John R. Banks
The Payette Independent
Thursday, December 30, 1926
John R. Banks was born November 14, 1869 in Iowa, and died December 27, 1926, at Payette. Death being the result of a lingering illness. Mr. Banks came to Payette in 1883, and was one of the pioneers of the valley, one of those who saw "Boomerang" through the first struggling years. He was married in 1901 to Miss Alda Butler of Payette. Besides his widow he leaves to mourn his loss one daughter, Mrs. Lucille Williams of Portland, and three sons, Leon Banks of Seattle, Claude Banks of Klamath Falls and John Banks of Payette.
Mr. Banks was a man of sterling integrity, and highly respected in the community with those past he is so closely knit.
Funeral services were conducted Thursday afternoon from St. James church, the Rev. Thomas Ashworth officiating and interment was made in Riverside cemetery.
The Payette Independent (Thursday, January 06, 1927)
CARD OF THANKS
We wish to thank our many friends and neighbors for their sympathy and help during the illness and death of our beloved husband and father, especially Mr. and Mrs. William Cope of Boise and Mr. and Mrs. Chas. McCosh who, by their loving sympathy and kind assistance did much to lighten our deep grief. MRS. ALDA BANKS, LYNN BANKS, MR. and MRS. CLAUDE BANKS, MR. and MRS. JOHN BANKS, JR., MR. and MRS. CHAS. MILLIMAN
Payette Enterprise (December 30, 1926)
PAYETTE PIONEER CALLED BY DEATH
J. R. BANKS SUCCUMBS AFTER LINGERING ILLNESS—WAS A RESIDENT OF PAYETTE VALLEY 48 YEARS
J. R. Banks, one of the early settlers of the Payette Valley died at his home two miles west of Payette Monday morning after an illness of several years. He was stricken with paralysis of the throat about three years ago which baffled all medical science, and in spite of every means to restore him, he gradually grew worse and death came as the only relief at an early hour last Monday morning.
Mr. Banks was born in Appanoose county, Iowa, November 14, 1860, and came west when a young man, 13 years of age, in company with William Wald and Travis Brown. His first employment was with the railroad company in building the road through this section in 1883. Soon after became a resident of Payette, (then called Boomerang) and was one of the prominent aggressors in building up the town of Payette and surrounding territory. Characteristic of the early settlers he was always kind hearted, honest to a fault. His word was as good as his signature in any business transaction. He was always charitable and ready to lend willing assistance where it was needed.
In March 1891 he was united in marriage to Alda Butler at Payette where they have since made their home, moving from the city of Payette to their ranch near town about 15 years ago. Besides his wife he is survived by three sons and one daughter, Leon Banks of Seattle; Claud of Klamath Falls, Ore.; John of Payette and Mrs. Lucille Milliman of Portland all of whom were present at the funeral. He is also survived by one sister in Kansas, one brother in Iowa and one brother who’s residence is unknown. The funeral was held from the Episcopal church this (Thursday) afternoon, conducted by Rev. Thomas Ashworth and interment made in Riverside cemetery.