In April of 1920, "Park" Banks went to his friend, R. G. Remley, a local attorney, to have his will drawn. Remley later wrote that Banks said, "It is always hot at the cemetery on Memorial Day and there is no place to get a cool fresh drink." He instructed Remley to put into his will a bequest for a fountain in the Soldiers' Plot dedicated to "the memory of the Deceased Soldiers of the County."

Parker Morse Banks was born in Maine in 1841. He served in the Civil War and had marched with Sherman to the Sea. He was wounded in the battle of Lost Mountain on June 16, 1864, but returned to his regiment, 105^th Illinois Infantry, and served to the end of the war. He entered the service as a private and left the service as a sergeant.

After the war, Banks returned to Illinois and worked for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad for a time before moving to Iowa. He operated a lumber business in Ackley and then entered banking there. While there Banks was married to Belinda Lane. In 1871 they moved to Webster City where he became a partner in the mercantile business, the clothing store of Levi & Banks. He sold out his interest in one year to become the deputy postmaster of Webster City for four years. Then he became a bookkeeper of the Hamilton County State Bank for another three years. Ill health caused him to quit that job and move to his farm near Woolstock.

His wife died in 1882, and he remained a widower the rest of his life. He had one son, Bert, who stayed on the farm. When his health improved, he returned to Webster City to become a cashier of the First National Bank for thirteen years. Finally, he became city clerk during which time he was also a stockholder in the State Bank of Woolstock.

His continued interest in the military was evident, as he became a charter member of Company C of the Webster City National Guard. He was an active member and past commander of Winfield Scott Post of the G. A. R. In addition, he was a member of the Elks, the Masons, and was twice commander of Knights of Templar.

Banks served as mayor in 1915. He was a dashing, well-liked man about town. Because of his many associations in business and banking, he was well-known. He always marched in the Memorial Day parades and took part in the ceremonies. His desire to keep the memory of the Civil War veterans alive was what caused him to include the fountain in his will.

Mr. Banks died in Webster City on December 26, 1923. When the bequest was announced, a committee was established to arrange for the construction of the fountain in the cemetery. The work of this committee dragged on until the nation entered the Depression. All consideration of the fountain stopped.

At a much later date, interest resumed and a new committee was appointed. These members were: R. G. Remley, Chairman; George E. Alexander; Bert Banks, son of Parker; Alvin Fort; Mrs. John N. Garth; and L. A. Lehnhard. Richard W. Youlden was selected as an architect with the commission to design a speaker's platform and memorial center with drinking fountains and restroom facilities under the platform. It was to be built of native stone. The construction was performed by the Works Progress Administration, (W. P. A.). The restrooms were later closed and are now used for storage.

The memorial was officially dedicated with Chairman Remley as one of the speakers of the day. The Banks estate was then officially closed on July 8, 1933, ten years after the death of the donor.