Ray Banks was born January 25, 1919 at Maxey, Colorado. He was the
     son of Arthur and Gladys (Ammann) Banks. At the age of 6 he started to
     Kansas with his family in a covered wagon. A week and one day later they
     arrived at the Banks home northeast of Isabel. He lived here for a year
     and attended his first grade at Social Plains School.
          In March of 1926 he moved 2 1/2 miles east of Isabel to the Riggs
     place. In 1927 the family bought a farm 2 miles east and 1/2 mile north
     of Isabel. He graduated from the Isabel High School and helped his dad
     and other farmers in the area until he went into the military service
     in 1942.
          He served for 20 months in England, France, Belgium, Germany,
     Holland, Luxemburg and Czechoslovakia with the Armored Engineers. After
     he was discharged he went into partnership and farmed with his father.
          He married Eleanor (Thom) on September 26, 1948 at Isabel. Eleanor
     is the daughter of Hugo and Stella (Moomau) Thom. She was born at Peck,
     Kansas and at the age of 1 moved by team and wagon to her Grandfather 
     Thom's farm 4 miles south of Isabel. She lived here for 15 years and
     attended Eldred School. In 1937 her family bought the Riggart farm 3
     miles south, 1 mile east and 1/4 mile north of Isabel where she attended
     8th grade and graduated from the Isabel High School.
          Ray and Eleanor settled on the Phipp's place about 7 miles south of
     Isabel, and farmed until retirement.
          Two sons, Roger and Galen both graduated from the Isabel High
     School. roger and his wife Linda and their children Kenny, Karen and
     Kevin live in Harper, Kansas. Galen and his wife Carolyn and their
     children, Chad, Kyle and Gala live at Pratt, Kansas.
          Ray belonged to the Masonic Lodge and served on the Board of Directors
     at the Isabel Co-op for several years. Eleanor belongs to the Lutheran
     Church at Nashville, Kansas and to neighborhood clubs.
          Ray passed away January 8, 1987 and was laid to rest in the Isabel
     Cemetery.
             
     Source: Isabel, Kansas - The First 100 Years, 1887 - 1987,  pg. 39
     
     Submitted by: Eleanor Banks