The death of William Banks occurred last Wednesday morning at the family home in Dexterville. Mr. Banks had been very sick for some time, and during most of his sickness his case was looked upon as hopeless owing to his extreme old age. All that medical aid could do for him was done, but no avail. Last October he had reached the ripe old age of 81 years and was then in fairly good health. Mr. Banks was born in England in 1823 and came to this country in 1837 and to Nebraska in 1861 and homesteaded in the county up near Rose Hill where he could at the time of this death count all those people in the section of the country as his personal friends. He had identified his interests with them and when the cemetery out there was laid out he was one of the prime movers and purchased a lot. During all the remaining years of his life - after moving from the neighborhood, he clung to the idea that his body be laid to rest in that lot. For this reason the funeral services were conducted and the body laid to rest in the old family burying ground. To Mr. and Mrs. Banks eight children were born, six of whom are living as follows: William Banks, Jr., Mrs. Addie Ide, Mrs. Emma Lamb, Mrs. Lizzie Wulff, Mrs. Belle Davis and Miss Edna, who lives at home with her mother.

#2-Blair Courier 16 March 1904

William Banks, 81

Died at his home in Blair on Tuesday, March 8, 1904, Mr. William Banks of gripe, aged, 81 years, 4 months, and 27 days old. The deceased was born in Lincolnshire, England, October 11, 1822.

When 14 years of age he came to America and settled near Chicago, Ill. On August 22, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Belinda Jane Fox of Yorkshire, England, at Chicago, Ill and the same fall moved to Omaha, Neb.

In 1863, he came to Washington County and took a homestead where he resided more than 35 years. To this family there were born 8 children, two died in infancy. The others; Mrs. H.L. Ide of Florence, Mrs. William Lamb, Mrs. G.H. Wulf of Blair, Neb., William Banks, Jr., Miss Edna Banks of Blair, Neb., and Mrs. J.F. Davis of Wilmer, Minn., were present at the funeral.

For about 18 years, Mr. Banks was in poor health caused by catarrh of the stomach.

About 5 weeks ago he was taken with the gripe which made him a great sufferer and of which he died on Tuesday, March 8, 1904.

The deceased was raised in a Methodist home. He never was a member of any church, but as the close of life drew near he turned to the God of his youth in prayer, and said to his friends, “I am ready to go”.

He was a devoted husband and father and leaves his companion of more than forty years and 6 children to mourn their loss.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J.B. Priest, pastor of M. E. Church with a brief service at the home and the funeral service at Rose Hill M.E. Church on Thursday, March 10 at 2 p.m. and the remains were interred at the Rose Hill Cemetery.

May God comfort the bereaved ones by His Grace.

#3-17 Mar., 1904 - Blair Republican - William Banks

Died - At his residence in North Blair on Tuesday, March 8, 1904, of Lagrippe, Mr. William Banks, aged 81 years, 4 months and 27 days.

Deceased was born in Lincolnshire, England October 11, 1822. He came to America when but fourteen years of age. On August 22, 1861 he was united in marriage to Miss Belinda Jane Fox of Yorkshire, England, at Chicago, Ill. The same fall they came to Omaha, Nebraska, and in 1863 he took a homestead in Washington county where he resided thirty five years. He, with Wm. Lamb, laid out Rose Hill Cemetery and named it, and now the body lies buried there. There was born to their home 8 children - two died in infancy. The others, Mrs. H.L. Ide of Florence, Mrs. Wm. Lamb, Mrs. G. H. Wulff, Wm. Banks, Jr., and Miss Edna Banks of Blair and Mrs. J. F. Davis of Wilmer, Minnesota were present at the funeral. For about 18 years Mr. Banks was in poor health caused by catarrh of the stomach. About five weeks before his death he took the Lagrippe which gradually robbed him of strength and caused his death on Tuesday, March 8, 1904. The deceased was raised in a Methodist home. He never was a member of any church, but as the close of life came near, he turned to the God of his youth and said to friends “I am ready to go”. He was a devoted husband and father and leaves his companion of more than forty years with six children to mourn their loss. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. J. B. Priest, Pastor of the M. E. church, with a short service at his residence in Blair, and the funeral sermon at the Rose Hill M. E. church on Thursday, March 10 at 2 p.m., and the body was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery. May God comfort the bereaved ones by His presence and grace.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~