENDRICK, the former born March 7, 1796, and died December 15, 1846; he and 
Dorcas SMITH were married on February 7, 1820; she was born August 23, 1801, 
and her death occurred at Oak Park, Illinois, April 20, 1890.  Esther Lamfire 
GILBERT was born in Hamilton, New York, September 15, 1818, and her death 
occurred at Oak Park, Illinois, May 2, 1898.  Ansel H. KENDRICK had one 
sister, but no brothers; she was born in Nunda, New York, August 28, 1845, and 
she married Frank Malaby ROCKWELL, now deceased.  She is living at Oak Park, 
Illinois.
 
Phineas D. KENDRICK, wife and daughter, came to Delavan, this county from 
Nunda, New York, about 1849.  Here he followed contracting and building until 
old age, and his death occurred at Oak Park, Illinois, on March 1, 1894.
 
Ansel H. KENDRICK grew to manhood in Delavan and here attended high school.  
His first employment was in the postoffice here, where he remained about two 
years, most of the time as acting postmaster, after the regular incumbent of 
the office had defaulted, he taking the place temporarily, but remained at the 
request of the bondsmen until 1871.  He then went into the National Bank of 
Delavan as a clerk.  Later he served as assistant cashier of this bank, and 
when the bank went into liquidation and was succeeded by E. Lattimer & 
Company, bankers, in 1880, he became their cashier, continuing in this 
position until the firm was succeeded by the Bank of E. Lattimer & Company in 
1903.  Mr. KENDRICK continued as cashier under the new arrangement, holding 
the position until July 13, 1908, when he was elected president of the bank, 
which position he has held to the present time, discharging his duties in a 
manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of 
the stockholders and patrons of the bank, the growing popularity of the bank 
being due very largely to his efforts.  He has kept well abreast of the times 
in all that pertains to the banking and commercial world, and is a 
painstaking, conservative and obliging gentleman whom to know is to trust and 
respect.
 
Mr. KENDRICK also handles a loan and fire insurance business, which is very 
successful.  He also finds time to take an active part in public affairs.  He 
has been president of the village board several terms, the last term being in 
1903.  He has been a member of the city council several years.  He was also a 
member of the county board of supervisors, and for twelve or fifteen years he 
was treasurer of the board of education, of which he was an influential 
member.  As a public servant he has discharged his duties in an able and 
conscientious manner.  He is a member of the Congregational church and was 
trustee of the same for many years up to January 1911.
 
The domestic life of Mr. KENDRICK began on September 30, 1875, when he was 
united in marriage with Lillian HOLLISTER, daughter of Cyrenus N. and Maria C. 
(LATIMER) HOLLISTER.  She was born on Rock Prairie, Darien township, this 
county, November 17, 1851, and there she was reared and she received her 
education in the local schools.  Her parents came here from Slaterville 
Springs, Tompkins county, New York, in an early day, making the trip by boat 
on the Great Lakes, to Milwaukee, thence by teams to Walworth county.  There 
were three brothers, Cyrenus, William and Lemuel HOLLISTER.
 
To Ansel H. KENDRICK and wife the following children have been born: Helen 
Hovey, born February 8, 1877, died in Delavan, February 26, 1879; Warren 
Dudley, born January 25, 1879, died in Delavan, March 31st of the same year; 
Florence, born May 15, 1880, lives at home with her parents.
 
The Wisconsin State Bank, of which the subject is president, was so named on 
November 1, 1911, being changed by the stockholder from Bank of E. Latimer & 
Company, and was approved by the commissioner of banking, having been a 
private bank for many years.  In 1903 it became a state bank under the name of 
Bank of E. Latimer & Company.  It was first organized as the Walworth County 
Bank in 1855, and was succeeded by the National Bank of Delavan in 1865, the 
firm of E. Latimer & Company succeeding to the same in 1880.  In February 
1910, the bank was moved to the elegant and substantial new building, built 
for the bank and occupied solely by it.  It is of pressed brick and stone, 
finished in dark green marble inside and fine, modern furnishings, a large new 
vault, with up-to-date safety devices, etc.  The capital and undivided profits 
are sixty thousand dollars, and the bank is in a flourishing condition, being 
one of the sound and popular institutions of this part of the state.  Besides 
Mr. KENDRICK the present officers are G. E. BARKER, vice-president; C. H. 
SHULZ, cashier, R. C. LILLIBRIDGE, assistant cashier.
 
Submitted by Carol