Oliver Banister
At the little village of Hackleman in Liberty Township in southwest Grant County, Mr. Banister has the distinction of being the only local merchant. Most of his career has been spent in this part of Grant County, and he has been known to the citizenship as a man of integrity and industry, and has been a valued factor in affairs for many years. At the present time he is giving an excellent administration of the office of township assessor.
Oliver Banister was born in Fayette County, Indiana, January 26, 1851, a son of John and Mary (Treadway) Banister. Both parents still reside in old age in Liberty Township, having moved from Fayette County to Grant County, in February, 1868. In their family were five children, three of whom are living at the present time. The son George is following the trade of painter at Fairmount, while Amos is a farmer in Liberty Township.
Oliver Banister was seventeen years old when the family moved to Grant County, and he also attended school after coming to Grant county. During his early years he took up the trade of painter, and followed that as a workman and also did a good business as a contractor for some years. A number of years ago he established a stock of general merchandise at the village of Hackleman, and now enjoys a large trade int hat section of Grant County, and enjoys the confidence of his many patrons in this vicinity.
Fraternally Mr. Banister is affiliated with Hackleman Lodge, No. 551, I.O.O.F., with the Encampment at Point Isabel, and both he and his wife are active in the Rebekahs. Mr. Banister is a past grand of the Grand Lodge of the State. In politics a Republican, he has been active in local politics for a number of years and was chosen on the Republican ticket to his present office.
Mr. Banister was first married to Sarah A. Buller, who was born in Liberty Township, was educated in the local schools, and was a devoted wife and mother. There were three children by the marriage: Walter, who married Eva Wilson, and lives in Liberty Township; Myrtle, the wife of Otto Newhouse; and Maude, wife of J.W. Dill. The mother of this family died in 1879. In 1883, Mr. Banister married Mary A. Felton. They have no children.
Submitted by: Gina Reasoner