Springfield-Greene
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THEODORE BANISTER. From the "banks of the Wabash far away" hails Theodore Banister, and no doubt, in the language of Paul Dresser's famous song, "oft his mind reverts to the happy scenes of childhood" in that fair country where '"round his Indiana homestead wave the cornfields" with "scent of new-mown hay" and sycamore bottoms and all that; for it is indeed a desirable country, and,. of course, seems better to those whose youth was spent there. It is not only a picturesque country, but it has produced some of our best American citizens, men of industry, courage and honesty, so that they have been welcomed into whatever communities they have cast their lots. Not many of them have settled in Greene county, but Mr. Banister has found it to his advantage to do so.
Our subject was born in Wabash county, Indiana, February 28, 1846. He is a son of- Nathaniel and Emiline (Dale) Banister. The father was born December 13, 1818,in Nicholas county, Kentucky, in which state he spent his earlier years, finally emigrating to Indiana in an early day and locating in Wabash county. They were married in Fayette county, Indiana, February 9, 1841, and there began life in typical pioneer fashion, he entering eighty acres of land from the government, which he cleared and developed into a farm, making general farming his life work. He lived on one farm for a period of forty-six years, and was a well-known man in his locality. His farm in Wabash county consisted of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land. There his death occurred many years ago, but his widow survives, having attained at this writing the unusual age of ninety-four years, still making her home in the Hoosier state. Politically, Nathaniel Banister was a Democrat, and he was at one time trustee of his township. His family consisted of ten children, seven of whom are still living, namely: Merritt, who has remained in Wabash county, Indiana; Theodore, of this sketch: Louis, Alfred, Horace, Sanford and Alice, all live in Indiana; the other three children died. in early life.
Mr. Banister, of this review, grew up on the home farm, where he when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools of the first his vicinity, the first school he attended being in a log cabin. He followed farming until he was twenty-one years old, then began learning the carpenter's trade, for which he had unusual natural talent. He remained in his native state until in 1880, when he came to Springfield, Missouri. He has continued in carpenter work all the while and is a fast and high-grade and his services are in good demand at the highest wages.
Mr. Banister was married on November 7, 1884, in Springfield, to Laura Loveless, who was born in the central part of Ohio, May 1,1863, and there she grew to womanhood and was educated near Bellefontaine, removing to Springfield, this state, when young, and finishing her education here. Her parents, George and Sarah (Outland) Loveless, spent most of their lives on the farm. The father was born September 7, 1823, and died here July 16, 1892. The mother was born June 30, 1823, and died July 18,1886.
To Mr. and Mrs. Banister three children have been born, namely: George E., born July 3, 1886, is a traveling salesman and resides in Springfield; Ralph, born December 16, 1888, who is employed in Snyder's clothing store in this city; Theodore, Jr., born October 21,1896, works in Holland's Bank, this city.
Politically, Mr. Banister is a Democrat. He is a member of the South Street Christian church, in which he is a deacon, and he has long been active in church work. He has a cozy home on East Elm street.
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