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Banker family papers

 Collection
Call Number: RH MS 1351

Overview

This collection includes event programs, letters, news clippings, and photographs related to the Banker family. Materials are organized by family member; most of the materials are from either Theodora "Ted" Banker or her nephew Louis H. Banker.

Dates

  • Creation: 1897 - 1973

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

Biography of Louis H. Banker (1920-1993)

Louis Henthorn Banker was born on October 23, 1920 in Russell, Kansas to Louis Waldo ("Wog") and Bernice (Henthorn) Banker. He had one brother, Dean Chase Banker (1925-2012). After graduating from Russell High School, Louis H. received a bachelors in speech and a masters in speech and debate from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Banker's teaching career began at Great Bend, Kansas. He mostly taught in Missouri, including at Platt City High School from 1956-1960, West Plains High School from 1960-1962, and Fort Osage High School as a speech and debate teacher from 1962-1981. Louis Banker retired on May 17, 1981, after teaching for over 20 years.

Over the course of his teaching career, he received a number of awards and acknowledgements. These included a Distinguished Service to Education Award from Central Missouri State University in 1972; National Forensic League's double diamond award; the coach of Missouri State champion debaters from 1970-1971; being named Outstanding Teacher of 1972 by the Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri; and being named Missouri State Teacher of the Year 1973-1974 by the State Department of Education.

Banker served in the South Pacific Theater with the U.S. Navy during World War II. He also served as a director of the family business, L. Banker Mercantile Co., in Russell. Louis H. Banker died on January 20, 1993 in Salina, KS.

[Information taken from accession file and findagrave.com.]

Biography of Theodora "Ted" Banker (1905 - 2003)

Theodora “Ted” Banker was born to Louis and Anna Banker in Russell, Kansas. She had three siblings: Louis Waldo “Wog” Banker, Dean Culbertson Banker, and Frances "Franc" (Banker) Baker. She graduated from Russell High School in 1923 before attending KU that same year.

Banker joined the Chi Omega Sorority in 1923 and participated in KU’s women’s rifle team before graduating in 1927. She began work at L. Banker Mercantile in 1928, retiring as a store manager in 1994.

Along with her work, Banker was an active member in the First Congregational Church in Russell. She helped establish the Russell Chapter of the American Association of University Women in 1943 and was a member of the Junior Cosmos Club.

Ted Banker died on December 21, 2003.

[Information from Theodora Banker's findagrave.com obituary.]

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (4 boxes + 2 oversize folders)

Language of Materials

English

Physical Location

RH MS 1351

Physical Location

RH MS 1586

Physical Location

RH MS R373

Physical Location

RH MS-P 1351, RH MS-P 1351(f)

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, ZoAnne Maryfield, 2015.

Subject

Title
Guide to the Banker Family Collection
Subtitle
Banker family papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by imf, 2014. Finding aid encoded by imf, 2014. Finding aid revised by mmj, 2023.
Date
2014-11-26
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in English
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/3959044401
Preferred citation
Banker family papers, RH MS 1351, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334