Читать книгу Memoirs of Milwaukee County, Volume 3 - Josiah Seymour Currey - Страница 58

Placing correct valuation upon life and its opportunities and early recognizing the eternal principle that industry wins, Archer Gillett Langlois has made steady advancement in his business career until he is now the second vice president and cashier of the Park Savings Bank of Milwaukee. His youthful experiences were those of the farm -bred boy. He was born on a farm near Corliss, in Racine county, Wisconsin, July 20, 1878, and is a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Gillett) Langlois, the former a native of Guernsey, one of the group of Channel Islands and an English possession but Inhabited by the French. The father came to the United States in 1848 and settled in Racine county, Wisconsin, taking up his abode on a farm which remained his place of residence until his death in the fall of 1898. For six years he had survived his wife, who was born in this state and who passed away in 1892.

Archer G. Langlois was reared on a farm, early taking part in the work of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In the winter months he attended the country schools of District No. 1 in Racine county until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he started out in the business world as a bank clerk in Racine. There he obtained valuable lessons and training in banking and his faithfulness and loyalty to the interests which he represented were indicated in the fact that he remained in the institution altogether for about twenty years. Laudable ambition and desire for success prompted him, however, to reach out along broadening lines and in 1915 he organized the Park Savings Bank, which was capitalized for fifty thousand dollars. He sold the stock until it was all disposed of and on the 1st of December, 1915, he opened the bank for business, occupying the position of cashier and director. He has since guided the destiny of the institution to success and with the passing years the business has steadily and substantially grown. Since the bank was organized it has not lost a penny and under his direction the business has been established upon a sound basis. He has been exceedingly careful in his loans and investments and his conservative methods have brought to him the confidence and generous support of many patrons. Mr. Langlois had his best training and his credits through his connection with the Bradstreet Company as local representative, extending over a period of twelve years in Racine. This was an invaluable experience for him, enabling him to gain wide knowledge along lines that have been particularly helpful in the conduct of his present business. The new quarters which the bank is now occupying are the last word in bank equipment and convenience. Everything is thoroughly modern and up-to-date and the bank is one of the finest in the country in a city of this size, and in fact would be a credit to any city. It is supplied with burglar alarms, has large vaults with solid steel doors and every equipment to safeguard depositors and promote their convenience and comfort in transacting business. The present officers are: Jesse Cappon, president; Alexander Ritter, vice president; A. G. Langlois, second vice president and cashier; F. G. Exner, assistant cashier; and Elsie A. Riegger, chief clerk.

Mr. Langlois is married and has one child, Carol Elizabeth. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Masonic fraternity. He took a very active part in all war work, in the promotion of the Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives and the Milwaukee County Relief Fund, also in the Salvation Army and Y. M. C. A. drives. He received a certificate of distinguished financial service, which was given to him at the end of his war work. Mr. Langlois is recognized as a splendid organizer. He does things quickly, yet back of this is a thorough understanding of what he is attempting, for he is continually thinking out along lines that have to do with his chosen business and thus he is equipped for any emergency when it arises. He has the happy faculty of winning friends easily and of retaining their high regard through his capability and trustworthiness. He is always willing to assist others by his advice and many there are who have benefited by his wisdom and judgment in commercial matters.