History

Although it doesn’t claim the prominence of age that many of its neighbors in southeastern Nebraska do, Adams State Bank does have the distinction of being one of the state’s five-generation banks, as well as the honor of having a past president of the Nebraska Bankers Association as its President.

 

Founded in 1918 as one of three banks in the small town of 500 population located 20 miles northeast of Beatrice in the extreme northeastern corner of Gage County, Adams State Bank has been the lone survivor there for 100 years, serving the small community and surrounding agricultural area. The other two banks failed in 1922 and 1933.

 

Henry Gramann Sr. started the bank with his father-in-law, Chris Hennies, in 1918, with the latter as President and Henry as Cashier and Managing Officer. Mr. Hennies continued as President until his death in 1942, when he was succeeded in office by his son-in-law. When Henry Gramann Sr. died in 1969, his son, Henry Gramann Jr., who had been with the bank since the 1930s, succeeded him. Henry Gramann Jr. served as President of the Nebraska Bankers Association from 1968-1969 and served as President of the bank until 2001.

 

Henry Gramann Jr.'s two sons continue in management of the bank. Max, the current CEO and President, has been with the bank since 1964. Karl, who began working at the bank in 1977, is the Executive Vice-President and Cashier. Representing the fifth generation is Chris Gramann--Vice-President, Julie Kealy-Mortgage Loan Office, Joseph Gramann--Consumer-Ag Loan Officer and Jenny Lempka--Marketing.