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George Lovell Banks Research

Research page for George L. Banks.

Personal Facts

Non-military Timeline

13 October 1839 — born in Lake County, Ohio.
1845 — moved with family to Center Township, Laporte County, Indiana
1850 — Was in Center Township, LaPorte County, Indiana for the 1850 census.
after Oct 1853 — moved with family to Lake County, Indiana.
1856 — Moved to St. Anthony Falls, Michigan.
1857 — Worked in the timber industry in the woods of northern Michigan.
1860 — Was in Hobart Township, Lake County, Indiana for the 1860 census.
9 October 1864 — Returned home to Lake County, IN from the war.
8 or 9 October 1864 — Married Olive Chandler.
14 August 1865 — William Nathaniel born.
13 October 1866 — Charles Bolser born.
1870 — Was in Hobart Township, Lake County, Indiana for the 1870 census.
1871 (May?) — Moved to Fawn Creek Township, Montgomery County, Kansas for approx. 15 y.
29 December 1873 — Arthur Allen born.
About 1876 — Justice of the Peace in Fawn Creek Township, Kansas for two terms.
1880 — Was still in Fawn Creek Township for the 1880 census.
1882 — Retired as Justice of the Peace.
About 1882 — Became Fawn Creek Township Trustee, KS.
Late 1886 — Moved to Angola, Steuben County, Indiana and became a hotel owner there.
Spring 1887 — Traded his hotel property in Angola for farmland in nearby Camden Township, Hillsdale County, Michigan.
1888 — Banks biography published in Portrait and biographical album of Hillsdale County, Mich.
1892 — Returned to Montgomery County, Kansas to farm.
1894 — Listed in the Coffeyville, Kansas G.A.R. post number 153.
1894 — Moved into town in Independence, Kansas.
1896 — Moved to Independence Township, Montgomery County to farm.
1900 — Still in Independence Township for the 1900 census.
1903 — Returned to town, Independence, KS. Lived at 417 North Fifth Street.
1903 — Banks biography published in History of Montgomery County, Kansas, By Its Own People by L. Wallace Duncan.
20–21 August 1903 — Present at the 37th national encampment of the G.A.R. in San Francisco representing Kansas.
1904 — Married Helen Josephine Clarkson Shoemaker.
1905 — Elected Kansas State representative from Montgomery County for two terms.
1910 — Still living at 417 North Fifth Street, Independence for the 1910 census.
1915 — Donated land in Graydon, Chambers, Texas to build a school.
1917 — Listed in the McPherson G.A.R. post number 4 in Independence, Kansas.
1918 — Banks biography published in A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans by William E. Connelley.
1920 — Still living at 417 North Fifth Street, Independence for the 1920 census.
20 August 1924 — Died.

Family Facts

Parents

Orin and Olive (Brown) Banks (Chapman, Connelley)
    Natives of Schoharie County, N. Y (Chapman, Duncan, Connelley).
    Orin born 25 Jan 1803 (Duncan). Born in 1800 (Connelley)
    Olive born 12 Mar 1805 (Duncan). Born in 1803 (Connelley)
    Orin of Scots-Irish ancestry (Chapman, Duncan)
    Orin was a farmer (Connelley).
    Orin was a member of the Democratic Party, until the formation of the Republican Party, at which time he joined that party (Connelley).
    Orin served in various township office in Lake County, Indiana (Connelley).     Olive of English ancestry (Chapman, Duncan)
    Married in 1823 (Chapman, Duncan). In Schoharie County, N. Y (Connelley)
    Orin and Olive were members of the Baptist Church. Orin was a church deacon. (Connelley)
    Orin died 29 Oct 1857 (Chapman, Duncan) in Lake Co., IN (Duncan). Died in 1856 (Connelley)
    Olive died 27 Jan 1887 (Chapman, Duncan) in Lake Co., IN (Duncan)

Siblings

Had 11 siblings (Chapman), 8 of whom were still alive in 1888 (Chapman).
    Charles, Morgan, Elisha, Parley, Mary C. (wife of Balser Keith), William A., Nathaniel P., Sarah L. (wife of William Adams). (Chapman)
    Charles of Salina KS, Elisha of McPherson KS, Parley of Lake Co. IN, Mary C. (wife of Simon White) of LaPorte Co. IN, Nathaniel P. of Lake Co. IN, Sarah L. (wife of W. B. Adams) of Montgomery Co. KS. (Duncan)
    Betsey, wife of Major Atkins, died in Lake County, Indiana, 1866, her husband having long survived her and having been a farmer and capitalist of influence. Charles W., a lawyer, died 1907, Chambers County, Texas. Morgan, farmer and merchant, died in McPherson County, Kansas, 1890. Elisha, representative farmer in McPherson County KS, died 1906. Parley A. retired farmer, resides Crown Point, Lake County, Indiana. Mary C. first married Balsar Keith, a farmer, near Union Mills, Indiana, and after his death she became the wife of Simon White, likewise a prosperous farmer of LaPorte County, Indiana. He likewise is deceased and his widow now resides at LaPorte, that county. William A., died LaPorte, Indiana, 1903, served six years as postmaster of that city, leading importer of live stock in that section of IN. George L., was the next in order of birth. The next two children were sons, both died in infancy. Nathaniel P. president of a bank, Hobart, Lake County, IN. Sarah Lavina wife of W. B. Adams, resides Dearing, Montgomery County, KS, Mr. Adams is vice president of a bank. (Connelley)

Spouses

Wife 1: Miss Olive "Ollie" Chandler (Chapman, Duncan). Olive W. Chandler (Connelley, Kansas)
    Married on 9 October 1864 to George Banks. (Chapman, Duncan). On 8 October (Connelley). Married 38 years (Duncan). Married in Lake County, Indiana (Kansas)
    Born in Caledonia County, VT, in Aug 1842.(Chapman). Caledonia County, VT, on 25 Aug 1842 (Duncan). A native of Vermont (Kansas).
    Mother's parents were "Thomas P. and Betsy Chandler" (Chapman). Thomas P. Chandler and Betsy Woodmanse (Duncan). Betsy was deceased by 1888 (Chapman). Parents from Vermont (Duncan).
    Died while living on the farm near Bolton, Montgomery, Kansas (Connelley).
    Died on 12 December 1902 (Duncan). In 1902 (Connelley).

Wife 2: Helen Josephine Clarkson Shoemaker, widow of Phillip "Philo" Shoemaker (Connelley, Clarkson). She was still living in 1918 (Connelley). Seemed to be still alive in 1932 (second source).
    Married on 12 October 1904. (KS Marriages)

Children

From wife 1: William N., of Montgomery County, Kan. (b. 1865), Charles B. (b. 1866), and Arthur A. (b.1873) (Chapman, Duncan, Connelley). Were all in Montgomery Co. Kansas in 1903 (Duncan).


Employment Facts

  • In public schools in Lake and LaPorte counties to the age of 17. (Connelley). Farmed with his father to that age (Connelley).
  • Worked in a sawmill at St. Anthony Falls in what would become part of Minneapolis, at age 17, beginning in 1856. (Connelley)
  • Worked in the timber industry in the woods of northern Michigan in 1857. (Connelley).
  • Returned to Lake County, Indiana before 1860 and worked digging drainage ditches, and then as a clerk in a grocery store and a dry-goods store (Connelley).
  • Farmer (Kansas State Library, Duncan, Kansas). Began farming in Lake County, IN just before the civil war (1861) (Connelley). Continued farming in Indiana after the war (Connelley). Listed on the censuses of 1860, 1870, 1880, and 1900 as a farmer.
  • First clerk of school district No. 91 in Montgomery County, KS (Fawn Creek Twp.) (Duncan)
  • Hotel owner in Angola, Indiana (starting Dec 1886, remaining "only a short time.", Duncan) (to spring 1887, Chapman, Connelley)
  • Real Estate and Loan businessman, beginning in 1903 with his return to Independence, KS (Connelley, Kansas State Library)
  • Received $100 per day from oil wells on his property, the greatest of any farmer in Kansas. (Paint)
  • Director and the secretary of the Jefferson State Bank, at Jefferson, Montgomery, Kansas (Connelley, town location: 37.109511,-95.762131). Listed as Jefferson State Bank director (Bank Dept: 1914, p.222; 1918, p.240; 1920, p.258; 1922, p.259)

Oil Profits

From University Geological Survey of Kansas. Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas. Volume 9, 1908

While Independence has been noted more as a gas territory than as an oil territory, it should be stated prominently that the richest oil-field ever yet opened up in Kansas lies only a few miles to the west and southwest of Independence. Large gas-wells had been obtained previous to 1903 in the gas territory to the south of the little town of Bolton, the first station southwest of Independence on the Bartlesville line of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railway. Late in 1902 oil developments began just north of the gas territory and wells with a capacity of a thousand barrels a day were obtained, so that in about two years the Bolton district was the most noted oil district in the state. Hon. G. L. Banks, of Independence, is the fortunate landowner of some of the best land in the field. Regarding the development in the Bolton field, he wrote, under date of April 14, 1905, as follows:
"The first well in the Bolton field was drilled by McBride & Bloom in the fall and winter of 1902 and 1903 on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 18, township 33, range 15 east, on land owned by Jeff Bolt. It was commenced in October and completed in the following February. McBride & Bloom were the principal stockholders in the Independence company, and were drilling for gas when they struck oil. The depth of well was 1180 feet; the thickness of oil-sand about 15 feet; output of well about forty barrels per day.
"The next well drilled in was on the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 17, about 500 feet east of the Bolt well, on land owned by J. D. Atkinson. This was a better well than the Bolt well. It was reported as making ninety barrels per day.
"The next was a dry hole drilled in June, 1903, by Reese & Hazlett on the northeast quarter of section 17, on land owned l3y E. Earhart. The next well was drilled on the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 8, township 33, range 15, owned by G. L. Banks. It was brought in on July 3, 1903, and reported as a seventy-five-barrel well. The next producing well was drilled in October, 1903, on the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 17, by the New York Oil and Gas Company, on land owned by a Jew by the name of Schoenburg, and was a fairly good oiler, and also was quite a strong gasser. There were several wells started about this time around this forty-acre tract. The depth of all the wells drilled so far varied from 1150 to 1200 feet. Oil-sand in Atkinson well was about 15 feet, in Banks well about 10 feet, and in Schoenburg well about 28 feet.
"The next well brought in was drilled by Kennedy & Son for Rider & Miller on the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 17, on land owned by G. L. Banks, and was reported as making 1000 barrels per day. It was shot on the 22d day of October, 1903, and filled a 250-barrel tank in five hours. In this well a stratum of oil-sand was found at a depth of 1016 feet, 15 feet thick and very rich in oil. At a depth of 1156 feet another stratum of oil-sand was found, about 30 feet thick. It was while the oil was flowing from both these strata of oil-sand that it was reported as making 1000 barrels a day, which it possibly made for the first day or two. They were not able to case the well for three days, and then were obliged to case off the upper stratum of oil-sand. Its daily output for about six months after it was cased was 235 barrels per day. It is now making about 40 barrels per day.
"I have no means of knowing exactly how many producing wells there are in the Bolton field at this date, but there are about 200.
"The Standard finished its pipe-line from Neodesha to the Bolton field the first week in September, 1903. They commenced buying oil as soon as the line was completed. Their records show that the first oil was received from the Atkinson well September 13, 1903; the Banks and Schoenburg wells, October 23, 1903. The above dates were obtained from the Prairie Oil Company's office, so doubtless they are correct.
"While this may not cover all the points that you want, it is the correct history of the development in this field as far as I am able to get it from the records and men who did the work.
    G. L. Banks." (KGS)

Military

Company C, 15th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
    Enlisted: 6 June 1861 (Chapman, Duncan) in Valparaiso, Indiana (muster card)
    Mustered into Company C: 14 Jun 1861 in Lafayette, Indiana (muster card)
    Discharged (mustered out): 25 June 1864 (Muster out card, Duncan, Connelley), 28 June 1864 (Chapman)
    Commanding: George D. Wagner (Duncan; Indiana 2, Vol 2, p.130)), then a colonel.

Military Timeline

6 June 1861 — Enlisted Valparaiso, IN
14 Jun 1861 — Mustered into Company C (Muster Roll Cards)
1 July 1861 — 15th Regiment leaves Indianapolis. .
4 July 1861 — Regiment leaves Cincinnati. (Indiana 2, Vol 2, p.130)
6–17 July 1861 — Western Virginia Campaign. Regiment travels by rail to Clarksburg, VA, then marches to Rich Mountain arriving on 11 July (Indiana 2, Vol 2, p.130). The Battle of Rich Mountain was in progress that day. On 12 July the regiment pursued and captured CSA soldiers. (Indiana 2, Vol 2, p.130)
  15 July 1861 — Headquarters Department of the Ohio, camp near Huttonsville, VA. Report from Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan to Col. E. D. Townsend, Asst Adjutant-General, Washington. McClennan is moving to Beverly, and leaving in camp at Huttonsville Col. Newton Schleich's brigade, then comprised of the 14th and 15th Indiana and 3rd Ohio Regiments, Burdsal's cavalry*, and Loomis's battery.** (WOTR, Series I, Volume 2, page 211)
*Burdsal's Independent Company, Ohio Cavalry; **Battery "A" 1st Michigan Light Artillery Regiment
25 July 1861 — Headquarters of the Army of the Occupation, Grafton, WV, General Orders No. 1: the First Brigade of the Army of the Occupation West Virginia consists of the 13th, 14th, 15th Indiana and 3rd Ohio Regiments, Burdsal's cavalry, Loomis's battery, and the depot of Beverly, WV consisting of the 6th Ohio, and detachments of the 1st and 2nd Virginia Regiments and Bracken's cavalry. (WOTR, Series I, Volume 2, page 762)
30 July 1861 — 15th Indiana is at Camp Elkwater south of Huttonsville, WV and is the first to arrive and build fortifications at the camp site.
8 September 1861 — Lt. Col. Richard Owen (15th Ind.) leads a force of 285 infantry and 4 dragoons, including Company C, to scout and block the enemy approach to Camp Elkwater. (WOTR, Series I, Volume 5, page 188–189)
9-14 September 1861 — Camp Elkwater skirmishes. (NPS-Unit)
  12 September 1861 — A portion of the 15th Indiana is placed by BG Reynolds as advanced pickets to halt Lee's advance on Elkwater. They fall back to the main picket line. (WOTR, Series I, Volume 5, page 185)
  14 September 1861 — One unnamed company from 15th Indiana sent to repel the enemy at Elkwater. (WOTR, Series I, Volume 5, page 186)
3 October 1861 — Battle of Greenbrier River. (NPS-Unit)
16-30 October 1861 — Detailed to repair roads (Muster Roll Cards, Sept-Oct 1861).
21 October 1861 — Lt. Col. Richard Owen promoted to Colonel of the 60th Indiana Infantry.
21 October 1861 — Maj. Gustavus A. Wood promoted to and mustered in as Lieutenant Colonel.
21 October 1861 — Capt. Alexander Fowler (Co. B) promoted to and mustered in as regimental Major.
19 November 1861 — 15th Regiment leaves Elkwater Valley and Huttonsville, WV (Indiana 2, Vol 2, p.130).
30 November 1861 – 15th Regiment reports to Maj. Gen. Buell in Louisville, KY. (Indiana 2, Vol 2, p.130). It becomes part of the Army of the Ohio.
25 March 1862 — 2nd Lt. John F. McCarthy promoted to and mustered in as 1st Lieutenant of Co. C.
1 April 1862 — Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant William M. Casterline promoted to 2nd Lieutenant (Co. C).
6–7 April 1862 — Battle of Shiloh. (NPS-Unit)
29 April to 30 May 1862 — Siege of Corinth (First Battle of Corinth). (NPS-Unit)
30 April 1862 — Appointed corporal by order of Lt. Col. Gustavus Adolphus Wood. (Muster Roll card. Mar and Apr 1862, Muster-out Roll card. 25 June 1864.)
2 May 1862 — 2nd Lt. William M. Casterline mustered in as Company C 2nd Lieutenant.
24 July 1862 — 2nd Lt. William M. Casterline (Co. C) promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
24 July 1862 — First Sergeant John F. Monroe (Co. C) promoted to 2nd Lieutenant (Co. C).
18 September 1862 — 1st Lt. William M. Casterline mustered in as Company C 1st Lieutenant.
3 October 1862 — Recorded by George Banks as the date he first carried the regimental colors. This was two days after Sgt. Jones W. Dorr was discharged on account of disability.
8 October 1862 — Battle of Perryville (NPS-Unit)
28 October 1862 — Maj. Alexander Fowler resigned and promoted to Colonel of the 99th Indiana Infantry.
29 October 1862 — Capt. John M. Comparet (Co. C) promoted to Major.
1 November 1862 — 2nd Lt. John F. Monroe (Co. C) promoted to Captain.
1 November 1862 — Recruit Daniel W. Nettleton (Co. C) promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.
29 November 1862 — Col. George D. Wagner promoted to Brigadier General.
1 December 1862 — Maj. John M. Comparet mustered in as regimental Major.
2 December 1862 — 2nd Lt. John F. Monroe mustered in as Company C 2nd Lieutenant. Note: This date is after his promotion to Captain according to the Indiana Adjutant General's records.
26 December 1862 — Leaves Nashville for Murfreesboro
31 December 1862 to 2 January 1863 — Battle of Stones River. The regimental colors were damaged by 52 Minié balls and a cannon ball. It was afterwards sent back to Indianapolis (NPS-Unit)
11 January 1863 — Promotion to sergeant and regimental color bearer for gallant conduct at the Battle of Stones River. (Muster-out Roll card. 25 June 1864.)
8 March 1863 — Muster roll card mentions promotion on this date to sergeant in place of William Dougall (though appearing as a sergeant on the roll card rank since January).
8 March 1863 — Captain John F. Monroe mustered in as Captain of Company C.
8 March 1863 — 2nd Lt. Daniel W. Nettleton mustered in as 2nd Lieutenant of Company C.
9 March 1863 — Lt. Col. Gustavus A. Wood promoted to Colonel.
9 March 1863 — Maj. John M. Comparet promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
9 March 1863 — Capt. Frank White (Co. F) promoted to Major.
3 April 1863 — Col. Gustavus A. Wood mustered in as commander 15th Indiana Regiment.
3 April 1863 — Lt. Col. John M. Comparet mustered in as regimental Lieutenant Colonel.
1 May 1863 — Maj. Frank White mustered in as regimental Major.
1 May 1863 — The regiment receives a new regimental flag, entrusted to Banks
24 June 1863 — Departed Murfreesboro, TN
24 June to 3 July 1863 — Tullahoma Campaign. The 15th marched to Chattanooga and saw no action.
21 August to 20 September 1863 — Chickamauga Campaign (NPS-Unit)
9 September 1863 — The 15th Indiana enters and occupies Chattanooga after the withdrawal of CSA Gen. Braxton Bragg
September to October 1863 — listed as on duty as color sergeant for the regiment during this period
24 September – 23 November 1863 — Chattanooga Campaign, Confederate siege of Chattanooga
23–27 November 1863 — Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign (NPS-Unit)
25 November 1863 — Battle of Missionary Ridge, wounded
25 November 1863 — Captain John F. Monroe (Co. C) killed at the Battle of Missionary Ridge.
26 November 1863 — 2nd Lt. Daniel W. Nettleton promoted to Captain Company C. He was never mustered in as Captain and mustered out as a 2nd Lieutenant on 26 June 1864. After 26 November, Company C appears to have had no 1st or 2nd Lieutenants.
28 December 1863 — Battle of Charleston
17 January 1864 — Battle of Dandridge
27 January 1864 — Joined as a veteran volunteer, promoted to first sergeant in place of John B. McAllister. (Muster-out Roll card. 25 June 1864.)
25 June 1864 — Mustered out in Indianapolis (Muster Roll Cards: Muster out card)
9 October 1864 — Returned home to Lake County, IN from the war

Campaigns

  • Western Virginia Campaign 6–17 July 1861, including the Battle of Rich Mountain on 11 July 1861 (38.865983,-79.934100). Department of the Ohio, Schleich's Brigade under Brig. Gen. Newton Schleich.
Order of battle for 15th Indiana: Army of Occupation of West Virginia: MG George B. McClellan; Schleich's Brigade: BG Newton Schleich; 15th Indiana: Col. George D. Wagner.
  • Elkwater Valley, skirmishes with Lee's army at Camp Elkwater on 9-14 September 1861 (38.628618,-80.027315).
Order of battle for 15th Indiana: Army of Occupation of West Virginia, Cheat Mountain District: BG Joseph J. Reynolds; 1st Brigade: BG Joseph J. Reynolds; 15th Indiana: Col. George D. Wagner.
The 15th Indiana was the first regiment to arrive at Camp Elkwater south of Huttonsville, WV on 30 July 1861, and was tasked with building fortifications at the camp site. The 14th Indiana was in battle to the east at the Battle of Cheat Mountain (38.621817,-79.880683). In the Cheat Mountain District (1st Infantry Brigade) under Brig. Gen. Joseph J. Reynolds. (Chapman, Duncan, Connelley)
  • Battle of Greenbrier River on 3 October 1861 (38.537632, -79.773400). In the Cheat Mountain District (1st Infantry Brigade) under Brig. Gen. Joseph J. Reynolds. (Chapman, Duncan, Connelley)
  • Battle of Shiloh on 6–7 April 1862, southwestern Tennessee (35.150791,-88.321809). In Maj. Gen. Buell's reinforcing Army of the Ohio, 6th Div., 21st brigade. The 6th Division under Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Wood was the last to arrive at Shiloh. (Chapman, Duncan, Connelley)
  • Siege of Corinth (First Battle of Corinth) from 29 April to 30 May 1862 (34.935044,-88.520392). Under Maj. Gen. Buell's Army of the Ohio, 6th Div., 21st brigade.
  • Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, 8 October 1862 (37.675218,-84.971018). Under Maj. Gen. Buell's Army of the Ohio, II Corps (Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden), 6th Div., 21st brigade. The II Corp was in reserve, and so had only 2 killed and 4 wounded. (Chapman, Duncan, Connelley)
  • The Battle of Stones River, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 31 December 1862 to 2 January 1863. The 15th Indiana was in the Left Wing of the move to Murfreesboro under Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden, First Division (Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Wood), 2nd brigade. (Chapman, Duncan, Connelley as "Murfreesboro")
  • Took part in the Tullahoma Campaign to route CSA troops from mountain passes in middle Tennessee. The brigade did not encounter many enemy troupes, and saw no action. They did not enter Tullahoma, instead heading east through the mountains, and then south to Chattanooga. Army of the Cumberland, XXI Corps, 1st Division, 2nd Brigade.
  • As part of Rosecrans's army, took part in the Chickamauga Campaign. The 2nd Brigade (incl. the 15th Indiana) entered and occupied Chattanooga after the withdrawal of CSA Gen. Braxton Bragg. During their occupation, much of the rest of the Army of the Cumberland took part in the devastating Battle of Chickamauga (Connelley). Army of the Cumberland under Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans, XXI Corps (Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden), First Division (Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Wood), 2nd brigade.
  • Took part in the Chattanooga Campaign, in which from 24 September – 23 November 1863 Union forces were under siege in Chattanooga, and the Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign, 23–27 November, including the Battle of Missionary Ridge, 25 November (35.028145, -85.258257). Banks was wounded 3 times climbing Missionary Ridge (Chapman, Duncan, Connelley), and was later awarded the Medal of Honor. He was color sergeant, and his flag was the first on the parapet atop the Ridge. Army of the Cumberland under Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, IV Corps (Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger), 2nd Division (Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan), 2nd Brigade.
  • Battle of Charleston, TN on 28 December 1863. Confederates attack a wagon train of the Army of the Ohio moving north to reinforce the Union troops in Knoxville (Duncan).
  • However, Connelley states that he was wounded and incapacitated from November 1863 until 14 January 1864.
  • Battle of Dandridge, TN, on 17 January 1864. Army of the Cumberland under Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, IV Corps (Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger), 2nd Division (Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan), 2nd Brigade (Duncan).

The Battle of Stones River

George Banks was the color bearer for the 15th Indiana at the battle of Stones River. The 15th was under the direct command of Lt. Col. Gustavus Wood. The regiment was part of Col. George D. Wagner's 2nd Brigade, in turn part of Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Wood's First Division. The First Division was one of three divisions in Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden's Left Wing of the Army of the Cumberland. On 30 December 1862, Crittenden's Left Wing was arrayed north-south along the west bank of the river. Crittenden was supposed to cross Stones River and set up artillery to bombard the Confederate right from above. However, Maj. Gen. Alexander M. McCook on the Union right was not informed that this would occur. He thought Crittenden would be attacking along the west side of the river. Early on the morning of the 31st, Crittenden sent Brig. Gen. Horatio P. Van Cleve's division across the river. However, the Confederates attacked heavily on the Union's right (west side) and Crittenden had to call off the plan to cross the river, and instead moved south. Gen. Wood's First Division then became the Union's left, positioned between the river and the Nashville Pike. The 15th Indiana did not engage Gen. Polk's forces until around 10:30 AM. They were with the rest of Wagner's brigade on the east side of Wood's line, immediately adjacent to the river, and were facing Brig. Gen. Daniel S. Donelson's First Brigade. They managed to repulse Donelson's attack. By afternoon, Wagner's Brigade was facing heavy attack from several detached regiments on the Confederate right. The 15th Indiana repulsed part of Brig. Gen. John K. Jackson's brigade. CSA Brig. Gen. Daniel W. Adams then moved his entire brigade forward to take the artillery of Capt. Jerome B. Cox's 10th Indiana Battery. For a third time the 15th Indiana repulsed the Confederate advance. The 15th Indiana counter charged, and killed or captured nearly an entire regiment of Adams's brigade (173 prisoners were captured by the 15th Indiana from the 20th Louisiana Infantry). Corporal Banks carried the flag so far forward into the attack that a Lieutenant Davis (likely 1st Lt. Andrew F. Davis) had to physically pull him back. The counter charge was costly, with 30 killed and nearly 100 wounded in the regiment. On 3 January, after the Confederates sustained tremendous losses from Union artillery, and with fresh Union reinforcements joining the battle, Gen. Bragg moved his Confederate army south to Tullahoma, TN. The regimental flag of the 15th Indiana was tattered and torn, shot through by 52 balls and a cannon ball, and its flag staff was shattered. Banks himself sustained no wounds, but he had two holes in his hat, four in his shirt, his haversack was shot through, and his canteen shot off his body. After the battle, the ragged regimental colors were sent back to Indianapolis. Altogether, from the 447 men of the 15th Indiana who started the battle, 205 were killed and wounded. 45 men were killed during the battle, with more deaths of the wounded following afterwards.

The taking and the siege of Chattanooga

After the winter battle at Stones River, and participating in the summer campaign to route CSA troops from the mountain passes in middle Tennessee, Wagner's Second Brigade moved toward Chattanooga on 16 August 1863 with the rest of the Army of the Cumberland under Maj. Gen. Rosecrans. As part of the Chickamauga Campaign, the Second Brigade was still in the XXIst Corps under Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden. Crittenden occupied Chattanooga on 9 September, and then moved his forces to Rossville over the Georgia border. Since Bragg's army was moving south, Rosecrans thought they were retreating to Rome, GA. He ordered Crittenden to leave one brigade in Chattanooga (the Second Brigade), and move the rest of his Corps to Ringgold, GA. George Banks was therefore in Chattanooga during the devastating Battle of Chickamauga. After the Pyrrhic victory at Chickamauga, Gen. Bragg surrounded the Union troops at Chattanooga, and cut off most of their supply lines. On 17 October, Ulysses Grant was placed in charge of all western forces by Lincoln, and on the 19th he relieved Rosecrans of command, putting Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas is charge of the Army of the Cumberland.
The supply lines to Chattanooga had been poor for most of October. The troops were eating the food meant for the horses and mules, and all the starving cattle had to be eaten. On 24 October, Grant approved a plan by Brig. Gen. William "Baldy" Smith to build a pontoon bridge across the Tennessee River west of Chattanooga at Brown's Ferry. On 27 October, with the military cover of Brig. General William B. Hazen. Once this path was open, the well-known "cracker line" brought in more supplies to the encircled army in Chattanooga, and allowed in a relief column of 20,000 troops from the Army of the Potomac, led by Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker.

Heroism at the Battle of Missionary Ridge

On 23 November 1863, Grant ordered Gen. Thomas to make a reconnaissance in force toward Missionary Ridge to test the Confederate line. Thomas took the prominence called Orchard Knob from the Confederates with 14,000 men, and Grant then ordered the Army of the Cumberland to hold its position along this line east of the town. After this action, CSA Gen. Bragg realigned many of his troops. Rather than choosing either the base or the top of Missionary Ridge, the forces were split, so that half the divisions were in rifle pits at the base, while the rest occupied a line at the physical crest of the ridge. This last action was an error, because without the CSA cannons and breastworks on the "military crest" farther down the slope, an uncovered zone existed for Unions troops part way up the hill.
The next day, 24 November, General Joseph Hooker attacked the Confederate left on Lookout Mountain. Hooker was not originally ordered to take the whole mountain, but the battle turned into a route of the Confederate forces there. Bragg withdrew all his CSA forces from Lookout Mountain in order to reinforce Missionary Ridge. Major General William Sherman and the Army of the Tennessee crossed the Tennessee River and took the hills on the north end of Missionary Ridge facing CSA forces at Tunnel Hill.
The Army of the Cumberland was still in place to the west of the CSA rifle pits on 25 November. On this day the 15th Indiana was under the command of Major Frank White, Gustavus Wood having been given command of a demi-brigade. The 15th was still part of the 2nd Brigade, commanded by BG George D. Wagner. Wagner's brigade was placed under the command of MG Philip H. Sheridan (Second Division, IV Corp, Army of the Cumberland). At 2 PM, Wagner received orders from Sheridan to prepare to take the CSA rifle pits at the foot of Missionary Ridge. The 57th Indiana under LTC George W. Lennard was in the first line as skirmishers. This was followed by the main line of infantry comprised of the 26th Ohio, 40th Indiana, 58th Indiana, and 100th Illinois commanded by Col Gustavus Wood of the 15th Indiana. The 15th Indiana and 97th Ohio took up the third, reserve line. At 2:30, the brigade moved ahead of the forward Union rifle pits and lay down, awaiting the order to advance. At 3:15, six successive cannon shots announced the order to attack. The brigade moved forward, under severe enemy artillery fire, with the rest of the army, and the 57th overwhelmed the Confederate rifle pits and moved on toward the foot of the Ridge. They were soon joined by the main, second, infantry line who never stopped moving forward.
At this time General Wagner was ordered by MG Gordon Granger, in command of the IV Corps, to stop at the Confederate works, and not to take the Ridge. Most of the brigade was already 200 yards past the rifle pits, but Wagner ordered them back. Wagner sent a messenger to ask Sheridan's permission to take the Ridge, but before he received an answer, he realized, as did all the men, that they would not be able to stay in their current position. It was being heavily hit by every type of shot and shell from the CSA artillery and the rifle pits up the Ridge. Wagner moved the 15th Indiana and the 97th Ohio to the front line, and ordered the brigade to take the Ridge.
George Banks lead the way, carrying the regimental banner. The flag he carried that day had been made by the little girls' Aid Society of Haskell Station, La Porte County, Indiana and presented to the 15th Indiana after their flag was severely damaged at Stones River. As Banks lead the brigade up Missionary Ridge, he was immediately shot in the left thumb. He continued on, however, until the regiment reached the road part way up the ridge, where they encountered a hail of bullets from the rifle pits above. They fell to the ground, and remained there until they heard Major White, standing in a "storm of bullets", crying out "Men, for God's sake, forward!" Banks got to his feet, raised the regimental banner, and called to the men to follow their flag. A short distance up the hill, Banks was shot in the chest. The bullet passed through a novel and two letters he had placed in his front shirt pocket, hit his rib, and moved toward the center of his body until it lodged over his stomach. He fell senseless to the ground. Burton Thurber of Company G took up the flag, but was shot in the shoulder. Then Ben Booth of Company D raised the flag, but he too was immediately shot down, with his right arm broken. Corporal Day from Company A took up the flag, but was soon shot down and killed. Finally, George Banks regained consciousness, and saw the flag go down for the fifth time as Corporal Cist of Company I raised the flag and was also killed. Banks regained the flag, and despite his two wounds, continued to lead the brigade up the Ridge. Within a 15 minute period, over 60 percent of the men in the 15th Indiana were killed or wounded.
As Banks neared the Confederate rifle pits at the top of the Ridge, he saw the rebels lower their guns to fire. The remaining men from Indiana and Ohio dropped to the ground as the rebels fired. Then with a cry of "Chickamauga, Chickamauga" they stormed the Confederate works with bayonets and attacked the defenders. George Banks raised the flag high as he climbed the parapet, the first man in the brigade to do so. He then looked to his right and saw the flag of the 13th Louisiana Infantry, drew his revolver, and fired six shots. Hearing a noise, he looked down and noticed a soldier taking aim at him. He turned to jump off the works, but was shot in the head, the ball entering and leaving his scalp, and gouging a furrow in his skull. He fell backwards from the works. He tried to raise the flag once more, but was too weak from loss of blood to rise. Still under heavy fire, 2nd Lt. Thomas N. Graham of Company G retrieved the flag, leaving Banks behind, and lead the regiment over the works, capturing 56 CSA troops. Singing "Rally Round the Flag, Boys", and with tears of joy streaming down his face, he lead the men on to take the top of Missionary Ridge, as Bragg's troops fled. Wagner ordered LTC Young to take the 15th Indiana and 26th Ohio on to the left in order to capture an artillery battery which was trying to escape, protected by a small guard. They succeeded in capturing the battery. Altogether, Union troops captured over 6,000 CSA troops and 40 pieces of artillery. When Banks was finally able to get to his feet, Major White ordered him to the rear to seek medical aid.
Major Frank White, who himself was wounded during the taking of Missionary Ridge, referred to George Banks in his report to 2nd Brigade Headquarters, 27 November 1863:

The officers and men of the Regiment behaved with such gallantry that it would be hard to discriminate, but the conduct of Color Sergt G. Banks, who carried the colors until shot twice, and of 2nd Lieutenant T. N. Graham Co. "G" who then carried them forward and planted them on the enemy's works under a terrible fire, deserves special commendation. (WOTR, Series I, Volume 31, Part 2, page 215)

Captain Benjamin F. Hegler, commanding the 15th Indiana wrote in his report of 7 February 1864:

The conduct of officers and men on this occasion deserves high commendation, and one can scarecely be mentioned before another for gallant daring. Sergeant Banks, though severely wounded bore the colors until a second shot compelled him to intrust [sic] the flag to other hands. (WOTR, Series I, Volume 31, Part 2, page 216)



Service and Fraternal Facts

Education

(1871-1886)
Helped to organize the first school district (No.91) in Fawn Creek Township, Montgomery County, Kansas (Duncan, Connelley)
Financed and supervised the building of a school in Fawn Creek, named "The Banks School House" in his honor (Duncan, Connelley). Former location: 37.015537,-95.728900
Acted as the first clerk of the school district (Duncan)
Was a member of the school board (Connelley).
Donated land in Graydon, Chambers, Texas to build a school in 1915. George Banks is mentioned on Texas State historic plaque number 12651. Link. Town location per 1928 topographic map: 29.70343,-94.664319. Historical marker location: 29.690845, -94.674809

Politics

Party: Republican (Chapman, Duncan, Connelley)

Justice of the Peace in Fawn Creek for two terms (Chapman), which was 6 years (Connelley). Retired from that office in 1882 (Connelley).

Fawn Creek Township Trustee sometime after 1872 (Chapman, Connelley gives start after retiring from JOP position in 1882)

Filled all offices in Fawn Creek Township (Duncan).

Kansas State representative from Montgomery County for two terms, 1905 to 1908 (Connelley and below)
Kansas State representative: Banks, George L.
Born: October 13, 1839 in Lake County, Indiana. [in error]
Died: August 20, 1924 in Independence, Kansas.
Occupation: Farmer/Real Estate and Loan businessman
Town: Independence
County: Montgomery
Party: Republican
District: 30
Chamber: House 1905, 1907, SS1908
(Source for above)
1905 — Listed as a House member for district 30 in the State of Kansas House Journal, 1905 (Source page 3). Listed as a House member for district 30 in State of Kansas Session Laws, 1905 (Source page 919).

  • Served on the following committees: Judiciary Local (ibid., p.33), Oil and Gas (ibid., p.94), Cities of the Third Class (note, Index evidently erroneously says it was Mines and Mining, ibid., p.100), Claims and Accounts (ibid., p.119).
  • Appointed to the "conference committee on substitute" for Senate Bill 239, an act making appropriates for the State Soldiers' Home and Mother Bickerdyke Home (ibid., p.1005).
  • Introduced 1905 House Bill 45, "An act to amend section 1 of chapter 426 of the Session Laws of the state of Kansas of 1903" (ibid., p.31). Banks himself recommended the the bill be replaced by HB 36.
  • Introduced 1905 House Bill 46, "An act providing for the election of city marshal, city clerk, city attorney, city street commissioner and city assessor in cities of the second class" (ibid., p.31). Failed in committee.
  • Introduced 1905 House Bill 84, "An act relating to liens" (ibid., p.35). Failed in committee.
  • Introduced 1905 House Bill 299, "An act fixing the times of holding the terms of the district court of the fourteenth judicial district, and repealing all acts and parts of acts in conflict herewith" (ibid., p.99). Became law.
  • Introduced 1905 House Bill 300, "An act vacating a portion of the town site of Dearing, Montgomery county, Kansas" (ibid., p.99). Failed in committee.
  • Introduced 1905 House Bill 461, "An act to authorize cities of the state of Kansas to issue bonds and provide natural gas and oil as incidental thereto, for the use of the inhabitants of said cities, and other purposes" (ibid., p.181). Failed in committee.
  • Introduced 1905 House Bill 530, "An act to amend sections 5117, 5118, 5119, 5121, 5123, 5124, 5126, of the General Statutes of 1901, relating to liens of mechanics and others, and to repeal sections 5117, 5118, 5119, 5121, 5123, 5124, 5126, of the General Statutes of Kansas of 1901" (ibid., p.231). Failed in committee.
  • Introduced 1905 House Bill 709, "An act to authorize and empower the board of pducation of the city of Independence, of the state of Kansas, in Montgomery county, to fund the floating indebtedness of said board, and of school district No. 5 of Montgomery county, and to issue and sell bonds for that purpose" (ibid., pg.342). Became law.
  • Introduced 1905 House Bill 766, "An net to authorize cities of the second class to levy a special tax for the construction of sewers and disposal of sewage outside the limits of said cities" (ibid., pg.405). Passed House, failed in Senate.
  • Introduced 1905 House Bill 805, "An act authorizing and empowering the board of county commissioners of Montgomery county, Kansas, to construct and maintain a bridge across the Elk river, and to provide money for the payment of the same" (ibid., pg.466). Became law.
  • Introduced 1905 House Bill 900, "An act to provide for liens of mechanics and others on leases for oil and gas purposes, oilwells, gas-wells, derricks, tanks and pipe-lines in the state of Kansas" (ibid., pg.555). Failed in committee.
  • Introduced 1905 House Petition 4, "Relating to the making of certain city officers elective, which petition was read, and referred to the Committee on Cities of the Second Class" (ibid., pg.125).
  • Introduced 1905 House Petition 89, "House petition, relating to payment of Priceraid claims, were introduced, and referred to the Ways and Means Committee" (ibid., pg.741).

1907 — Listed as a House member for district 30 in the State of Kansas House Journal, 1907 (Source page 3). Listed as a House member for district 30 in State of Kansas Session Laws, 1907 (Source page 656).

  • Served on the following committees: Mines and Mining (House Journal 1907, p.88, p.1127), Claims and Accounts, Chairman (ibid., p.88, p.1128), Political Rights of Women (ibid., p.88, p.1128), and Oil and Gas (ibid., p.89, p.1131).
  • Introduced 1907 House Bill 90, "An act to amend section 7621 of General Statutes of Kansas of 1901, article 15, chapter 106." (ibid., p.82). Passed the House. Failed in the Senate(?).
  • Introduced 1907 House Bill 175, "An act to prevent the desecration of the 30th day of May, commonly known as Memorial day, and providing penalty for its violation" (ibid., p.110, G.A.R. Kansas 1907 p.153). Passed committee with revisions. A nearly identical Senate bill (No. 169) passed the Senate. Senate bill made law.
  • Introduced 1907 House Bill 391, "An act amending and repealing sections 6388 and 6389 of the General Statutes of 1901, being sections 2 and 3 of chapter 174, Laws of 1877" (ibid., p.223). Failed in committee(?).
  • Introduced 1907 House Bill 392, "An act amending and repealing Section 7268 of the General Statutes of 1901" (ibid., p.223). Failed in committee(?).
  • Introduced 1907 House Bill 654, "An act to amend section 6731 of the General Statutes of Kansas of 1905, and providing for the examination in the theory and art of vocal music by all applicants for teachers' certificates, as provided for in said Section." (ibid., p.447). Failed in committee.
  • Introduced 1907 House Petition 5, "In relation to playing football and baseball on Sunday, also Sunday theaters." (ibid., p.127).
  • Introduced 1907 House Petition 38, "Relating to the observance of Memorial day." (ibid., p.283).

1908 — Listed as a House member for district 30 in the State of Kansas House Journal, Special Session 1908 (House Journal 1908, p.3, Source). Listed as a House member for district 30 in State of Kansas Session Laws, Special Session 1908 (Source page 124). This session created primary elections in Kansas.

Fraternal Orders

  • Member of I. O. O. F. (Odd Fellows) in Michigan (Chapman)

    Member of "subordinate lodge" Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Kansas, 1903 (Duncan, Connelley)

  • Member of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.)

    Michigan
    In Michigan belonged to Joseph Rice Post No. 282 at Camden, MI (Chapman).
    Kansas
    1894 — Member of Coffeyville Post No.153 (Kansas 1894 Roster, p.123).
    Was a member of McPherson Post No. 4 in Independence, KS.
    1899 — Named an Assistant Inspector on the staff of the state Department Commander for Post No. 4 (GAR Kansas 1899, p.266).
    1900 — Again named an Assistant Inspector for Post No. 4 (GAR Kansas 1900, p.152).
    1901 — Listed as a past post commander for Post No. 4 in the roll of twentieth annual encampment. Not listed as having attended (GAR Kansas 1901, p.5).
    1902 — Listed as a past post commander for Post No. 4 in the roll of twenty-first annual encampment (GAR Kansas 1902, p.5).
    circa 1903 — Was commander of Southeast Kansas Association of Old Soldiers and Sailors (Duncan).
    1903 — Attended the twenty-second Kansas state encampment as a past post commander for Post No. 4 (GAR Kansas 1903, p.4). Named a delegate to the national encampment for Kansas (Post No. 4) (ibid., p.74).
    1903 — Attended the 37th national encampment as a Kansas representative, San Francisco, August 20–21, 1903. (GAR Natl 1903, p.23)
    1904 — Attended the twenty-third Kansas state encampment as a past post commander for Post No. 4 (GAR Kansas 1904, p.7). Also listed as a delegate to the 38th national encampment in General Order No. 2 (GAR Kansas 1904, p.129).
    1905 — Attended the twenty-forth Kansas state encampment as a past post commander for Post No. 4 (GAR Kansas 1905, p.9).
    1906 — Listed for 40th national encampment as a Kansas representative, Minneapolis, August 16–17, 1906. Did not attend. (GAR Natl 1906, p.52) Also listed as a delegate to the national encampment in G.A.R. Kansas General Order No. 2 (GAR Kansas 1906, p.78).
    1907 — Listed as a delegate to the national encampment in G.A.R. Kansas General Order No. 14 (GAR Kansas 1907, p.115). Banks sponsored a House Memorial Day bill (see above) (GAR Kansas 1907, p.153).
    1908 — Appointed a special aide on the staff of the Department Commander in G.A.R. Kansas General Order No. 8 (GAR Kansas 1908, p.101).
    1909 — Attended the twenty-eighth Kansas state encampment as a past post commander for Post No. 4 (GAR Kansas 1909, p.20) Banks was one of four members to nominate Joel Rickel as the new Kansas state Department Commander. He was also appointed as a teller to count ballots (ibid., p.75). Rickel was voted in as Commander (ibid., p.85). Banks was appointed as one of five new members of the Kansas G.A.R. Council of Administration (ibid., p.87).
    1910 — Listed as a member of the Kansas G.A.R. Council of Administration from Independence (WRC Kansas 1910, p.223).
    1911 — Listed as a member of Kansas G.A.R. Council of Administration from Post 4, Independence (GAR Kansas 1911, p.5). Attended the thirtieth Kansas state encampment as a past post commander for Post No. 4 (ibid., p.6). Appointed to the committee to visit the Woman's Relief Corps (ibid., p.19). He was reappointed to the Council of Administration in General Order No. 1 (ibid., p.82).
    1911 — Banks is introduced to the women of the Kansas convention of the Woman's Relief Corps (WRC Kansas 1911, p.78). Banks addresses the women — see below (ibid., p.81).
    1911 — Listed for 45th national encampment as an Aide-de-Camp on the staff of the Commander in Chief from Kansas , Rochester, NY, August 24–25, 1911. (GAR Natl 1911, p.372)
    1912 — Attended the thirty-first Kansas state encampment as a past post commander for Post No. 4 (GAR Kansas 1912, p.17). Banks was appointed to the committee for Sons of Union Veterans — erroneously listed as "C. L. Banks" (ibid., p.34). Banks was reimbursed $9.40 for expenses for 15 May 1911 (ibid., p.42). On the call from the Department Commander for nominations for Junior Vice Department Commander, Banks nominates C. A. Meek of Wichita — see below (ibid., p.77).
    1913 — Attended the thirty-second Kansas state encampment as a past post commander for Post No. 4 (GAR Kansas 1913, p.22). Listed as a member of the Committee on Report of Chaplain (ibid., p.56) Appointed a teller for the election of Department Chaplain (ibid., p.68). Listed as a member of the Committee on Credentials for the 32nd state encampment held in Independence (ibid., p.93). Banks was nominated and unanimously voted in as Junior Vice Department Commander of the Department of Kansas G.A.R at the 1913 Kansas annual encampment (GAR Kansas 1913, p.67 and p.77, Connelley)
    1914 — In his report, the Department Commander thanked Banks saying, "The junior vice commander, Comrade G. L. Banks, has not only been of service but has been a faithful, conscientious adviser in all matters pertaining to the department" (GAR Kansas 1914, p.12). Photo of G. L. Banks (ibid., p.25). Report by G. L. Banks to Department Commander (see below) (ibid., p.26). Banks was reimbursed $8.00 for expenses regarding the Committee on Credentials for 20 May 1913 and $10.48 for Council of Administration expenses (see next entry) (ibid., p.36). Listed as present at the meeting of the Council of Administration, and having $10.48 in expenses for the meeting (ibid., p.40). Listed as present at the 33rd encampment, and as having served as a sergeant in the 15th Indiana Infantry, Company C (ibid., p.82). Named as Junior Vice Department Commander in General Order No. 1 (ibid., p.163).
    1915 — Listed as Chief of Aides on the staff of the Department (GAR Kansas 1915, p.4). Banks was reimbursed $12.44 for expenses regarding the Council of Administration for 12 May 1914 (ibid., p.36). Attended the 34th Kansas state encampment as a representative from Post No. 4 (ibid., p.53), seconded the nomination of C. A. Meek as Department Commander for Kansas (ibid., p.57).
    1916 — Listed as Chief of Aides on the staff of the Department (GAR Kansas 1916, p.7). Listed as being on the committee for the Department Commander's Report (ibid., p.28). Attended the 35th Kansas state encampment as a past post commander from Post No. 4 (ibid., p.47). Listed as an alternate "Delegate at Large" for the 1916 national encampment (ibid., p.65), Appointed as Chief of Aides on the Council of Administration (ibid., p.73).
    1916 — Listed for 50th national encampment as a Kansas alternate representative, Kansas City, MO, 28 Aug – 2 Sep 1916. Did not attend. (GAR Natl 1916, p.23)
    1917 — Attended 36th annual encampment, Department of Kansas, Salina, May 16, 17, 18, 1917. Seconded the nomination of Luke F. Parsons of Salina as a member of the John Brown State Park board in Osawatomie. (GAR Kansas 1917, p.38). Attended the 36th Kansas state encampment as a representative for Post No. 4 (ibid., p.39). Listed as a delegate alternate to the 50th national encampment, 1916, in Kansas City (ibid., p.74 and p.75). Listed as a member of the Department of Kansas, in Post No.4 Independence, and having served in Company C, 15th Indiana Infantry(ibid., p.93).
    1918 — Listed as a delegate to the Kansas encampment from Post No.4 Independence (GAR Kansas 1918, p.10). Listed as on the committee to visit the Ladies of the G.A.R. (Ibid., p.14). Listed as a delegate alternate to the national encampment from Post, No. 4, Independence. (ibid., p.65).
    1918 — Listed for 52nd national encampment as a Kansas alternate representative, Portland, OR, 18–24 August 1918. Did not attend. (GAR Natl 1918, p.24)
    1919 — Listed as present at the 38th Kansas encampment as a past Junior Vice Commander (GAR Kansas 1919, p.10). Banks nominated Independence as the site for the next encampment (Hutchinson was named as the site) (ibid., p.50). Banks seconded the nomination of R. H. McWhorter as Senior Vice Department Commander (ibid., p.51). Listed for 52nd national encampment as a Kansas alternate representative, Portland, OR, 18–24 August 1918 (ibid., p.72).
    1922 — Listed as present at the 41st Kansas encampment from Post No.4 Independence (GAR Kansas 1922, p.13). Appointed an aide-de-camp to the Department Commander, 1921-22 (ibid., p.80).
    1923 — Appointed an aide-de-camp to the Department Commander, 1922-23 (GAR Kansas 1923, p.108).
    1925 — Listed on the roll of honor as having died on 19 August 1924 (GAR Kansas 1925, p.73).

— Transcript of Banks's 1911 address to the Woman's Relief Corps, auxiliary to the G.A.R.,

Comrade Banks: — Sisters of the Woman's Relief Corps: Like my comrades I feel that I must say a good word for the ladies of this order. Wherever duty calls men, when the tug of war comes, where muskets and field rifles are used, and shots are flying thickest, there come our sisters also with their sacrifices and sacred ministrations. But it is hardest for those who stay at home. The soldier in action has an easy time of it compared with her who stays at home and awaits the outcome. I have personal knowledge of Sister Hendricks' work in our own state. She took her automobile and traveled more than one hundred miles to help a post and raise money for the old comrades. I had the pleasure of being present when Commander Harmon was installed as commander a year ago, and I want to extend to this convention greetings from the Grand Army convention, and to tell you that they have had a prosperous year.
And now, sisters, I want you to always consider that I am an advocate of all good work done by women, and especially that done by the Women's Relief Corps. We would not accomplish much for lasting good in this world without the help and encouragement of our good and loyal women. I thank you and bid you goodbye.

Department President: — Mrs. Margaret Griffith will respond to Comrade Banks.

Margaret Griffith: — I am always proud of our comrades and glad of an opportunity to honor them. I have lived with one for forty-six years. I do not think we could do without them. We are happy to present you with our badge.

Department President: — I can only say to you that I am more than pleased to receive these messages from you. On behalf of the more than seven thousand members of the Woman's Relief Corps in the Department of Kansas, I extend our greetings. We are more than pleased to have you with us today. We want you to come whenever you can. (WRC Kansas 1911, p.81)


— Transcript of G. L. Banks's 1914 report to the Department Commander.

J. N. Harrison, Commander Department of Kansas G. A. R.: I herewith submit the following report. Having been elected and installed as junior vice department commander at the encampment held at Independence, Kan., May 20 to 22, 1913, by your order I met with the Council of Administration at Topeka, Kan., August 22, 1913. I was detailed to install the officers elect of McPherson Post No. 4, Depart­ment of Kansas, which duty I performed January 3, 1914. I have looked after the welfare of the G. A. R. in my vicinity to the best of my ability. By your order, I report to you at the encampment at Topeka, Kan., sub­ject to your orders.
G. L. Banks, Junior Vice Commander.


  • Member of Anti Horse Thief Association (in 1903, Duncan, Connelley)


Residences

  • Lake County, Ohio — Parents moved to Ohio in 1836 (Chapman). 1840 census.
  • Laporte County, Indiana (Center Township) — 1845 (Chapman, Connelley). 1850 census.
  • Lake County, Indiana — George was 14 (Chapman), so after Oct 1853.
  • St. Anthony, Minnesota (aka St. Anthony Falls, today the Minneapolis neighborhood of St. Anthony West).
  • Northern Michigan, 1857
  • Lake County, Indiana — 1860 census.
  • (Civil War)
  • Lake County, Indiana — returned home from the war on 9 Oct 1864 (Chapman). 1870 census.
  • Fawn Creek Township, Montgomery County, Kansas, 1871 (Kansas, Connelley), May 1871 (Duncan), or 1872 (Chapman). He bought 160 acres in the township by preemption claim (Homestead Act of 1862). The property appears in the Historical Atlas of Montgomery County, Kansas (1881) on page 19. 80 acres were on the south central side of section 11, and 80 acres on the north side of section 14 of Township 35S, Range 15E. Remained for 15 years (Duncan), or 16 years (Connelley). 1880 census.
  • Angola, Steuben County, Indiana, Fall 1886 (Connelley), December 1886 (Duncan, Kansas). Exchanged his hotel in Angola for the farm property in Michigan (Connelley).
  • Camden Township, Hillsdale County, Michigan, Spring 1887 (Chapman, Kansas). Also owned 80 acres of land in Muskegon County, and town property in Camden, MI. (Chapman). Remained 6 years (Duncan, Connelley).
  • Montgomery County, Kansas, (farm) approx. 1892-1894 ("two years", Connelley). This was likely near Coffeyville, as he is listed in the Coffeyville G.A.R post in 1894.
  • Independence, Montgomery, Kansas, (in town) 1892-1895 (Duncan), 1894-1896 ("two years", Connelley)
  • Montgomery County, Kansas, (farm) 1895 (Duncan), 1896-1903 (Connelley). Section 8, township 33S, range 15E (Independence Township), where he owned 160 acres (the SW quarter section adjacent to Section 17) (Duncan; Atlas and plat book of Montgomery County, Kansas, 1916). Centroid of section: 37.1895197,-95.7924580. He also owned 80 acres (two quarter quarters, NESW and NWSE) just south of the center of Section 17 of the same township. (Duncan) Centroid of section: 37.1750350,-95.7924172. 1900 census.
  • 417 North Fifth Street, Independence, Montgomery, Kansas. 1903 (Connelley), before 1910 (Census). Was living there in 1918 (Connelley). Probably moved to town due to the death of his first wife. 1910 census, 1920 census.
  • Concurrently to the above home, he owned a 240 acre farm near Bolton, KS (Connelley). This is most likely the 160 acres in section 8 and the 80 acres in section 17 mentioned by Duncan above. (town location: 37.157715,-95.806913). He also owned 160 acres south of Dearing, KS, and 300 acres in Chambers County, Texas (all Connelley). His brother Charles died in Chambers County in 1910, so this last may have been his land.


Source codes


Internet links and sources


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