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Bannister, Dwight

 Person

Biography

Dwight Bannister was born in Ontario County, New York on February 3, 1833, the son of Asahel Bannister, a veteran of the War of 1812. As a young man, Dwight Bannister left New York for Columbus, Ohio,where he worked for the Illinois Central Railroad. He also met Salmon P. Chase and became his private secretary. They maintained a long correspondence. He accompanied Chase on tour when he was campaigning for Lincoln. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1858. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he answered the first call for a draft and enlisted in a battery of the Ohio artillery. When Chase became Secretary of the Treasury, he had Bannister made a paymaster in the army. He held this position for duration of the war and in the regular army for many years afterwards on the western frontier, going as far west as Montana. He achieved the rank of Colonel. On May 26, 1864 he was married to Lavinia Murdoch of Urbana, Ohio. He resigned from the Army after having a serious illness which prohibited him from the performance of his duties. After his resignation, he practiced law in Urbana, Ohio. Shortly thereafter, in June 1875, he moved to Ottumwa, Iowa. In Ottumwa he became a respected business man, serving as president of Ottumwa Gas Light, Heat & Power Company for twenty-four years. He served on the Ottumwa School Board for twelve years, a good part of that time as its president. The History of Wapello County has this to say of him: "Colonel Bannister was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was of a retiring disposition, averse to notoriety of any kind, and very reserved in manner, but no more honorable or upright man ever called Ottumwa his home." Colonel Bannister died at his home on College Street on January 30, 1899.

Citation:
Author: Jacque Roethler
Citation:
Waterman, Harrison History of Wapello County.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Dwight Bannister Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MsC1005
Abstract

Mostly Civil War items from this resident of Ottumwa, Iowa.

Dates: 1860-1999