Owosso Mourns

Tinder the above heading the last Owosso Times has an extended account of the death and funeral of Mr. Banister, who was a native of this city, where he was reared and educated, and where his death is deeply regretted, a portion of which is as folio ws; "The saddest e vent of years to the people of Owosso was the sudden death on Sunday evening, at his home on Ma son Street, of Frank II. Banister, whc had been sufiering since July 4 from ai attack of fevej, which flnally affectec the braiu and caused his death. The announcement came Monday Bïorning as a blow to every one who knew him and on all sides was heard, "It seems impossible, I cannot realize that lie is dead." Mr. Banister was 4-5 years o age. "An active, honorable, public spiritec 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, au active Christian worker, prominent in all the avenues of life which promote good citizenship, make useful members of society and tend to its nplifting - and Owosso mourns the loss. "Mr. Banister came from Arm Arbor to Owosso a young man, as clerk in the dry goods store of C. L. Goodhue, the old brown store on the corner now occupied by the Thomas block. Trom there he went to Detroit and held a fine situation in the dry goods establishment of Newcomb & 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 a partner in the grocery business of C. C. Duif. This connection lasted until January, 188C, when Mr. Banister opened a grocery trade for himself in the AVesener block. His prosperous business outgrew his quarters and in May, 1892, he purchased the store, 109 N. Washington street. the same he formerly occupied in company with Mr. Lawrence. Here he carried ou a large business until cut short by death, in the prime of life and in an active business career. His fair, honorable dealing and friendly, genial ways made him universally popular a1id brought him an extensive trade from all parts of the county and sarrounding country. "Mr. Banister was a zealous member f the Congregational church in this city, of which he was both a trustee and clerk. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias order, holding the office of Master of Exchequer in the subordínate lodge and was iïrst lieutenant in the Uniform Rank división. He was also a member of the Odd Fellows and Maccabee orders. "June 23, 1885, Mr. Banister was marned to Miss Cephise Greenman, who is now left alone in her widowhood. The sympathies of the comniunity is with her. Mr. Banister's biithplace vas Ann Arbor, where his parants and one sister reside. His other sister reides at Lake Odessa. Two brothers are druggists in Saginaw. His father is ying very ill of typhoid fever at Ann Arbor. "The funeral serevices were held yeserday afternoon and were a most fitting ;estimonial of the love and respect of he citizens of Owosso for the deceased, nd their sympathy for the wife, relaives and intímate frieuds. Owosso Lodge Ho. 81, Knights of Pythias and he Uniform División, in both of which ,he deceased was an oflicer and a most nthusiastic and helpful worker, conlucted the services. Owosso and Colax Lodges I. O. O. F., Wilson Tent K. O. T. M. and the Business Men's Asociation also attended in bodies. At he borne, corner of Park and Mason treets, the friends assembled and the organizations in sintjlc file marched hrough the house to view the remains. t was a soleinn body of men viewing, old in death, the body of him who so hort a time before had been so active nd cheérful a friend among them. "The floral tributes were by far the most beautiful ever seen in this city, i cluding the triangle of the Knights oi Pythias; a broken column with a dove on the top, l'roin tlio trustees of the church; a pillow with tlie emblematic link from the Odd Fellows; ;i broken wheel frora tlie brothers and sisters; and a nuuiber of others. "Duriiig the procession the stores on Washington street were all closed, and the Estey factory was simt down. The funeral was most largely attended of any ever held in the city, and showed the respect of the people for the man who lived a noble and upright life, honest in business, kind and obliging socially, and ever ready to leud a helping hand in time ofneed."