Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum window display depicting local banking history and its relation to the Kansas City Kemper banking giants will continue through April.
The window scene, featuring the Kemper family history and photos of Valley Falls bankers, banks, replicas of banking years' checks, etc., was prompted by the death of R. Crosby Kemper Jr. in January 2014.
R. Crosby Kemper Jr., great-grandson of Rufus Crosby, pioneer merchant and banker of Grasshopper-Valley Falls, Kan. The window scene of family portraits and facts serves as a reminder that Mr. Kemper's roots and legacy began in the pre-Civil War time frame.
Quoting the Kansas City Star: "When two brothers with Scot heritage, from Maine, Rufus Crosby and brother William first came to Kansas to buy dry goods they eventually settled in Grasshopper-Valley Falls.
"Mr. R. Crosby Kemper has been described as a towering personality (6 ft. 7 in.), banker, philanthropist, Kansas City civic and arts booster. For 30 years he led United Missouri Bank Financial Corp. succeeding his father. He grew the family bank into a regional power with billions in loans and assets. Since 2004, UMB has been in the hands of his son, the sixth Kemper to lead the bank."
R. Crosby Kemper was 86 at the time of his death.
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12.
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