Albion Village President 1868-69. James W. Sheldon was Albion's prominent 19th century banker. He came to Albion Township with his parents in 1836. In 1856, James married Mary E. Peabody, daughter of Paul Tenney Peabody, Albion's first settler. Sheldon began his banking career as the bookkeeper for the Hannahs & Son Exchange Bank in the early 1850s. The Hannahs' sold the bank to James in 1858, and it became known as the James W. Sheldon Exchange Bank, which operated until his death in 1894. It was located at 304 S. Superior St. It was then reorganized into the Albion State Bank. Sheldon was active in community affairs, and was president of the Village of Albion from 1868 to 1870. He also served as a treasurer of Albion College for many years. He made his home on the second floor of the ornate Sheldon Block at the NW corner of Erie and Superior Sts, which is still standing today. James made a fortune in his life through his banking/loan livelihood and other investments. James' estate later provided the funds via his daughter Madelon Sheldon Riley Leffingwell, and grandson James Sheldon "Don" Riley for the erection of a new city hospital, which opened in May 1, 1924. It was called the James W. Sheldon Memorial Hospital, and operated until the new Albion City Hospital was opened in 1967.
Albion Village President 1868-69. James W. Sheldon was Albion's prominent 19th century banker. He came to Albion Township with his parents in 1836. In 1856, James married Mary E. Peabody, daughter of Paul Tenney Peabody, Albion's first settler. Sheldon began his banking career as the bookkeeper for the Hannahs & Son Exchange Bank in the early 1850s. The Hannahs' sold the bank to James in 1858, and it became known as the James W. Sheldon Exchange Bank, which operated until his death in 1894. It was located at 304 S. Superior St. It was then reorganized into the Albion State Bank. Sheldon was active in community affairs, and was president of the Village of Albion from 1868 to 1870. He also served as a treasurer of Albion College for many years. He made his home on the second floor of the ornate Sheldon Block at the NW corner of Erie and Superior Sts, which is still standing today. James made a fortune in his life through his banking/loan livelihood and other investments. James' estate later provided the funds via his daughter Madelon Sheldon Riley Leffingwell, and grandson James Sheldon "Don" Riley for the erection of a new city hospital, which opened in May 1, 1924. It was called the James W. Sheldon Memorial Hospital, and operated until the new Albion City Hospital was opened in 1967.
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