Frank K. Houston

Frank K. Houston
Born	Template:Birth date Woodbury, Tennessee, U.S.
Died	October 19, 1973(1973-10-19) (aged 92) New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Banker, philanthropist
Known for	President and chairman of Chemical Corn Exchange Bank; President and chairman of Thomas Jefferson Foundation

Frank K. Houston (1881–1973) was a prominent American banker and benefactor. Originating from a Southern plantation in Tennessee, he occupied senior banking positions in both Nashville, Tennessee and St. Louis, Missouri during the early twentieth century. In 1920, Houston joined the Chemical Corn Exchange Bank based in New York City, where he served as president between 1935 and 1945, followed by his tenure as chairman and CEO from 1945 until 1947.

Early life

Born on July 4, 1881, Frank K. Houston entered the world on his family's plantation located in Woodbury, Tennessee. His father, William C. Houston, was a politician affiliated with the Democratic Party, and through his paternal lineage, Houston was connected to Sam Houston. Raised on the Beaver Dam Plantation, he completed his education at Vanderbilt University in 1904, where he held the position of president within the local chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

Career

In 1905, Houston was appointed secretary of the Tennessee Bankers Association. By 1908, he assumed the presidency of the Nashville branch of the American Institute of Banking. Between 1909 and 1912, he worked as first assistant cashier at the First National Bank in Nashville, Tennessee, before advancing to Vice President at Third National Bank in St. Louis, Missouri. His career progressed further in 1920 when he became vice president at the Chemical Corn Exchange Bank in New York City. He later led the institution as president from 1935 through 1945 and subsequently as chairman and CEO from 1945 to 1947.

Additionally, Houston held executive roles including president of the Bankers Club of America and was a member of the board for the Waldorf Astoria New York.

Philanthropy

Houston dedicated many years to leadership within the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which oversees Monticello. His roles included treasurer (1933–1943), vice president (1943–1944), president (1944–1958), and chairman (1958–1969). He also led the Cordell Hull Foundation, established to honor the former Secretary of State. Furthermore, Houston contributed to Vanderbilt University’s governance as a member of its Board of Trust and funded a banking professorship at its Graduate School of Management in 1969.

Personal life

Together with his wife Florence, Houston resided at Millan House, a cooperative apartment building situated at 116 East 68th Street on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

Death

At age ninety-one, Houston passed away on October 19, 1973, at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City.