| Sources |
- [S11] Ancestors are Forever, A Ridenour Collection from 893 to 1997 AD, Melvin Otho "Mo" Ridenour, (http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/r/e/i/James-A-Reitnauer/FILE/0001text.txt), 1251, 1268, 1 Jan 2000.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 13 Sep 2007.
William Agee was honored on Monday night at National Bank of Tennessee.
(c)2007 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL William Agee was honored on Monday night at National Bank of Tennessee. The retired bank president was surprised with a birthday party for his 89th birthday. National Bank Board Chairman Dr. Fred M. Valentine, left, and Bank President Keith Ketterman, right, presented a plaque to Agee. The plaque is a representation of the one that now hangs on the wall of the Tennessee Bankers Association headquarters in Nashville commemorating more than 40 years banking service. In addition, Dr. Valentine announced that a $25,000 scholarship would be set up with the Cocke County Education Foundation in his honor.
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 16 Apr 2011.
Nona Ridenour Agee obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 14 Sep 2012.
Generations of families become compressed into moments
(c)2012 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL
William Max Agee, Bill to his friends, celebrated his 94th birthday on September 10. He was recently honored by his church, Providence Baptist and pastor Scott Gorrell, and Cocke County Mayor Vaughn Moore. I got a chance to meet Bill's family and make a special photo of him with his great granddaughter, Pyper Epley, who was celebrating her 8th week of life. She is the daughter of Molly Ford, the daughter of Jim and Terri Agee.
Author: David Popiel
At the middle of September the month is rapidly evaporating with drier air creating the perfect landscape for legions of yellow goldenrods and purple ironweed flowers about our hometown, as we get closer to the Autumn Equinox on the 22nd.
Everywhere I've look along roadsides I've seen new signs that may interest you, some of these attached to businesses and others hinting at directions to take. I've also learned a few things worth sharing such as birthdays, and where my future wanderings may take me. As a promise made to remind you, please make an effort to visit the local farmers market at the Tanner Building off Cosby Highway. During a summer visit I made many photos and share one here and more to come. I hope to entice you to make a visit and you will be surprised at the bargains and people you will meet, as I did.
Perhaps the highlights of last weekend were my reunion trip to the High Oaks Coon Club St. Jude fundraiser, Sept. 8, and the next day at Providence Baptist Church to make photos of Bill Agee. By chance Bill celebrated his 94th birthday on Sept. 10 so I was able to make a photo you see here for that special occasion. He got to hold and make baby talk with his 8-week-old great granddaughter, Pyper Ealy. Think about the span of time standing together at the altar of Providence Baptist Church where Bill has been active and important in securing the new church's future. And last week, according to the Kiwanis Club, Jim McSween and James Finchum celebrated birthdays Sept. 14. With the passing of Charlie Kickliter, former Kiwanis Club president, Jim, 82, and Reid Bailey, 92, are the oldest active Newport Kiwanians.
Allen Freeman on banking
Last week we visited with Allen Freeman and continue our story on his Aug. 31 retirement from National Bank of Tennessee. Allen talked about major bank changes, recently it has been home mortgage disclosure and the onerous reporting burdens brought on by the Great Recession since 2009.
His primary work and interest has been focused on making loans, something he has been doing well for more than 30 years. When he started, it was not uncommon for those wishing to borrow $100 or $200 to make an "oral application." This process probably went something like, "Can you loan me $200 until my tobacco crop comes in?" A handshake was the seal of the deal and promise to pay.
There were no credit checking agencies that could provide much data for rural areas because many people had no credit in what was much more a cash economy than in the 21st century credit economy. Allen recalls handing cash to people who were approved for a bank loan. It wasn't until some years later that loans were made via check that you could carry to the teller to cash.
"You knew people and if you didn't, somebody at the bank did. You knew their parents," he said. That's how he got his first $200 loan from the bank because the bankers knew his father, an honest hardworking man who paid his bills in cash. "Dad put his name on the dotted line."
Smaller consumer loans were popular at the busy bank, and in the 1960s and 1970s Newport Federal Bank then made only mortgage loans. M&P Bank did make consumer loans. NBT also made vehicle loans. "You could buy a new truck for a couple of thousand dollars. . . . A new Thunderbird for $3,000."
There were not many credit cards, people banked cash and borrowed cash and paid it back, too. Many of the borrowers were farmers, much like Allen remained through most of his life.
"We made a good many farm loans," tobacco especially as this was the cash crop once the tobacco warehouses got established with the help of folks like Col. M.M. Bullard. On cold November mornings when sales started at Planters or Tennessee Tobacco Warehouse, Allen and other bankers would be there offering hot coffee, pens, and hospitality.
It is a promotion and service that has disappeared but was well entrenched through the 1980s during the height of the tobacco industry. "You wanted them to deposit tobacco sales money. You gained new accounts and business."
Among the things that have made him the happiest during his banking career include his customers. Allen has gotten to know many people who are like family and friends. And he is pleased to provide some financial help to them. As you might suspect, a busy person at work also extends those habits away from work. He and his family have spent many years farming. Allen and Betty live off Old Greeneville Highway on a portion of farmland that is a small chunk of what used to be the Boyers farm.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 6 Sep 2013.
Bill Agee: Former bank president reflects on his 95 years
(C)2013 NPT PHOTO BY DUAY O'NEIL
Bill Agee, retired National Bank of Newport (now Tennessee) president, will celebrate his 95th birthday on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
Author: Duay O'Neil
NEWPORT-Bill Agee will turn 95 years old on Tuesday with an intact memory of nearly a century of living and working in Newport.
He was actually born in Lenoir City, where his father, William C. Agee, a native of Christiansburg, Virginia, worked for the "car works" on the railroad.
The senior Agee had come to Newport with the railroad and met Dora Lee Stuart, one of Newport's early telephone operators, whose switchboard was over Smith (now Wilson SavMor) Drugstore on the corner of McMahan Avenue and Main Street.
The couple had three children: Imogene, Bill, and Katherine.
Mrs. Agee died following Katherine's birth and the family returned to Newport. Young Bill was four years old, and the year was 1922.
They lived with Dora's parents, Isaac and Dora Stuart, in the second hours from the corner of Cosby Highway and Main Street-behind today's Walgreens and Long John Silver.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 17 Oct 2013.
Agee retires from National Bank of Tennessee
Author: Duay O'Neil
NEWPORT—A reception Sunday afternoon, October 20, from 2-4 p.m. at National Bank of Tennessee’s main office will honor longtime banker Bill Agee.
Agee, 95, recently announced his retirement from the bank’s board of directors, ending a banking career that started in the 1940s.
After returning from serving his country in the United States Air Corps, Agee first went to work at the Newport Mill in a clerical position.
Shortly after that, Merchants & Planters Bank hired him to train as a teller through a government program.
Agee, who had worked at Newport’s Winston Theatre prior to entering the service, left his ?rst banking position to return to his former position.
In the mid-1950s, when a group of local businessmen established National Bank of Newport, of?cials asked Agee to join the staff. The bank opened March 15, 1958 and Agee went to work on August 1, 1958.
Beginning as a general teller, Agee eventually began bank president, retiring from that position in 1987. Since then he has continued to serve on the bank’s board of directors.
The public is invited to Sunday’s reception. Refreshments will be served.
- [S112] Census, 1920.
Name: William N Agee
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census
Event Year: 1920
Event Place: Lenoir City, Loudon, Tennessee, United States
District: 149
Gender: Male
Age: 1
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Race (Original): White
Can Read:
Can Write:
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Son
Own or Rent:
Birth Year (Estimated): 1919
Birthplace: Tennessee
Immigration Year:
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Sheet Number and Letter: 27B
Household ID: 587
Line Number: 92
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number: T625
GS Film number: 1821751
Digital Folder Number: 004390410
Image Number: 00429
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head W M Agee M 35 Virginia
Wife Ella Agee F 33 Tennessee
Daughter Imegene Agee F 11 Tennessee
Son William N Agee M 1 Tennessee
- [S112] Census, 1930.
name: Billy Agee
event: Census
event date: 1930
event place: Newport, Cocke, Tennessee
gender: Male
age: 11
marital status: Single
race: White
birthplace: Tennessee
estimated birth year: 1919
immigration year:
relationship to head of household: Grandson
father's birthplace: Virginia
mother's birthplace: Tennessee
enumeration district number: 0013
family number: 134
sheet number and letter: 6B
line number: 67
nara publication: T626, roll 2238
film number: 2341972
digital folder number: 4548152
image number: 00268
Household Gender Age Birthplace
head Dora Stuart F 67 North Carolina
daughter Goldie Stuart F 35 Tennessee
granddaughter Imogene Agee F 21 Tennessee
grandson Billy Agee M 11 Tennessee
granddaughter Katherine Agee F 7 Tennessee
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 2 Mar 2015.
(September 10, 1918 - March 2, 2015)
U.S. Veteran William M. “Bill” Agee, age 96 of Newport, passed away Monday, March 2, 2015, at his home. He was a Charter Member and Lifetime Trustee of Providence Baptist Church. Mr. Agee was retired from the National Bank of Tennessee, where he had served as President for many years. He was a veteran having served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nona Agee; sisters, Katherine (Kitty) Smith and Imogene O’Dell. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Teri Agee of Morristown; daughter and son-in-law, Ella and Gary Ford of Newport; grandchildren, Josh (Ashely) Moore of Cosby; Molly Ford (Gary Ealy) of Newport; great-grandchildren, Brylee, Bradyn, and Brynli Moore and Pyper Ealy; and many friends. The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until 2:00 pm Wednesday, March 4, 2015 with funeral service following at 2:00 pm in Manes Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Scott Gorrell officiating. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery. Family and friends may sign the guest register on line at: www.manesfuneralhome.com Manes Funeral Home in charge.
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
groom's name: William C. Agee
groom's birth date:
groom's birthplace:
groom's age:
bride's name: Ella Kate Stuart
bride's birth date:
bride's birthplace:
bride's age:
marriage date: 20 Jun 1906
marriage place: Cocke, Tennessee
groom's father's name:
groom's mother's name:
bride's father's name:
bride's mother's name:
groom's race:
groom's marital status:
groom's previous wife's name:
bride's race:
bride's marital status:
bride's previous husband's name:
indexing project (batch) number: I03562-1
system origin: Tennessee-EASy
source film number: 1928642
reference number: 589
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