California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm




JASPER A. BANKS. � A very wide-awake merchant, whose business is 
constantly increased because of his personal popularity, is Jasper A. Banks, 
the experienced tobacconist at Friant. His father was Willis Banks, a Ken- 
tuckian who, when there was need of his military services, joined the ranks 
of the Home Guard Army and did his full duty without a thought of the sacri- 
fice. He had been from youth a farmer; had moved to Illinois, and then pushed 
on to Kansas. He came to California first in 1849, engaged with varying 
success in mining; and after two years, went back to Illinois. J. A. Banks 
was born at Columbus, Adams County, Ill., March 6, 1852 and when a lad of 
only nine years, moved with his parents to Crawford County, Kans., enjoying 
the adventures common to such an experience at that time ; and there he grew 
up to manhood, remaining until he was twenty-two years of age. Then he 
came out to California in 1874, directing his course to Kern County, then for 
six years he was in Sonoma County. 

In 1881 Mr. Banks moved to Fresno County and located in Auberry 
Valley. He bought land, went into stock raising, and until 1908 gave his 
best efforts to producing the highest average breed. In that year he sold out 
and came to Friant, where he embarked in the grocery trade. In the follow- 
ing year, Mr. Banks established his cigar and tobacco store ; and in this line 
of trade he has succeeded beyond his expectations. He has also retained in- 
terest in stock, cattle and hogs,, and some of his investments yield as they 
should when intelligence, foresight and experience are back of the deal. 

Willis Banks, Jasper's father, returned to California in 1876 and located 
in Fresno County; and here, living with his children, he died, two years later. 
Mrs. Banks, who had been Eveline Thomas before her marriage, was a native 
Kentuckian, and in that State she was married. She had fourteen children- 
seven boys and seven girls ; and Jasper was the eighth child born. 

Mr. Banks has been twice married. The first ceremony occurred in 1881 
in Kern County, when the bride was Bell Davis, a native daughter, by whom 
he had one child, Lola Bell who married L. C. Mussleman and is living in 
Fresno. His first wife died in 1883. In 1888. Mr. Banks was married to Mrs. 
Polly (Blair) Dillwood, born on Grand Island, whose parents were Thos. 
and Lucy Blair, early settlers of Contra Costa County in the fifties, later 
of Auberry Valley, Fresno County, where they died. Mrs. Banks received her 
education in Fresno County, and by her former marriage she had two chil- 
dren, one living, Ray, who is with the Standard Oil Company at Richmond. 
Democrats in politics, Mr. and Mrs. Banks are members of the Christian 
Church.