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Below is a brief autobiographical sketch written in 1942, when PTB was President of the First National Bank of Lincoln, Illinois. In 1952 he wrote a longer autobiography - click HERE. "Paul T. Betz. " Born February 9, 1897 on a farm in Polk County, Iowa. "Son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Betz.  "Resided on farm all while going through grade and high school. Attended Grinnell College at Grinnell, Iowa for 1 year, studying Liberal Arts. Attended night classes of the American Institute of Banking at Des Moines in 1923-24 & 25, acquiring the Standard Certificate and the Graduate Certificate in Credits there. Holder of Graduate School of Banking certificate from Rutgers University (Major in Commercial Banking Minor in Investments) in conjunction with American Bankers Association; completed course in June 1940. "Education was interrupted by enlistment in the U.S Army during world war, where I served for one year. "Upon being discharged from army was offered job as Bookkeeper in small country bank (Farmers savings bank at Grimes, Iowa) near Des Moines, which job I accepted. In 1926 that bank was merged with its competitor. "The quality of my work and ability in serving the interests of the depositors and shareholders of above bank attracted the attention of Banking Officials and Examiners, who immediately asked me to do some special work under the title of cashier at the First National Bank at Malvern, Iowa. "Upon completing the work at Malvern and being highly commended for it I was asked to go to Nashua, Iowa as cashier of the Nashua State Bank, which was in 1927. "In 1930 I resigned the position at Nashua and accepted a position as Assistant national Bank Examiner, later being commissioned an examiner. Examined banks in practically all parts of the Seventh Federal Reserve District (Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan) until January 1934 when I resigned that position to go to Lincoln, Illinois as Executive Vice President and ranking officer of the First National Bank which was at that time being organized at that place. Have been managing officer since then. "First National Bank in Lincoln has been built up from scratch to where its assts are currently about $2,700,000. Capital structure has been increased via the earned profits route from $120,000. to over $250,000. in addition to comfortable contingent reserves. The bank has an excellent reputation throughout central Illinois (and with Chicago and st. Louis bankers) for its conservative and constructive policies. "I am member of the council of Administration of the Illinois bankers Association, and also President of Group 8 which comprises ten counties. Was Vice President of the American Bankers Association for Illinois in 1937. "Am a member of the Board of Trustees of Lincoln College and the James Millikin University (these schools operate under same charter). "Married Bessie Troutner of Nashua, Iowa in 1929. Have two children: Barbara Anne aged 12, and David Paul aged 8. Active member of the Presbyterian church. Claim Iowa as my native state, and for which place I shall always have a tender spot in my heart." 
In retirement, Paul returned to his agrarian roots, and won many awards for his home-grown vegetables.
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