The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-07-19
OW OSSO MOURNS.
FRANK H. BANISTER SUDDENLY
CALLED TO HIS LAST REST.
A Noble Hearted, Upright and Homes,
Citizen--A Successful Business
Career.

CltiZen--A Successful Business
Career.
The saddest event of years to the peo-
pie of Owosso was the sudden death on
Sunday evening, at his home on Mason
street, of Frank III. Banister, who had
been suffering since July from an attack
of fever, which finally affected the brain
and caused his death. The announce.
ment came Monday morning as blow
to every one who knew him, and on all
sides were heard, "It seems impossible,
l cannot realize that he is dead" Mr..
Banister was As years of age.
An active, honorable, public spirited
man has been taken from the business
interests of the city-a man OF integrity
of character, unblemished moral and
social habits, a genial friend and popular
citizen, an active Christian worker,
prominent in all the avenues of life
which promote good citizenship, make
useful members of society and tend to its
uplifting-and Owosso mourns the loss.
Mr.. Banister came from Ann Arbor to
Owosso young man, as clerk in the dry
goods store of G. l.. Goodhue, the old
brown store on the corner now occupied
by the Thomas block. From there he
went to Detroit and held fine situation
in the dry goods establishment of New
comb & Endicott. In March, 1879, he
returned to Owosso and entered into the
grocery business in company with Chas.
Lawrence. March, 1884, the partnership
was dissolved, and Mr.. Banister became
partner in the grocery business of c. c..
| Duff. This connection lasted until Janu-
ary, 1856, when Mr.. Banister opened a
grocery trade for himself in the Wesener
block. His prosperous business outgrew
his quarters and in May, 1892, he pur-
chased the store, 100 n, Washington
street, the same he formerly occupied in
company with Mr.. Lawrence. Here he
carried on large business until cut short
by death, in the prime of life and in an
active business career. His fair, honora-
BILE dealing and friendly, genial ways made
him universally popular and brought him
an extensive trade from all parts of the
county and surrounding country.
Mr.. Banister was jealous member of
the Congregational church in this city, of
which he was both trustee and clerk.
He was a member of the Knights of
Pythias order, holding the Office OF Mas
ter of Exchequerin the subordinate lodge
and was first lieutenant in the Uniform
Rank division. He was also a member
of the Odd Fellows and Maccabee orders.
June 90, 1885, Mr. Banister was mar
ried to Miss Cephise Greenman, who is
now left alone. in her widowhood. The
sympathies of the community are with
her. Mr.. Banister's birthplace was Ann
Arbor, where his parents and one sister
reside. His other sister resides at Lake
Odessa. Two brothers are druggists in
Saginaw. His father is lying very i'll with
typhoid fever at Ann Arbor.
The funeral services were held yester-
day afternoon and were a most fitting
testimonial of the love and respect of the
citizens of Owosso for the deceased and
their sympathy for the wife, relatives
and intimate friends. Owosso Lodge No
81, Knights of Pythias and the Uniform
Division, in both of which the deceased
was an officer and most enthusiastic
and helpful worker, conducted the ser.
vices, Capt. A. j. Van Epps being in
charge of the line. AT the request of the
family Owosso and Colfax Lodges /. o. o
F., Wilson Tent X. o. T. NJ and the Bus
mess Mems Association also attended in
bodies. AT the home, corner of Park
and Mason streets, the friends assembled
and the organizations in single file march
ed through the house to view the re-
mains. 1t was a solemn body of mer
viewing cold in death, the body of hin
who so short time before had been sc
active and cheerful friend among them
The X. of p. branches formed in oper
order from the front door to the hearse
and after short and earnest prayer by
Rev. j. G. Cromer, the body, preceded
Morris Osburn, f. III. Gould, A. M. Bent
10 i hot
Dewey, j. W. Zimmerman and w.
Hunt, trustees and officers of the Congre
gational church, was brought through
the lines of uncovered Knights by tn,
pail bearers, knights /. G. Curry, w. Z
Bullard, w. E. Hall. j. H Robbins, S. S
G. Phippen and Geo. w. Haskell. Th,
attending bodies formed in open orde
and through them silently passed th,
carriages containing the relatives anC
friends to the congregational church
which had been most beautifully trim
med by the hands Of loving friends whC
for many years have seen and known o
his work in the church and Sunda,
School Rev. Cromer offered ferven
| and helpful prayer. and Mrs. Eugen,
. Wallace, of 'orunna, sang the solo, Com,
to Me-" Mr.. Cromer, taking as text
Rev. 14:13, BLESSED are the dead which
die in the Lord" preached probably tn,
most appropriate and comforting funera
sermon ever heard in the city. He spok'
of the very unusual effect ofthe word %
the death of the deceased. "Come int
Owosso," said he, "ast Monday morning
and knowing nothing of the business
habits of the citizens, being total unac
quainted with them, in fact know not tn
language in which they spoke, and on
could not fail to realize that some sa'
event had occurred. Business must sto
and men gathering in little coteries mus
discuss and pass word upon this even
ere they could again resume their usua
occupations. 1t was blow which onl