Erastus F. Gould
Erastus Franklin Gould | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Oswego County, New York, U.S. |
| Died | June 2, 1896 (aged 73) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, financier, banker |
| Years active | 19th century |
| Known for | Founding the Traders Bank of Atlanta; commissioning the Traders Bank Building (Gould Building) in Atlanta |
Erastus Franklin Gould (July 1, 1822 – June 2, 1896) was a prominent 19th-century American entrepreneur and financier. Originating from Oswego County, New York, he established a successful banking career in Minneapolis, Minnesota before moving to Atlanta, Georgia in 1886.
Early life
After relocating to Minneapolis, Gould found considerable success within the banking sector. In 1886, he made a strategic move to Atlanta, where he played a key role in founding the Traders Bank of Atlanta. This institution received its charter on October 24, 1887, and officially commenced operations on November 1, 1888. Among the co-founders were notable figures such as Hugh T. Inman and Clifford Anderson. In 1887, Gould oversaw the construction of the bank’s headquarters on Decatur Street. This seven-story structure, known as the Traders Bank Building, was recognized as Atlanta’s inaugural office skyscraper. Following the bank’s rebranding in 1890, the edifice was renamed the Gould Building. Additionally, Gould commissioned a residence situated in Inman Park along Edgewood Avenue, famously called "Gould's Marble Palace" due to its extensive use of Georgia marble.
Later life and death
Gould passed away on June 2, 1896, in Atlanta and was laid to rest in a mausoleum at Oakland Cemetery. The Gould Building itself was taken down in 1935.