Biographies
from
The History of Otsego County, New York
1740-1878
D. Hamilton Hurd
Published by Everts & Fariss, Philadelphia
BANKS, Levi B - South Edmeston
Levi B. BANKS, son of Joseph and Abigail OAKLEY BANKS,
was born March 6, 1824. His father was a native of Redding,
Fairfield Co., Conn., and his mother of Easton, Fairfield Co., Conn.
His parents came to Otsego County, and settled two miles south of
South Edmeston, in 1810, where they continued to reside on a farm
till Mr. Banks' death, which occurred May 7, 1868. Mrs. Banks died
till Mr. Banks' death, which occurred May 7, 1868. Mrs. Banks died
Aug,. 13, 1868. The reared five children - Summers O., Peter O.,
Jeremiah A., Levi B., and Eliza E. Peter O. and Levi B. are the
only ones now living. Levi B. was reared on the farm with his
father till he was eighteen years of age, when he commenced to
work out by the month on the farm, getting $120 for the first year's
service and out of this he laid up $110. He worked for ten consecutive
years by the month, and during this time he laid up some $1000, and
then returned to his father's home, and in company with his father
carried on the home farm, and continued till March 8, 1864, when he
removed to his present farm, which at first contained 272 1/2 acres,
and to this he has kept adding until at present he owns some 425
acres of as good land as you will find in any part of Otsego County.
It all borders on the Unadilla river, and is situated from a mile to two
miles south of South Edmeston. He has three good farm-houses on
his farm. A fine view of his present residence, and portraits of
himself and wife, may be seen in another part of this work. He
married Miss Polly L. LOTTRIDGE, a daughter of Bennitt and
Phebe LOTTRIDGE, of Columbus, Chenango Co., N. Y., Sept. 8,
1863. Mrs. Polly Banks was born Dec. 24, 1837, in Columbus. Her
father was a native of Columbus also, but her paternal grandfather
was a native of Albany, N. Y., and was one of the early pioneers of
Columbus. Her mother was a native of Rhode Island. They had
six children, of whom Mrs. Banks is the oldest. By the matrimonial
alliance of Mr. and Mrs. Banks four children have been born, namely
Charles I., born Jan. 22, 1865; Nellie E., born March 12, 1867; Lee B.,
born Jan. 26, 1872; and Josie Bell, born Aug. 27, 1875. Mr. Banks
is a Republican in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Banks are worthy members
of St. Andrew's Episcopal church, at New Berlin. It will be seen by
the above sketch that Mr. Banks began life by working out by the
month, and that by close application to his business, combined with
good judgment, he stands to-day in the front rank as one of the
largest and best farmers in the town.--
Excerpt from History of Otsego Co., NY, page 149