George Washington Hanks
Through a residence of about thirty years in Allamakee county,
George Washington Hanks firmly entrenched himself in the
affection and regard of those with whom he came in contact, while
his business ability gained him a place among the representative
and valued residents of this section of the state. From 1862
until his death in 1891 he resided continuously upon his farm
lying party in this and party in Clayton county and each year
added something to his high standing in the community to the
agricultural development of which he made such substantial and
lasting contributions. He came to Iowa in 1859.
Mr. Hanks was born in West Almond, Allegany county, New York, on
the 8th of October, 1834, and is a son of Rufus F. And Cynthia
(Knight) Hanks, natives of Greenwich, Connecticut, the former
born, September 4, 1802, and the latter, September 29, 1799. The
father was a copper by trade and an expert carpenter and joiner,
as well as a blacksmith, and he worked at all of these
occupations, first in Connecticut, and then in Pennsylvania,
whither he went in 1837. In that state he also followed farming,
owning an excellent property which, however, was largely operated
by his sons. He was one of the pioneers in Iowa, locating in
Wayne township, Crawford county, in early times and making his
residence there until his death, which occurred in 1880. He had
survived his wife only a short time, her death having occurred
six weeks previously.
George Washington Hanks was the eighth in a family of twelve
children. He acquired his education in the district schools in
Pennsylvania and at the same time became a proficient and capable
farmer, learning the best and most practical agricultural methods
by personal experience upon his father’s property. Under his
father he also learned the cooper’s trade, becoming an
expert carpenter, joiner and blacksmith, and he did a great deal
of this kind of work in his father’s different ships. On the
24th of April, 1859, he left Pennsylvania and came to Iowa,
settling in Clayton county where he rented land, turning his
attention to general farming. He was very successful and was
eventually able to purchase a fine property of his own upon which
he moved June 12, 1862, and whereon he continued to reside until
his death. For a time he worked at his trade in connection with
his farming operations, but later concentrated his attention upon
the development of his land, becoming one of the most prosperous
and successful farmers in this part of the state. Starting with
forty acres, he added to his holdings as his financial resources
increased and he owns finally two hundred and seventy-three and
one-third acres, one hundred and thirteen of which lay in Clayton
county and the remainder in Allamakee. Upon it he made
substantial improvements, his progressive and modern spirit
leading him to introduce all the newest and best machinery, and
to keep the buildings which he erected in good repair. In
addition to the development of his fields, he gave a great deal
of attention to stock-raising and eventually operated the farm as
a general stock farm, whereon he bred and raised pureblooded
animals. It was he who introduced Polled Angus cattle in this
vicinity and he did a great deal of important work in improving
the breed. For thirty years he steadily carried forward the work
of developing his homestead and his well directed and practical
labors were at length rewarded by a success which placed him in
the front ranks of the county’s progressive farmers.
On the 3rd of July, 1856, Mr. Hanks married Miss Mary Ann
Banister, who was born in Cherry Creek, Chautauqua county, New
York, September 15, 1834-She is a daughter of William and
Prescilla (Steward) Banister, natives of Windsor county, Vermont,
the former born August 12, 1808, the latter, September 12, 1804.
They moved across the Green mountains to New York in 1830 and in
that state engaged in farming, an occupation which he followed
all during his active life. In 1837 he moved to Crawford county,
Pennsylvania, and there resided until his death, which occurred
November 8, 1890. He had survived his wife since March 29, 1879.
Although Mr. and Mrs. Hanks had no children of their own, they
adopted a nephew, W. James Hanks, son of the brother of the
subject of this review. He was born in Franklin county, Iowa,
August 31, 1871, and grew to manhood in this state. He married
Miss Agnes Dunn, also a native of Iowa, and they have two sons:
George L. And Harry Newell, who reside with their father in
Postville. W. James Hanks is engaged in the piano and jewelry
business in that city and is one of the progressive and
enterprising young business men of the community.
The death of Mr. Hanks occurred upon his farm January 12, 1891,
after a residence of nearly thirty years upon the property. After
his demise Mrs. Hanks remained upon the homestead until the
following December, when she disposed of the property and moved
into Postville, where she has since resided, being well known and
highly esteemed in the community. Mr. Hanks gave his political
allegiance to the republican party and was progressive and
public-spirited in matters of citizenship, cooperating heartily
in all measures which eh deemed would be of benefit to the county
or state. He served for a few years as justice of the peace in
Post township and in Postville was a director of the District
Fail Association Mr. Hanks was also a great lover of music and
quite proficient in that art. He taught it in early times to the
great benefit of the young people, never receiving any
remuneration for his work, but teaching with a view of bringing
something beautiful into their lives.
He was about fifty-seven years of age at the time of his death
which caused deep regret among his many friends who had learned
to esteem him for his genuine personal worth and his sterling
qualities of heart and character. Although he did not seek to
figure prominently before the public, he came to be known
throughout the community as an exempliary citizen, a faithful
husband and a reliable and trustworthy business man.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index