David Nicholas Fink, banker and oil man of Muskogee, was born August 4, 1868, in Russia, Shelby county, Ohio. His father, Henry David Fink, now eighty-four years of age, is residing in Spokane, Washington. His mother, Mrs. Clara Elizabeth Fink, nee Work, passed away in Vernon County, Missouri, in August, 1876.
The educational advantages of David Nicholas Fink were only such as the common schools afforded. He never had the opportunity of attending college and his life is a verification of the fact that no matter what the advantages of education one may enjoy he must essentially formulate and determine his own character. Intense industry, not special ability, makes most of our successful men what they are, and indifference is the principal cause of failure. Prompted by a laudable ambition to attain success, Mr. Fink made the best possible use of his opportunities from the time when he started out in the business world. His life has been divided into two periods One from 1886 until 1900, when he was identified with the hardware trade; and the other from 1900 to the present, in which time he has devoted his efforts to banking.
For twelve years he followed the hardware business in southwestern Missouri, traveling for the Simmons Hardware Company of St. Louis during two years of that time. In 1900 he organized what is now the First National Bank of Grove, Oklahoma, and in 1901 he came to the Commercial National Bank of Muskogee as its cashier. After serving in that position for some time he was elected to the vice presidency and is now the president.
In addition he is the president and one of the directors of the Citizens National Bank at Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, is the vice president and a director, of the First National Bank at Porter, Oklahoma, vice president of the First National Bank at Grove, Oklahoma, and chairman of the board of directors of the Guaranty Trust Company of Muskogee. Thorough organization, an even balance between conservatism and progressiveness and a close study of all the vital problems of banking, have been the salient features in placing David Nicholas Fink in a position of leadership in connection with the financial interests of the state. He is also closely connected with the Commercial Land Company, with the Barnes Oil Company and with oil properties in Louisiana and Oklahoma. In fact, in recent years he has become a well known figure in connection with the oil industry of the south and southwest.
On the 9th of February, 1898, in South West City, Missouri, Mr. Fink was married to Miss Lillian E. Beaty, a daughter of Mrs. Jennie Poison, and their children are : Dave Norvell, John Beaty, Elizabeth Alice and Frances Lillian.
Mr. Fink is of the Presbyterian faith, while his political belief connects him with the republican party. He belongs to Muskogee Lodge, No. 28, A. F. & A. M.; the Muskogee Chapter, No. 3, R. A.M.; Muskogee Commandery, No. 2, K T., of Oklahoma ; and he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in McAlester Consistory.
He is also a Mystic Shriner, belonging to Bedouin Temple of Muskogee and he is a representative of the Elks lodge of his home city. The nature of his recreation is indicated in his membership in the Muskogee Town and Country Club and the Sequoyah Fishing Club. For a period of twelve years he was a member of the Muskogee school board, during which time all of the original buildings of the public school system were erected, including the Central high school. He is a director and treasurer of the Oklahoma-Arkansas Railroad Company and a director of the Poteau Valley Railroad Company. He is also a director of the Oklahoma Coal Company and the Victor Building and Loan Association. His activities have made him a prominent factor in the material, intellectual, social and moral development of the city and state.