BIO: Francis L. BANKS, Beaver County, PA
    
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    BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.  This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches 
    of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  Buffalo, N.Y., 
    Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 114-115.
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    FRANCIS L. BANKS, deceased, was well known in Beaver Falls as a valuable
  and enterprising citizen, and he was worthy the respect and esteem accorded
  him by the residents of that borough. He was a machinist by trade, and for
  many years served in the capacity of superintendent of the hardening
  department of the Great Western File Works of Beaver Falls. He was a son of
  Francis and Maria (Barton) Banks, and was born in New York City, July 19,
  1825. On the Banks side, the family is of English
    
    BEAVER COUNTY  115
    
  origin, and the grandfather, William Banks, was a native of London, England.
  His son Francis resided in New York City and was there engaged in business
  all his life. On the maternal side, the great-grandfather was Henry Barton of
  Hollandish extraction, and he was a soldier in the War of Independence, lived
  in Hackensack, N. J., and owned a number of slaves.
    
    Francis L. Banks was reared in New York City and there also obtained his
  elementary training; in his younger days he was engaged in the book-binding
  business in that city, but subsequently drifted into the file business. Upon
  coming to Beaver Falls he was tendered the position of superintendent of the
  hardening department of the Great Western File Works, which position he
  accepted and faithfully performed the duties of that responsible office until
  his retirement about the year 1891. Mr. Banks was prominently connected with
  different fraternities; he was at one time grand templar of Pennsylvania, was
  a member and secretary of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and was also a
  member and secretary of the Royal Arcanum. Politically, Mr. Banks took an
  energetic part in the organization of the Republican party in this vicinity,
  but though active in party affairs, he never sought political distinction. In
  his religious action he was a consistent member of the Episcopal church, and
  was also a senior warden many years; he was also a great worker in the
  Brotherhood of St. Andrews. His demise took place at his home in Beaver
  Falls, February 18, 1899, and his death was deeply deplored by his family and
  his friends, who knew him as a dutiful citizen and friend, a kind neighbor,
  and a loving father and husband.
    
    Mr. Banks was joined in marriage with Miss Mary Culver; she was born April
  3, 1827, and died January 2o, 1889. She was a daughter of Daniel Culver, a
  native of New York City, and he traces his ancestral history back to 1632;
  the Culver family is one of the oldest families in New England, and her
  grandfather was in the Revolutionary War. Mr. and Mrs. Banks were the parents
  of one daughter, Gertrude Kendall, the wife of William H. Chandley. Mr.
  Chandley is engaged in plumbing, gas and steam fitting, and also contracts
  for the laying of water works systems. He is located in Beaver Falls, where
  he has already established a large patronage. To Mr. and Mrs. Chandley have
  been born a family of seven children: Henry Banks; Gertrude May; Sarah
  Winifred; Mary Ivy; Anna Drusilla; Georgia Caroline; and George Francis,
  deceased.