Dexter Horton

Before his founding of the Bank of Dexter Horton in 1870 financial transactions were conducted by merchants.

After working as a mill hand for Henry Yesler he opened a general store.

A part of the business was making loans and accepting deposits from customers.

In 1870 Dexter Horton opened up the first business dedicated to serving as a bank.

He stuck it under a tree stump that he was trying to burn out and went off to lunch; Dexter Horton stopped by to warm the seat of his pants at the fire, and as it exploded, nearly became the last casualty of the battle of Seattle.