William C. Banks

Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia / Civil War
  • Military specialty: Unknown
  • Awards: Unknown

b. 26 Jul 1844; d. 29 May 1922.  William Carr Banks was born in Jefferson County, OH to James Monroe and Barbara (Kimmel) Banks.

On 3 Jul 1863, Pvt. William C. Banks, age 19, enrolled in Co. B, 2nd Rgt. Ohio Heavy Artillery. He saw active duty in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. He was mustered out 23 Aug 1865 in Columbus, OH.  See notes below.

After the war, he went to Illinois; Kansas; and Rochester, Minnesota, before coming to Cottonwood County, MN and homesteading section 28 of Lakeside Township.

On 14 Oct 1874, he married Bertha Odell; they had 1 son and William gained a step-son. The following years were ones of hardship.  Severe winters, a three-year-long grasshopper infestation, and no money forced William to go to the wooded area of Minnesota or Wisconsin to work in lumber camps to earn money to keep his family and buy seed. In 1878, he returned to stay.

William was one of the pioneers involved in raising corn and hogs and the growing of clover in southwestern Minnesota. About 1880, he began to raise sheep and from that time on was breeding and dealing in hogs, sheep, and cattle. He gradually enlarged his farm and by the time he retired from farming 1n 1890, he owned 640 acres.

In 1890, William and Bertha moved to Windom, MN until 1910, when they moved to Hudson, WI, to be near their son. In 1915, Bertha died, and William eventually moved with his son to Yakima, WA, where he resided until his death.

Buried at Lakeview Cemetery, Windom, MN.

See obituary at CCHS for a more detailed account of his life.

 

 

 

 

  • Obituary: Yes