The Iowa Legislature > Legislators > Legislator Print Icon Print

Representative Andrew Bankson View All Years

This photograph is provided for official informational purposes only. The image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, or otherwise used without prior written authorization from the Iowa General Assembly. Requests for permission to use this image must be submitted to the Chief Clerk of the House for House members or the Secretary of the Senate for Senate members.
Compiled Historical Information
Date of Death: 6/13/1851
Birth Place: North Carolina
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Assemblies Served:
House: LA1 (1838)
Home County: Dubuque
Andrew Bankson
Dubuque County
Born April 14, 1787, in North Carolina. He was a native of North Carolina, from which State he accompanied his parents to the then Territory of Illinois. At an early age, he enlisted in a company of rangers as a private. While in this service, he rose to the rank of Captain, and at the close of the war of 1812, he returned to civil life. He was chosen a member of the Convention that framed the first Constitution for the State of Illinois, and after the organization of the State government, he served as a member of one or the other branches of the Legislature during the greater portion of the time that he continued to reside in the State. On 1 May 1808, Andrew married Elizabeth "Betsey" Moore in St. Clair County, Illinois. Elizabeth was born about 1787 in Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She died 22 March 1857. Mr. Bankson was active in the political affairs in both Illinois and Iowa and served as a representative to the state legislatures of both states. As a result of his military service in Illinois, Andrew gained the rank of Colonel and was awarded a land grant in Iowa. He moved to Iowa in about 1836 and founded the town of Bankston Prairie, Iowa. Bankston Prairie is located west of Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa. In 1836, Col. Bankson removed to Dubuque County, then Wisconsin. In 1838 he was chosen a member of the Territorial Legislature which assembled at Burlington. He was subsequently elected to the office of County Commissioner of Dubuque County. Col. Bankson was a member of the Methodist E. Church. He died 13 June 1851, near Highland, Wisconsin while visiting with a child living there.
Sources:
Text above from Iowa Official Register/Other
All Biographies
House District 8
Committees
LA1 GA (1838)
Legislation Sponsored
LA1 GA (1838)