Banning, John W. 1843 - 1925

BANNING, BLUE, ALLEN, LOGSTON, VANCE, OXLEY, WINN, WEBSTER, DRAVES, DEWEY, HARRIS, WILCHEN

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/16/2014 at 10:53:02

JOHN W. BANNING

Through well directed business activity and enterprise John W. Banning has gained recognition as one of the prosperous farmers of Winneshiek County. He owns one hundred and fifty acres of highly improved land in Bloomfield Township and since 1849 has lived in the county, his labors during the latter part of that period contributing not only to his own prosperity but proving effective factors in advancing the general welfare. Mr. Banning was born in Ohio, March 21, 1843, and is a son of Phineas and Mahala (Blue) Banning, also natives of that state. The parents came to Winneshiek County in June, 1849, making the journey overland with wagons. After locating in Bloomfield Township the father traded an old rifle and his wagon for a farm of two hundred and forty acres which had been taken up as a government claim by an old Frenchman and upon this property he continued to reside until his death. His wife has also passed away. To their union were born eleven children: John W. of this review; Abraham, who resides in North Dakota; Nathaniel, who makes his home in South Dakota; Elizabeth and David, deceased; Susan, the widow of Frank Allen, of South Dakota; Peter, a resident of Fayette county, Iowa; Nancy, who married Thomas Logston, of Decorah; Mary, the wife of J. Vance, of Cresco; Michael, also of Cresco; and David, deceased.

John W. Banning was only six years of age when he moved with his parents to Winneshiek County and in Bloomfield Township he grew to manhood, aiding his father with the operation of the homestead and learning by practical experience everything relating to the care and development of the farm. When he was twenty-three he married and at that time purchased one hundred acres on section 17, Bloomfield Township, turning his attention to its cultivation. He worked resolutely and diligently to achieve success and in the course of time was enabled to buy more land until he has become the owner of one hundred and fifty acres lying in sections 16 and 17. Upon this he has made substantial improvements and carries on general farming, his gratifying success rewarding many years of earnest and persistent labor.

In 1866 Mr. Banning was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Mahala Oxley and they became the parents of eight children: Addie, the eldest, has passed away. Alma is the wife of Fred Winn, of Ossian. Herbert is a resident of South Dakota is married and has three children, Lilia, Lloyd and Orval. Grace married H. Webster, of Ossian. Lulu makes her home in Ossian. Neva first married W. Draves, who died, and she is now Mrs. Chas. S. Dewey, the wife of a contractor of West Union, Iowa. She has one child by her first marriage, Wayne Harris, born September n, 1907. Calla is the wife of George Wilchen, of Mason City, and has a daughter, Rosebud. Vernon, who completes the family, resides at home.

Mr. Banning is a member of the United Brethren church and politically affiliates with the Republican Party, giving his aid and cooperation always to progressive public movements. His life has been one of well directed activity and intelligent effort, resulting in the attainment of a gratifying measure of success, and wherever he is known he is highly esteemed and respected by reason of his genuine personal worth and excellent qualities of character.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913

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