Pub. 4 2015 Issue 7

l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s 14 THE HORTON FAMILY OF FARMERS BANK & TRUST RECEIVE THE KBA “CENTURY OF FAMILY BANKING” AWARD By KBA President Chuck Stones O NE OF THE GREAT STRENGTHS OF THE banking industry in Kansas is the fact that many of our banks have remained under the leadership of the same family for many, many years. In order to recognize those families, the KBA created a special award– “A Century of Family Banking” – to be given to those banks where members of the same family have held positions of leadership in their bank for a century or more. Farmers Bank & Trust began as Farmers National Bank on October 17, 1914. There, as a founding member of the Board of Directors and one of six people making an initial deposit was W.R. Horton, Sr. At that initial Board meeting, W.R., Sr. was named President of the bank. He held that position until 1949. He was succeeded as President by W.R. Horton, Jr. W.R., Jr., (Bill) served as President until 1959. He served as President until his death in 1980, at which time his wife, Mary Ellen was named CEO. It is nice to remember our ancestors, but it is a privilege and a pleasure to share the accomplishments and triumphs of our friends and colleagues who are still active and continuing a family legacy. Barney Horton assumed the top leadership spot at the bank in 1989, marking the third generation of Horton leadership. Barney has also been an active member of the Kansas banking community, serving on many committees of the KBA and on the Board of Directors, as well as holding the position of Chair of the KBA Trust Division. He continues to serve in helping the KBA develop its position on Federal legislation and regulations as a member of the Federal Affairs Committee. Barney and his wife Cathy also raised their four children in Atwood and have long been instrumental in supporting their community – a loyalty reflected by Farmers Bank & Trust. As co-founder of the Atwood Second Century Fund, the bank has provided great sponsorship and provision to groups and individuals. They continue to magnify opportunities in the towns they’ve added branches. 1994 brought the purchase of the Brewster National Bank. And in 1999, an old implement building was transformed into a bank in Oberlin. As many small towns struggle with keeping Main Street alive, Farmers Bank & Trust has brought new life to old buildings and created greenspaces and gathering places for community events. Today, while Barney serves as CEO and Cathy as Secretary to the Board, a fourth generation of Horton family leadership