William Bannister, farmer, section 15, Carroll township, came to Carroll county, IA, from McHenry county, IL, in 1865, locating on the land where he now resides, which was in its primitive condition. Held the postion of section boss on the railroad for ten years. His farm contains 160 acres of good land, which is in a good state of cultivation. He has a good, well-furnished residence, with buildings for stock.

Mr. Bannister was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1815, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Davis) Bannister, the second child and the eldest son. He remained at home until sixteen years of age, and was then employed on the railroad for several years, working three years at boiler-making. He was married in 1840 to Miss Priscilla Parker. In 1856, the familly came to America, first settling in Gilvert, Kane county, IL, where they lived for six months, then removed to Cook county, IL, where they lived about seven years, before moving to Carroll county.

Mr. and Mrs. Bannister were the parents of nineteen children, five of whom were living in 1911: Sophia, Frances, Frederick, Addie and Rosie.