Among the native sons of Laramie who have won prominence in the business circles of the city is Charles W. De Kay, the cashier of the First State Bank. He is honored and respected by all, not alone by reason of the success he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward business policy that he has ever followed, and though important interests are under his direction, he always finds time to cooperate in plans and measures for the general good and in all things is a public-spirited citizen.
    His father, the late Thomas Willett De Kay, was a native of Indiana and came to Wyoming in 1868. casting in his lot with the Laramie pioneers. He became one of the first lumber merchants of the city and remained in business here until his death, which occurred in 1874, when he was but twenty-seven years of age. He had married Tillie Wagner, a native of Missouri and a representative of one of the old families of that state who came of German ancestry. Mrs. De Kay had removed to Laramie with her brother. Henry Wagner, who was a pioneer merchant of the city, and here the marriage of the parents of Charles W. De Kay was celebrated. To them were born two children, the younger being Etta, who is now the wife of John Sandgren, of Laramie. The mother is still living in Laramie and is now the wife of H. L. Reger. By her second marriage she has two daughters: Katie, who is the wife of B. B. Hanger, a resident of Denver, Colorado; and Beulah, who is the wife of W. C. Weigel, who is located at Omaha, Nebraska.
    Charles W. De Kay pursued his education in the public and high schools of Laramie, being graduated on the completion of the high school course as a member of the class of 1887. He then made his initial step in the business world, his first position being that of an employe in the rolling mills of the Union Pacific Railway Company, After a short time, however, he became a messenger boy in the store of his uncle, Henry Wagner, with whom he continued for three years, serving in a clerical capacity during the latter part of that period. Subsequently he was made timekeeper in the master mechanic's office of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, continuing with that corporation for thirteen years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to the banking business, with which he became identified as bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Laramie. He remained with the bank from 1898 until 1913, a period covering almost fifteen years, and during the latter years of his connection with the institution served as assistant cashier. In June, 1913, he entered the First State Bank of Laramie as assistant cashier and in January, 1916, was advanced to the position of cashier, which position he yet fills. Long experience in banking well qualifies him for the onerous duties that devolve upon him and which are most capably discharged to the satisfaction of all of the directors and stockholders of the institution. He is a courteous and obliging official and is ever willing to extend the assistance of the bank to its patrons to a point that will not hazard the interests of the depositors.
    On the 17th of April, 1902, Mr. De Kay was united in marriage in Laramie to Miss Mabelle Land, a native of Canada and a daughter of S. E. and Jennie (Emory) Land. They have two children: Emory Willett, who was born in Laramie, April 24, 1903 ; and Charles Gordon, born May 29, 1905.
    In his political views Mr. De Kay is a democrat and fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is identified with the Chamber of Commerce and at one time he was a member of the school board of Laramie, while in other ways he has been active in civic matters. He is of the Episcopalian faith and his upright life has been guided by the teachings of the church. In a word he is a typical American citizen, interested in material, social, intellectual, political and moral progress and neglectful of his duties in none of these relations. Laramie may be proud to number him among her native sons by reason of the excellent record which he has made, and in that city not to know Charles W. De Kay is to argue one's self unknown.