BANNISTER, LEVI RICHARD
The birth of Levi Richard Bannister occurred in Blair, Nebraska, September 2, 1870, his parents being Chester and Johanna Bannister, who were married in Illinois, the native state of the mother, but went to Nebraska to live, being among the pioneer settlers in that state. He was the youngest of their nine children, his brothers and sisters being: Miles, deceased; Cal, living in Nebraska; William, a resident of Kansas; Marion, in Nebraska; La Fayette, deceased; Julia, living in Omaha; Mary, in Black Hills; and Bell, in Nebraska.
At the age of sixteen years Mr. Bannister began to look about him for a means of livelihood. He went to Kansas but remained in the Jayhawker state for only a short time and then returned to Nebraska. Three years later he removed to Scott county, Iowa, where he has ever since resided and where he speedily established a home for himself. Upon his arrival in Iowa he worked as a farm hand until his marriage in 1900, when he located on the farm where he now resides. It belongs to his wife and is a tract of one hundred and twenty acres on section 32, Hickory Grove township. It is a valuable property, being fertile and well improved. Aside from his general farming Mr. Bannister has had great success as a breeder of Scotch shorthorn cattle, and he is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Walcott.
On May 5, 1895, Mr. Bannister married Miss Caroline Magdaline Arp, who was born on the farm they now occupy, August 14, 1861. Her parents were Timm and Bertha (Arp) Arp, both natives of Holstein, Germany, though resident in different towns. They were married across the water and came direct to Davenport on landing in New Orleans, making the journey up the Mississippi river in 1851. They spent two years in Davenport, the father working at the carpenter trade and among other things assisting in the construction of the First Lutheran church. Upon his removal to the country Mr. Arp took up the new vocation of farming which proved congenial and profitable. Beside the farm now owned by his daughter, he owned another of one hundred and twenty acres adjoinging. He has five children as follows: Paul William, of Hickory Grove township, occupying a neighboring farm to the subject of the sketch; Johannas Adolph, also a neighbor; Henry Peter, of Glyndon, Minnesota; Mrs. Bannister; and Ferdinand Theo, of Tea, South Dakota. Mr. Arp was born May 23, 1819, and died September 21, 1890, and Mrs. Arp was born March 31, 1830, and died March 14, 1899. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bannister has been blessed by the birth of five children: Birdie Johanna; William Chester; Carlisle Timm; Catherine Margaret, who died in infancy; and Emil Clifford.
Mr. Bannister gives a stanch adherence to the policies and principles of democracy. He is now serving his third term as constable, in which capacity he has given most efficient service. Fraternally he is identified with the Eagles and the Modern Woodmen of America in their Walcott camps. Mr. Bannister has many friends and is well regarded, being a public-spirited man, strong in his advocacy of those measures he believes will bring the greatest good to the greatest number.
This bio was extracted from the History of Davenport and Scott County, Vol. I and II, by Harry E. Downer, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. It was transcribed by Debbie Clough Gerischer.