BANISTER, George Washington

BANISTER, GRAVES, PHIPPS, DEWAR, WILSON, BUSHLOW, GROVES, ALLISON, LITTLE, WARNER

Posted By: Don Blake
Date: 9/12/2007 at 09:39:08

1834-1923 Cherokee Chief

GEORGE WASHINGTON BANISTER LEAVES FOR THE LAST FRONTIER.
The funeral was held at the Banister home, 435 West Cherry. The size of the crowd and the length of the procession to the cemetery were indicative of the high esteem of this noble pioneer.
Rev. E.C. McDale of the Methodist Church officiated. Pall bearers were, Charles Graves, Henry Phipps, Hal Dewar, George Wilson, A.D. Bushlow, and Charles Groves. The ceremony at the grave was conducted by old soldiers.Many old timers were present at the funeral.
G.W. was born Dec 12 1834 to Nathan and Margaret (Allison) Banister in Ashtabula County Ohio. He was 10 years old when his parents moved to McHenry Couny Ill.There they remained until 1852 when they moved to Dubuque, Iowa
and thence they moved to Hardin County Iowa. The father died in 1859 while making a visit to Cherokee County.His mother died 10 years before in 1849. He settled in Cherokee County in 1856.On coming to Cherokee County he pre-emted 160 acres of land, owning in all 480 acres, a very desirable farm. This is now the A.D.Bushlow farm. In those days the people of Cherokee County did their trading in Sioux City and their milling in Ft Dodge or Panora, making the trip by ox cart.
At the call for men to defend this nations flag, he enlisted in Oct 1, 1862, in the Sixth Iowa Calvary, Company E. His regiment saw active service on the western frontier and was engaged in battles against hostile Indians at Whitestone Hills and Kildeer Mountain and the Badlands of South dakota. He was honorably discharged in 1876. He was elected judge in 1876 and served 2 years. He was also the coroner of the county and filled the office of sheriff for 2 terms.
G.W. was reared to the occupation of a farmer and recieved his education in the common schools. G.W. was married in Hardin County Oct. 7 ,1856 to
Miss Margaret Allison, daughter of George and Frances (Warner) Allison. They made the trip back to Cherokee County in a covered wagon, ox team powered. Born to them were 6 children; Eugene A., Triphena E., Wife of W.M. Little; Nettie, George Dwight, Charles Allison and Wellington, the later deceased.