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David Harris McKee, prominent in banking circles of Iowa, attaining prestige because of his close application, his thorough mastery of every detail of the business, and his recognition and utilization of opportunity, is now president of Danville State Savings Bank, of Danville; cashier of the Citizens' State Bank, of Mediapolis; bank examiner for the State of Iowa; and president of the Bankers' Association of the State. The honors which have been accorded him have been worthily won and worn, and he ranks today with the representative men of the Middle West whose enterprise has been the resultant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country. He was born Aug. 27, 1869, in Washington county, Iowa, his parents being Samuel E. and Hannah (Harris) McKee. He attended the public schools of his native county, and afterward pursued an academic course, which was completed by graduation with the class of 1888. His father was the founder of the institution in which he ended his school life.
After putting aside his textbooks he engaged as a clerk in the Washington National Bank, with which he was identified for about seven years; and Jan. 1, 1896, came to the Citizens' State Bank, of Mediapolis, as cashier, being selected for the position by its founder, Mr. Thomas. He has since acted in that capacity, and the success of the institution is largely attributable to his efforts. The bank was organized in 1896 by John L. Thomas, who has since occupied the presidency, while the other officers are, Joseph Barton, vice-president: D. H. McKee, cashier; and M. C. Bridwell, assistant cashier. These gentlemen constitute the board of directors, together with S. J. Huston, J. L. Jones, John T. Beckman, Henry Breder, Herman Walker, August F. Peterson, O. F. Higbee, W. S. Husted, Herman Myers, and W. D. Hutchcroft. The statement of the condition of the Citizens' State Bank at the close of the business year ending Feb. 16, 1905, was as follows:
With ready recognition and utilization of opportunity, David H. McKee was the promoter and organizer of the Danville State Savings Bank, of which W. H. Hurlbut was chosen the first president; but in the second year Mr. McKee was elected president, and has since occupied that position, with J. H. Dodds as vice-president, and George H. Giese, Samuel Nau, A. P. Caldwell, B. W. Shepherd, and Woods M. Irwin as directors. follows:—
That Mr. McKee has been instrumental in organizing and promoting two of the strong financial concerns of eastern Iowa, brought to him the recognition and appreciation of other representatives of the same line of business activity, and led to his appointment as treasurer of the Iowa Bankers' Association in 1903. In 1904 he was chosen vice-president, and in June, 1905, he was elected to the presidency of the association. On Jan. 1, 1903, he was made State bank examiner, and is still filling that position.
In fraternal relations he is a Mason, having been identified with the lodge in Mediapolis since 1897. Perhaps no better indication of his character and standing in banking circles can be given than to quote from the pamphlet published by the Iowa Bankers' Association, June 15, 16, 1904. In the course of the meeting, when the election of officers was in process, Mr. Van Vechten, addressing the chair, said:—
"I desire to place in nomination one whom we know very well, and who is highly regarded by every member of the association, Mr. David H. McKee, of Mediapolis, who served us so efficiently as treasurer during the last year."
Mr. Bolch: "I desire to second the nomination."
Mr. Young: "I desire to say a word in seconding that nomination. The name of D. H. McKee is very pleasantly associated with my life as a banker. Like some others of you gray-haired men here, a part of my duties has been to educate into the banking business the boys of my town. Among them, a few years ago — and I won’t tell how many, for you might then guess David's age — a white-haired boy applied for a position in the bank I have been connected with for many years. We gave him a minor position in that bank, which he filled so well that from day to day he advanced in his work, and came to be known by others as worthy of a better position than we gave him. They sought his services, and he has built up in an adjoining town a fine business, and has become, I can say, a fine banker. He has served you well as your treasurer. I feel I am a kind of father to Dave, and I could not refrain from asking the privilege of heartily seconding that nomination." (Applause.)
Mr. Jordan: "I move that the secretary be instructed to cast the unanimous ballot of the association for Mr. McKee as our vice-president."
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