farmer and stock raiser, section 4.

Among the earliest pioneers of Holt County may be mentioned the subject of this sketch. His parents, Thomas and Catharine Banks, were both natives of the Isle of Man. William was born at that place on the 21st of October, 1811. He was reared on a farm and received a common school education. When seventenn years old he went to Liverpool, England, and bound himself out for three years' service on the high seas, for the sum of 7 pounds per year, he to furnish his own clothing. He made a voyage to Mobile, Alabama, thence to St. Andrews, thence to Jamaica and the West Indies, and back to Liverpool. While there he ran away from his captain and went aboard another vessel bound for Baltimore, and thence to New Orleans. He then commenced steamboating, which he continued for ten years. He made three trips up to the headquarters of the American Fur Company, at Fort Union, and has had two narrow escapes from being blown up on steamboats; at one time, when an explosion took place, some forty persons died from the effects of the steam. In the fall of 1841 Mr. B started from St. Louis with a stock of general merchandise, landing on the Missouri side of the river opposite Iowa Point, on the 9th of August. Having sold the goods, he started a ferry and woodyard, and also improved a farm. He moved to the farm he now occupies in 1855, and has engaged in agriculturap pursuits since. He owns some 1,280 acres acres of land in Holt County, though he commenced life at the bottom of the ladder. He is of a jovial disposition and hospitable in his manners.

History of Holt and Atchison Counties, 1882, pg. 361, Litho Printers & Bindery, Cassville, Missouri 65625