Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon." Vol. 2. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 85. BANK OF COMMERCE, EUGENE - C. D. Rorer and Leland S. Johnson One of the strong and influential financial institutions of the Willamette valley is the Bank of Commerce of Eugene, which has enjoyed a steady and substantial growth in popularity and in the volume of its business during the sixteen years of its existence The Bank, of Commerce was organized in August, 1911, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars and a surplus of ten thousand dollars, the first officers being G W Currie, president; Max Skibbe, vice-president and E. B. Carhart, cashier It was a state bank and was originally located at Eighth street and Willamette avenue, in the Hovey building. On July 3, 1912, J. L. Page became president and served two years, when he was succeeded by C. D. Rorer, who has served continuously since. E. A. McCornack became vice-president in 19] 4 and is still serving in that capacity. In 1912 Mr. Carhart was succeeded by B. B. Brundage as cashier, the latter gentleman serving until July, 1926, when he was succeeded by the present cashier, Leland S. Johnson. The capital was increased January 1, 1927. from fifty thousand dollars to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars with a surplus of twenty-five thousand dollars. Total resources are now well over a million and a half dollars. In September, 1925, the bank occupied its new building on Willamette avenue, between Eighth and Ninth streets, which they remodeled. The main banking room, which is forty-four by one hundred and fifty feet in size, is splendidly furnished and equipped and includes one of the best safety vaults in this section of the state. The reason for the remarkable prosperity which this well-known institution has enjoyed is well expressed in the slogan which appears on the bank literature, "The secret of our substantial growth is our substantial service." C. D. Rorer was born in Joplin, Missouri, on the 11th of August, 1878, and is a son of John and Emma Rorer. In 1893 the family moved to Oklahoma, where the father engaged in the milling business, and where his death occurred. C. D. Rorer secured a good public school education and in 1898 entered the First National Bark of Shawnee, Oklahoma, where he remained for some time, and then became assistant cashier of the Exchange National Bank, at Weatherford, Oklahoma. In 1903 he organized the Granite State Bank, at Granite, Oklahoma, of which he was cashier, serving until 1902, when he and Harry Mead organized the Bank of Commerce at Shawnee, of which he became cashier, subsequently being promoted to the position of vice president. In 1912 Mr. Rorer sold his interests in Oklahoma and, coming to Eugene, Oregon, bought an interest in the Bank of Commerce, of which he became vice president. Two years later he was chosen president, which position he still holds. He has devoted himself indefatigably to the interests of this bank and to his wise and conservative direction its prosperity is largely due. On December 27, 1905, Mr. Rorer was married to Miss Blanche Clark, of Denver, Colorado, and they are the parents of two children, Sarah Crawford and Emmajane. Mr. Rorer is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, the Chamber of Commerce and the Eugene Country Club. Politically he is an independent republican. A man of splendid personality, straightforward in manner and genial in his personal relations, he has attained a well-merited popularity throughout the range of his acquaintance and is a prominent figure in the business life of Eugene. Leland S. Johnson was born in Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, on the 6th of September, 1895. He completed the public school course and then entered the University of Wisconsin, where he was graduated in 1917. He then became identified with the pulp and paper business, entering the employ of the Consolidated Water Power & Paper Company, in the interests of which concern he spent two years in Ontario, Canada. He then came to Port Angeles, Washington, where he was connected with the Washington Pulp & Paper Company, but later came to Eugene and acquired an interest in the Western Oregon Securities Company, of which he became president and manager. In July, 1926, he became cashier of the Bank of Commerce, in which capacity he has made a very favorable impression on all who have come into contact with him, being alert and energetic in his methods and courteous and accommodating in his relations with the customers of the bank. In 1920 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Winnifred Bent, of Portland, Oregon, and they are the parents of three children, David, Richard and Ellen. Mr. Johnson is a veteran of the World war, having enlisted in January, 1918, in the United States air service, in which he became a flyer. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged. He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the American Legion, and also belongs to the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Eugene Country Club, of which he is president. He is a director and a member of the executive committee of the Spalding Pulp & Paper Company. He is recognized as a gentleman of marked business capacity and since coining to Eugene has won a high place in the confidence and good will of the people generally. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2016 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.