DAVID BANNING 
pages 198-199

ON the death of the late David Banning the city of Cincinnati lost one of its strong and influential men of affairs, a truly representative citizen, who, through a long lapse of years, was prominent in the various circles in which he moved and whose potent influence for good will long continue to pervade the lives of those with whom he associated. As the day with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity and accomplishment, its evening of completed and successful efforts, ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of this good and honored man. His career was a long, busy and useful one, and his memory will long be revered by those who had occasion to come in contact with him on life's highway. His activities in a material way added to his individual prosperity and to the welfare of the city of his choice. Yet he never allowed the pursuit of wealth to warp his kindly nature, but preserved his faculties and the warmth of his heart for the broadening and helpful influence of human life, being to the end a kindly, genial friend and gentleman whom it was a pleasure to meet.
David Banning was a native of the Western Reserve, having been. born at Vernon, Ohio, on April 11, 1819. His father was Ashel Banning, and his paternal grandfather was one of the first settlers in the Western Reserve. The name Banning is of mixed derivation, the first syllable indicating Danish origin, while the affix "ing" is distinctly Anglo-Saxon. It is said that "blood tells," and if this be true then the forebears of the subject of this memoir must have been men of sturdy character and fine qualities, for in David Banning were exemplified to a marked degree those qualities which always command the respect and confidence of men. Ashel Banning was the father of seven children; namely, David, subject of this sketch; Jerry W., deceased; Timothy, deceased; Mary A., deceased, who was the wife of Benjamin Peabody; Converse, deceased; Stoddard, of Geneva, Ohio; Malinda, deceased, who was the wife of Newton Robbins.
David Banning spent the early years of his life on the home farm, in the operation of which he assisted as soon as large enough. His education was obtained in the neighborhood district schools, supplementing this during the after years by much reading and habits of close observation. His first employment was as a clerk in a general store owned by Stoddard Stevens, and later he was engaged in government work. In 1847, Mr. Banning came to Cincinnati, Ohio, that being prior to the advent of railroads in this section of the State. Here he formed a partnership with his brother Jerry in the commission business, their Store being located on Walnut Street, between Front and Second streets. Subsequently the brothers dissolved their business relations and each ran a store on his own account. David Banning was engaged in the commission business here for over twenty-five years, being highly successful in all of his affairs, and when, in 1880, he decided to retire from active business life, he was in possession of a comfortable fortune.
Mr. Banning was interested in a number of enterprises in Cincinnati, in all of which his ripe experience and mature judgment were invaluable and his counsel was always held in high esteem by his business associates. -On the organization of the Fourth National Bank of Cincinnati, he was elected a member of the board of directors and for the long period of thirty-two years he continued to serve in that capacity.
Mr. Banning lived to witness much of the growth and development of Cincinnati and at all times was interested in its welfare and co-operated in all measures and movements for the general good. He was a man of absolute honesty, and his rise in the world was at the expense of no one. Thus he was universally recognized as one of Cincinnati's most useful and enterprising men of affairs, of which city he had been an active and influential citizen for more than fifty years. David Banning's death occurred on March 8, 1901, his passing away being considered a distinct loss to the community which he had so long honored by his citizenship.
On April 28, 1847, in Erie, Pennsylvania, David Banning was united in marriage with Asenath C. Bradley, a daughter of the noted Dr. M. Bird Bradley, of Waterford. Immediately after their marriage the young couple came to Cincinnati, their honeymoon trip being made by canal from Erie to Beaver, Pennsyl- vania, and from there by river to Cincinnati. Mrs. Banning's death occurred on November 13, 1909. To Mr. and Mrs. Banning were born the following children: Charles, deceased; Blanche, deceased; Kate, who still resides in this city; Starr, Harry, and William, the two last named being twins, are deceased. These children were all born in Covington, Kentucky, where the family home was established and maintained until about 1888.
Politically, David Banning was an ardent supporter of the Republican party, but he never sought public preferment of any kind, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests and his home. He was a man of strong domestic tastes and no place or company afforded him as true pleasure as his home and family. Quiet and unassuming, he was nevertheless a genial companion and interesting conversationalist, being a popular member of the various circles in which he moved. The greatness of a man's life lives after he is gone and is shown by the impression left upon those with whom he came in contact or have felt his influence. All who met Mr. Banning, in his home, his office or elsewhere, felt the power of his strong personality, the unfailing strength of his well-balanced nature, and the absolute candor with which he treated every one with whom he dealt.

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