Originally opened as Farmers’ Bank of Ashtabula in 1848, the Farmers’ National Bank was the main bank of Ashtabula, Ohio. They had operated out of their original location from 1848 until 1900, when the decision was made to construct a new building. On December 1, 1900 the directors had purchased a building on Main Street (now Main Avenue) in downtown Ashtabula from H. L. Morrison. At the time of purchase, there had been some major paperwork overlooked. The occupant at the time, Oliver Henson, still had two years left on his lease and he refused to move. Henson operated Oliver Henson’s Tonsorial Parlors, which at the time was a fancy name for a barber shop, which offered extras. In the spring of 1903, Henson moved his barber shop to a new location further down Main Street and his building was demolished to make way for construction of the new bank. On June 25, 1903 ground was broken to begin construction on the 22×110’, two story building.

The building was to have a stone front, and be very ornate, complete with a stained glass ceiling. The glass in this ceiling came from the Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company. Louis Comfort Tiffany had manufactured glass in over 5,000 colors, and was revered as the best stained glass manufacturer in the world. The structure was built of Indiana limestone in a Grecian design. At the front of the building, two Corinthian columns were placed. The interior displayed finely crafted mahogany and stained Giavona glass windows throughout. The floors were built of English veined Italian marble.

The bank offered conveniences to its customers including a restroom, telephone booth, two coupon rooms offering seclusion so that they may look over their papers, and a waiting room. One of the larger cut stones that was to be part of the front of the building was damaged during unloading at the Nickel Plate Freight House, and another had to be ordered. This caused a slightly delayed time in the construction. In 1904 there was no such thing as air conditioning, however the bank was built with a large vent on the roof. This ventilator helped move air through the building to keep it cool during hotter weather. The building sported both electric and gas lighting, and private restrooms and lockers for employees.

On June 11, 1904 a sidewalk was laid in the front of the building. This original sidewalk was later replaced by a heated sidewalk sometime around 1956, when the bank was expanded and remodeled.

August 20, 1904, fourteen months after construction had begun, the bank held an official open house. People came from all over to the opening ceremony to view the building’s incredible architecture, marveling at its arched stained glass ceiling, carefully laid tile floor, and intricate details carved in stone and wood. The building also held the largest vaults in Ashtabula County. Throughout the night, an orchestra played while refreshments were served to guests as they wandered the structure.

Hon. Orramel Fitch – only child of Azel and Fanny Fitch was born on January 12, 1803 on Goshen Hill in the town of Lebanon, New London County, Connecticut­. Fitch is credited with aiding in the organization of the Farmers’ Bank of Ashtabula.

In the spring of 1824 he began studying law at the offices of Augustus Collins, Esq., in Westfield, Massachusetts. He remained there for two years before traveling to Norwich, Connecticut and entering the law office of the Hon. Calvin Goddard; one of the most notable lawyers in the state at that time. He remained here until March 16, 1827. Upon receiving his license to practice law in the courts of the state, he left on a journey to Ohio. He reached Cleveland on May 13, 1827. Upon arrival, he spent about a year in Canton until his parents had suggested he move to the northern area of the state, where manners and customs of people were similar to their own; mainly due to most being of New England descent. He had found a place near Lake Erie in Ashtabula after having heard great things about the growth of the city. He moved into the city on March 29, 1828. His parents followed soon after in the fall of 1829, and had resided with him for the remainder of their lives. His mother died on October 19, 1831, but his father survived her for many years, passing on September 10, 1842.

In 1832, Fitch was elected Justice of the Peace, and held this position for nine years. Within this time, he was also elected in both 1837 and 1838 to represent the county in the State Legislature, and while up for a re-election at the end of his second term, he had declined. In 1835, he was married to Miss Catharine M. Hubbard; the only daughter of William Hubbard, Esq.

Orramel Fitch practiced law in the city of Ashtabula for years on his own until entering into a co-partnership with M. M. Sawtell in 1838. His son, Edward H. Fitch, would follow in his footsteps. Later in life Edward would graduate from Williams College in 1860, shortly after his mother’s death on November 29, 1859. He then became associated with his father in business until January 1863 until taking the place of Judge Horace Wilder and retiring entirely from the practice of law.

During 1841-1842, Fitch was Prosecuting Attorney for the county. During political nominations, Fitch remained quiet and on the sidelines. He was raised with the beliefs that one should never flaunt their claims or fitness for something before the people. He had never electioneered for himself, and was never present at political nominating conventions when he was a candidate.

Fitch had a great interest in doing all he could to help the town he had grown to love, and for many years was one of the most active and efficient supporters in the area. In 1848, he aided in the organization of the Farmers’ Bank of Ashtabula. He would then be elected as a member of its first board of directors, and only a year later was elected as president. He held office as president of the bank up until 1861. After his position as president, he had secured the establishment of the Lake Erie Female Seminary in Painesville (now known as Lake Erie College). He had remained a member of its first Board of Trustees until his death on September 17, 1882. He was 79 years old.

Throughout a large portion of his life, Fitch had a great interest in keeping the history of Ashtabula County alive. He had aided in the perfecting of two important public highways – the plank road, and the Erie road. He documented the history of Ashtabula County with assistance from G. Williams in hopes to keep it alive for future generations. At the time of his death, he was also president of the Ashtabula County Pioneer Association.

The Farmers’ National Bank had printed $1,462,250 worth of national currency over a 71-year printing period, which ended in 1935. They printed 500 sheets of $1 original series national bank notes, which are now extremely rare if you should come by one. Another rare bill produced by Farmers’ was a $2 bill known to collectors as a lazy deuce. They printed 500 sheets of this bill as well, and any of these printed before 1875 are incredibly rare and highly desirable for collectors. These two were just among many that the bank printed. Other bills printed by them include:

– 5,000 sheets of $5 original series national bank notes
– 2,600 sheets of $10 original series national bank notes
– 2,600 sheets of $20 original series national bank notes
– 2,750 sheets of $5 series of 1875 national bank notes
– 3,540 sheets of $10 series of 1875 national bank notes
– 3,540 sheets of $20 series of 1875 national bank notes
– 7,029 sheets of $10 1882 brown back national bank notes
– 7,029 sheets of $20 1882 brown back national bank notes
– 600 sheets of $50 1902 red seal national bank notes
– 600 sheets of $100 1902 red seal national bank notes
– 1,149 sheets of $50 1902 blue seal national bank notes
– 1,149 sheets of $100 1902 blue seal national bank notes
– 1,350 sheets of Type1 1929 $5 national bank notes
– 684 sheets of Type1 1929 $10 national bank notes

The bank remained in operation at this location for many years until moving out in 1976 to a new building that they had built down the street. The old building was converted to a restaurant. It later found a third life as yet another restaurant on June 28, 1995, when Oscar and Alexandra Tomasio purchased the building with plans of turning it into Casa Capelli.

Casa Capelli closed in 2017 after 22 years in business. Oscar Tomasio has said that he is not “retiring” but moving to the “next stage” in his life. This will allow him and his wife, Alexandra to travel to Peru and write a cookbook, as well as spend more time with his grandchildren.

Oscar Tomasio had previously worked for British Petroleum in Cleveland, but fell in love with Ashtabula on a visit with his family. Soon after, they sold their home in Medina and moved to Ashtabula to open their restaurant. In a concept to offer a variety of foods, Casa Capelli offered mainly Mexican and Italian cuisine, among some other options. This decision came from a history of dinners with his children, who would rarely ever be able to decide on one restaurant.

Tomasio was born in Lima, Peru and had come to the United States at the age of 18. Upon arrival, he had enrolled in the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in business administration. While attending college, he would meet his future wife, Alexandra. They met while both working at the same restaurant – he was a cook, and she was a server.

Numerous fundraising events took place over the 22 years that Casa Capelli operated. A lot of these events helped greatly in serving the community, supporting local organizations, including Ashtabula Medical Center and the Ashtabula Downtown Development Association, of which Tomasio is a founding member. In the past, he had served as the association’s vice president, but is now on the board of directors. Tomasio is also credited as the creator of the Greater Ashtabula Chamber of Commerce “Ashtabula County Coupon Book.”

Casa Capelli officially closed on May 27, 2017. The building now awaits an interested buyer with a passion for doing something community-oriented within Ashtabula.

I want to thank Oscar for allowing me to photograph the building on a cold March day in 2019. It was great to hear his stories, and have the opportunity to meet someone with such a positive, community-focused attitude. It was great to meet him and some of his family that day.

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