BANGER, George b:1865

BANGER, KENNEDY, CHAPIN, MCQUILKIN

Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 5/9/2005 at 20:11:18

George Banger, postmaster of La Porte City, Iowa, and one of the prominent citizens of Black Hawk County, was born in La Porte City, April 12, 1865, and is a son of George and Mary Ann (Kennedy)(Chapin) Banger.

George Banger, the elder, was born May 30, 1821, in Dorsetshire, England, and came to America in 1852, living at Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio, unti 1856, when he removed to La Porte City, Iowa, which continued to be his home until the time of his death, in 1891, at the age of 80 years. For many years he conducted a successful shoe business in this city, having become a practical workman before leaving England. Aside from his business success, he was one of the representative men of the city. For many years, he was a useful member of the City Council and many of the advantages now enjoyed by the people of La Porte City owe their beginning to his public spirit and enterprise.

He was one of the two pioneer merchants of La Porte City, and always took an interest in the city's development. In poltics, he was identified with the Republican party. In religious connection, he was an Episcopalian.

In 1864, he married Mrs. Mary Ann (Kennedy) Chapin, then a widow, who came to Iowa with her first husband, in 1854. She had two children,- Maria, deceased; and Byron A., who had been connected with the Pension Department at Washington, D.C., for the past 15 years. The subject of this sketch was the only child of her second marriage.

George Banger, the subject of this article, has resided at La Porte City all his life, except a short season spent attending business college at Cedar Rapids. He was creditably graduated at the La Porte City High School, in the class of 1881. His father's illness recalled him from Cedar Rapids, and he managed the shoe business until 1894, when he entered the office of the La Porte City Electric Light & Water Company, and remained with this corporation for seven years, in the capacity of secretary until February 1, 1904.

In 1896, Mr. Banger was married to Minnie R. McQuilkin, who was born at La Porte City, Iowa, December 20, 1868, and is a daughter of Capt. R.J. McQuilkin. Four bright, interesting little ones have resulted from their union, namely: Robert E., Margaret E., Helen E., and Alice E.
Politically, a Republican, Mr. Banger has done his part in the promotion of the party's principles in this section, and at various times he has been elected to official positions.

He served as city clerk from 1898 to March 31, 1904, and was township clerk from 1898 to 1902. Fraternally, he is a Master Mason, being a member of Trowel Lodge, No. 216, A.F. & A.M.; a charter member of Narcissus Lodge, No. 192, Knights of Pythias; a charter member of Crystal Lake Tent, No. 33, Knights of the Maccabees; and a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen.
The appointment of Mr. Banger as postmaster at La Porte City, on January 11, 1904, gave universal satisfaction. His precious record was of such a character that he had already secured the esteem and full confidence of his fellow citizens.

[ History of Black Hawk County and It's People,
1915 ]