Founder of City National Bank and the Oklahoma and Arkansas Telephone company, I.H. Nakdimen died at the age of 73 on April 19, 1943 in his apartment in the Goldman Hotel. Born in Grodno, Russia on Sept. 15, 1871, he immigrated to the United States as a boy.

Nakdimen began his business career in this region as a merchant in Muldrow, Okla., then rose rapidly as a banker. At one time, he was president and owner of 16 banks. Although remembered chiefly as a banker, Nakdimen also owned a chain of newspapers for several years and served as president of the Fort Smith-Van Buren Bridge District. He organized City National Bank in Fort Smith in 1914, locating it first in offices on South Sixth Street then later moving them to building at 612 Garrison Ave.

Nakdimen also was a member of:

• the Scottish Rite Masons, Belle Point Lodge No. 20.
• the Woodmen of the World;
• the Independent Order of Odd Fellows;
• the Fraternal Order of Eagles;
• and the United Hebrew Congregation.

Source: "Local Banker Dies Monday Afternoon at Apartment," Southwest Times Record, April 20, 1943. This date is approximate. The source is an undated clip in a scrapbook in the archives of the Fort Smith Historical Society.