Heinrich Banman (often written as H. Banman) was born in Alexanderwohl, South Russia, on April 19, 1843. His father was Franz B. Banman, born February 9, 1814(?). His mother, Elizabeth Dalke, was born November 1, 1807. Both were born in the Molotschna Mennonite settlement in Russia.

At the age of 14 H. Banman was sent to train for three years to become a teacher. He married Helena Buller in 1863, while teaching at the village school in Hamberg, Russia.

In 1874, the Banmans joined the Mennonite immigration to America. Arriving in Newton, Kansas, they resided there for a short time before their permanent dwelling in Marion County was built. Banman converted a room in his home into a schoolroom and taught for three years. He secured his citizenship papers in order to organize a school district.

Banman was active in Mennonite conferences, the Home Mission Board, and the Committee of Itinerant Ministers. He was a founder of Bethesda Hospital, editor of the Bethesda Herald (both in Goessel, Kansas), a founder of Bethel College in Newton, Kansas, and helped to rebuild the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church in Goessel, Kansas. In time, Heinrich Banman became the principle leader/elder of the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church. He and Helena were the parents to nine children, with five of them surviving to adult age. He died at the age of 89 on March 21, 1933.

(Information from his biography and obituary in his papers.)