william banks - Putnam

Source: Greencastle Herald 27 Sept 1913 p 1

Uncle Wesley Banks, one of the best known and highly respected citizens of the county died at the home of his son at Dr Banks, 5 miles south of Centerville about noon Sunday aged 88 years and 27 days. The immediate cause of his death was due to a severe attack of summer trouble but for the past 13 years he has been an invalid as the result of an injury sustained in a fall.  Mr. Banks was one of the old war heroes of the country, having served in the Mexican War. To be a son of the American Revolution is an honor in itself but to the only man in town whose father was a soldier of the revolutionary war carries with it a far greater honor.  Such is the distinction borne by him.  Several sons of revolutionary sires have lived in Iowa a fact not at all strange when it is remembered that at least eight and probably ten soldiers of the revolution passed their declining days in Iowa and have been buried in Iowa soil.  But Mr. Banks was the last survivor of the “real ones” in Iowa.  William Banks, the father of Wesley Johnson Banks was born in Culpepper County, Virginia June 23, 1762.  He enlisted in the patriot army at Amherst County, Virginia and served six months as sergeant in Cap. Polin’s Company of Colonel Richardson’s regiment under command of Barn Steuben and was in service through the war.  Linn Banks and William Brown, his grandfathers were also in the service for American freedom. That several of his relatives were in the war of 1812 shows that the family were fighting stock. For 14 years Wesley lived in daily, hourly touch with one who was true in days “that tried men’s souls” and absorbed from his father his patriot zeal.  Wesley Johnson Banks when he was born in Gerard County Kentucky July 28, 1825 thus inherited fighting qualities which were sure to assert themselves in time.  The father, William Banks, died in 1839 in Putnam County, Indiana having moved from Kentucky some time before. The young Wesley, being full of the fire of youth and true to the warlike spirit of his ancestors enlisted in the First Indiana regiment when the Mexican War came on as did his brother, Joseph. Young Banks served faithfully and efficiently in the Mexican War and on receiving his discharge at its close at once enlisted in the regular Army and marched with the troops sent to California, remaining in the service in California until he received an honorable discharge March 31, 1849.  He returned home in 1851 via Panama and New Orleans. In 1852 he married Nancy Wells Talbott and they came to Appanoose County in 1864.  There were 8 children of whom four are dead.  Mrs. Banks died Dec 18, 1896 and is buried at Oakland cemetery. The living children are four sons: WF of Loveland, Colo; TW, DV and FT of this vicinity.  In his young manhood Mr. Banks stood 6’ tall, was of commanding presence and pleasing person. His 88 years did not cloud his mind nor leave him without interest in men and events and his mind was a well filled storehouse of knowledge gathered through his four score and eight years. He became a member of the Iowa Society of the Sons of the American Revolution in July 1897 and it is with price that the society carries …