BIOGRAPHY: Thomas E. Banker; Goshen, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

***********************************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm

http://www.usgwarchives.org/ny/nyfiles.htm
***********************************************************************

Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

THOMAS E. BANKER, of Goshen, is the son of Abram and Emily L. (Sherwood)
Banker, who were of German and English descent, respectively. Abram Banker was
the son of John Banker, an agriculturist, who followed his occupation in the
locality of Goshen. His father was one of the early settlers of Long Island.
Our subject's father was a carpenter by trade, and also followed the pursuit
of agriculture on a farm near the village of Goshen. His birth occurred
November 1, 1806, and almost his entire life was spent in the above-mentioned
occupations. He died November 13, 1848, at the age of forty-two years.

Mrs. Abram Banker was a native of this state, her birth occurring in Chester,
May 2, 1815. Her father, Joseph S. Sherwood, was a farmer, and married Miss
Hannah Cheney. Mrs. Sherwood's cousin, Miss Mary Cheney, was the wife of
Horace Greeley, and Mrs. Sherwood often spoke of him and her acquaintance with
him. Her death occurred February 9, 1884, at the age of sixty-seven years. For
further particulars of this family we would refer the reader to the sketch of
Benjamin C. Sherwood, found elsewhere in this volume.

In the parental family were ten children, of whom nine grew to years of
maturity. Of these seven still survive, three sons and four daughters. Ellen,
the eldest of this family, died in infancy; Agnes died in Goshen, in 1876;
Hannah, Mrs. George I. Wood, is a resident of this city, as is also Frank, the
next in order of birth; Louise, Mrs. George W. Weed, makes her home in
Connecticut; Thomas F. is the subject of this sketch; Joseph S. is a farmer,
living near this city ; Laura, Mrs. Wyatt Carr, resides in Middletown; and
Mary lives in Goshen Township. After the death of her first husband, Mrs.
Banker was again married, this time being united with James Banker, the
brother of her first husband. By this union she had one son, Edward, who is
deceased.

Our subject was born May 31, 1842, and the earlier years of his life were
spent on the home farm, and in attending the public schools. He began life for
himself at a very early age, being employed at farming in this county for
several years. In the year 1869 he obtained a position as clerk in the general
store of Reeves & Kelsey, remaining with them until 1881, at which time he
entered the employ of the Erie Railroad Company, with which he has since been
identified. He is brakeman on a milk train running to Jersey City, and has
been on the same train ever since the beginning of his service. He has been
very fortunate and has never had a serious accident.

August 16, 1876, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Eunice J. Case,
who was born in this city, July 6, 1855. She was a daughter of David Case,
Jr., who was a farmer in this locality. She died February 6, 1887, leaving one
child, Grace C., who also passed away, at the age of eleven years. She was an
active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a noble woman. Mr. Banker
is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is Steward of that
congregation. In politics he is a Republican.