He was born in August 1845, to Abraham Bancker and Elizabeth Grubb, in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. [sources: date: 10; 2 (17 in 1861), 3 (17 in 1861), 8 (24 in 1870), 10 (54 in 1900), 12 (50 in 1911), 13 (5 in 1850). place: 2, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13. parents: 12, 13]
In 1850, he was living in ward 1, Southwark, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with Abraham and Elizabeth Banker (presumably his parents), and with various others (presumably siblings). He had attended school within the year. [source: 13]
When he enlisted, he was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was a cigar maker. [sources: 2, 3]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 0 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, black eyes, and black hair. [sources: 2, 3]
He also served in company E of the 18th Pennsylvania Infantry. He served from 24 April 1861 to 24 July 1861 (for three months). [sources: 6, 7, 11, 13]
His father, Abraham Banker, also served in the 91st. [source: 13]
He enlisted and was mustered in on 11 October 1861. He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Keyser. He was mustered in as a musician in company C. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 30, 31]
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. [source: 5]
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer, on 26 December 1863, at Bealton, Virginia. He was mustered into service on 26 December 1863. [sources: 1, 3, 11 (24 Dec)]
He was absent, sick, when the regiment mustered out. He was a musician, in company C. [sources: 1, 3, 11 (discharged 10 July 1865), 30, 31]
He married Hannah Gilmore. She was born in 1845/46, in Pennsylvania. They had three known children:
[sources: 8, 9, 18, 19, 24, 29]
Starting (probably) in fall 1869, the city directories list him as a musician, living at 1916 Pemberton, with his brother John H and mother Elizabeth. [source: 23]
However, according to the census, in 1870, he was living on Paul Street, probably at either 604, 606, or 608 Paul, in ward 2, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a cigarmaker. He was living with his wife Hannah and child Caroline. [source: 8]
The last city directory listing him is the 1874 directory, according to which he was still living at 1916 Pemberton, with his brother John and mother Elizabeth. [source: 23]
On 15 March 1884, he applied successfully from Ohio for a pension. [sources: 6, 11, 28]
About 1887/88, Hannah apparently remarried, to George Kopp. [source: 20 (citing Elizabeth Bancker's pension application)]
In 1888, his daughter Caroline married Oliver Reynolds; the license was issued in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 27]
In 1890, he was living at 1003 Bridge Street, Altoona, Pennsylvania. [source: 7]
He also served in company I of the 71st New York Infantry, during the Spanish-American war. He enlisted on 9 May 1898, and was discharged on 15 November 1898. [sources: 6, 11, 20, 21, 28]
In 1900, he was living in Jersey Shore Borough, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He claimed to be a widower. He was a cigarmaker. [source: 10]
In 1900, his first wife was living at 702 West 9th Street, ward 5, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware. She was living with her husband George Kopp, her daughter Caroline Reynolds, and Caroline's daughter Elizabeth M. [source: 26]
On 16 April or May 1907, his first wife died. She was then Mrs Hannah Kopp. She lived at 708 West 9th Street, Wilmington, Delaware. She died of uterine cancer. [sources: 20, 25]
On 14 August 1907, he applied for a pension under the act of 6 February 1907. His application was accepted, with the certificate dated 28 January 1908, and he received $12 per month effective 14 August 1907. [sources: 11, 22, 28]
On 10 October 1911, he married Elizabeth Kraus, in Hartford, Connecticut. She was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1864/65, and immigrated to the US about 1875/78. She had been married to Harry Moore (born November 1859, in Connecticut; died between 1900 and 1910). He was living in Springfield, and was a cigar maker. [sources: 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20 (citing Elizabet's pension claim)]
On 5 October 1912, a new pension certificate was issued, under the act of 11 May 1912. He received $19 per month, retroactive to 20 May 1912. [source: 22]
On 19 November 1915, his pension was increased to $25 per month, retroactive to 12 August 1915. [source: 22]
Effective 12 August 1920, his pension was increased to $30 per month. [source: 22]
Effective 10 June 1918, his pension was increased to $40 per month. [source: 22]
He died on 3 April 1919, at Springfield, Massachusetts. According to family lore, Meriners was a nice fellow, and he and Elizabeth were very happy. [sources: 11, 20, 22]
In 1920, his widow, Elizabeth A Bancker, was living at 84 Gresham Street, ward 8, Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts. She was living with her sons Harry and Arthur Moore, and Harry's family. [source: 14]
On 10 September 1923, his widow, Elizabeth Bankers, applied successfully from Massachusetts for a pension. She initially was pensioned at $20 per month under the act of 1 September 1922, on a certificate dated 23 November 1925. Her pension was increased to $30 per month, effective 4 June 1926, under the act of 1 May 1926. [sources: 6, 11, 21, 28]
On 23 November 1925, an order was made that his widow, Elizabeth Bancker, receive his accrued pension. Her address was (apparently) 84 Gresham Street, Springfield, Massachusetts. [source: 22]
In 1930, his widow, Elizabeth Banckar, was living at 84 Gresham Avenue, ward 8, Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts. She was living with her son Arthur Moore. [source: 15]
On 22 December 1930, Elizabeth Bancker died. Her death was reported to the Pension Bureau on 19 January 1931. [source: 21]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster) (Meriners Baucker)
2 company C, descriptive roll, number 16 (Meriners Bancker)
3 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 Jul 2004 (Meriners Baucker; rols have 'Bancker')
4 company C, untitled list, probably of status at muster out, entry 14 (Meriners Bancker [the 'n' is clear])
5 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Meriners Baucker)
6 pension index, by name (Meriners Bancker)
7 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Blair County, Altoona, supervisor's district 7, enumeration district 33, page 1 (M Edward Bancker)
8 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County, ward 2 (post office 510 Washington Avenue), microfilm series M593, film 1388, page 216 = 120 handwritten [uncertain id] (M Bancker)
9 [deleted]
10 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Lycoming County, Jersey Shore Borough, ward 1, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 49, microfilm series T623, film 1437, page 174 = 17 A handwritten [uncertain id] (Meriners Bancker)
11 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company C (Meriners Bancker)
12 Marriages registered in the City of Springfield for the year nineteen hundred and eleven, page 216 = 54 handwritten (Meriners Bancker)
13 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Southwark, ward 1, microfilm series M432, film 821, page 34 recto = [67] handwritten (Marienus Banker)
14 1920 US census, Massachusetts, Hampden County, Springfield, ward 8, precinct F, supervisor's district 2, enumeration district 176, microfilm series T625, film 704, page 242 = 1 A handwritten (Elizabeth A Bancker)
15 1930 US census, Massachusetts, Hampden County, Springfield, ward 8, supervisor's district 3, enumeration district 7-90, microfilm series T626, film 911, page 132 = 32 B handwritten (Elizabeth Banckar)
16 1910 US census [not transcribed], Massachusetts, Hampden, Springfield, ward 3, microfilm series T624, film 591, page 243 = 1 A handwritten (FamilySearch) (Elizabeth Moore)
17 1900 US census [not transcribed], Massachusetts, Hampden, Springfield, ward 3, enumeration district 577, microfilm series T623, film 652, page 255 = 6 A handwritten (Elizabeth Moore)
18 marriage record, Springfield, Massachusetts, 22 September 1902 (William Bancker)
19 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 20 August 1867 (William Banker)
20 e-mail, Leslie Rounds, 22-24 May 2013
21 Veterans administration, pension payments cards, 1907-1933 (Elizabeth Bancker widow of Meriners Bancker)
22 Veterans administration, pension payment cards, 1907-1933 (Meriners Bancker)
23 selected Philadelphia city directories
24 death certificate, Delaware, 1855-1961, 23 June 1956 (Caroline B Schoolmaster, daughter of Marinus Bancker and Hannah Gilmore)
25 death records, Delaware, 1811-1933, 1907, page 140 (Hannah Kopp)
26 1900 US census, Delaware, New Castle, Wilmington, ward 5, enumeration district 18, microfilm series T623, film 154, page 225 handwritten = sheet 3 B handwritten (Hannah Kopp)
27 [not transcribed] Philadelphia Pennsylvania marriage indices, 1885-1951 (FamilySearch and FamilySearch) (Oliver J Reynolds and Caroline Bancker)
28 pension index by unit, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, microfilm series T289 (Meriners Bancker)
29 [not transcribed] Philadelphia birth register, 1865, page 79 (FamilySearch) (Merinis Banker)
30 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Meriners Bancker)
31 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Meriners Banker)
| line | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| Dwellings visited | 348 | ||||||||||||
| Families visited | 572 | ||||||||||||
| Name | Abraham V. Banker | Elizabeth " | William " | Mary " | John " | Maryann " | Lueza " | Hiram " | Josiah " | Varianlt [?] " | Mary " | Marienus [sic] " | William " |
| Age | 48 | 45 | 22 | 25 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Sex | M | F | M | F | M | F | F | M | M | M | F | F | M |
| Color | |||||||||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Tailor | Tobacconist | Segar Maker | Musician | |||||||||
| Real estate owned | |||||||||||||
| Birthplace | N. Jersey | Pennsylvania | " | " | " | N. York | Pennsylvania | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Attended school within year | |||||||||||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| Dwelling-house number | [863] | ||
| Family number | 944 | ||
| Name | Bancker M | - Hannah | - Caroline |
| Age | 24 | 24 | 5 |
| Sex | M | F | F |
| Color | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Segar maker | Keep house | - |
| Real estate value | |||
| Personal estate value | |||
| Birthplace | Penn | Penn | Penn |
| Father foreign born | 1 [?] | ||
| Mother foreign born | |||
| Birth month if born within year | |||
| Marriage month if married within year | |||
| Attended school past year | |||
| Can't read | |||
| Can't write | |||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | |||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | ||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 43 |
| street | |
| house number | |
| dwelling number | 346 |
| family number | 350 |
| name | Bancker Meriners |
| relationship | Boarder |
| color | W |
| sex | M |
| birth date | Aug 1845 |
| age | 54 |
| married? | Wdr |
| # years married | |
| mother of how many children? | |
| # of children living | |
| birthplace | Penn |
| father's birthplace | Maryland |
| mother's birthplace | Penn |
| immigration year | |
| # years in USA | |
| naturalized citizen? | |
| occupation | Cigar maker |
| # months not employed | 0 |
| # months in school | |
| can read | yes |
| can write | yes |
| speaks English | yes |
| owned/rented | |
| free or mortgaged | |
| farm/house | |
| # of farm schedule |
| line | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 |
| street | West 9th Street | |||
| house number | 702 | |||
| dwelling number | 56 | |||
| family number | 57 | |||
| name | Kopp George | - Hannah | Reynolds [?], Caroline | - Elizabeth M |
| relationship | H | Wife | Step Daughter | G. Step Daughter |
| color | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | F | F |
| birth date | Oct 1860 | March 1846 | March 1865 | Feb 1888 |
| age | 39 | 54 | 35 | 12 |
| married? | M | M | M | S |
| # years married | 12 | 24 | 12 | |
| ['12' is written above '24' in a lighter hand] | ||||
| mother of how many children? | 2 | 1 | ||
| # of children living | 2 | 1 | ||
| birthplace | Delaware | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Germany | Ireland | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Germany | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| immigration year | ||||
| # years in USA | ||||
| naturalized citizen? | ||||
| occupation | Agent for S.P.A [??] | |||
| # months not employed | 0 | |||
| # months in school | 9 | |||
| can read | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| speaks English | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| owned/rented | R | |||
| free or mortgaged | ||||
| farm/house | H | |||
| # of farm schedule | ||||
| line | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| street | Gresham Street | ||||
| house number | 84 | ||||
| dwelling visit number | 4 | ||||
| family visit number | 4 | ||||
| name | Bancker Elizabeth A | Moore Harry | - Harry Jr | - Elizabeth | - Arthur W |
| relationship | Head | Son of Head | Son of Moore | Daughter | Son of Head |
| own/rent | O | ||||
| free/mortgaged (if owned) | F | ||||
| sex | F | M | M | F | M |
| race | W | W | W | W | W |
| age at last birthday | 55 | 34 | 14 | 13 | 32 |
| marital status | Wd | M | S | S | S |
| year of immigration | 1896 [?] | ||||
| naturalized/alien | Na | ||||
| year of naturalization | |||||
| attended school since Sept 1919 | Yes | Yes | |||
| can read | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| birth place | Berlin Ger | Massachusetts | Massachusetts | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| native language | German | ||||
| father's birthplace | Berlin Ger | Connecticut | Massachusetts | Massachusetts | Connecticut |
| father's native language | German | ||||
| mother's birthplace | Berlin Ger | Berlin | Massachusetts | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| mother's native language | German | German | |||
| can speak English | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| occupation | None | Chauffer | None | None | Electrician |
| industry, business | Water Dept | ||||
| employment status | W | ||||
| number of farm schedule | |||||
| line | 78 | 79 |
| street | Gresham Ave | |
| house number | 84 | |
| dwelling visit # | 434 | |
| family visit # | 440 | |
| name | Banckar Elizabeth | Moore Arthur |
| relation | Head | Son |
| owned/rented | O | |
| value or rent | $2500 | |
| radio | R | |
| farm | No | |
| sex | F | M |
| color | W | W |
| age | 65 | 42 |
| married? | WD | S |
| age 1st marriage | ||
| school/college since 9/29 | No | No |
| can read & write | Yes | Yes |
| birthplace | Germany (Berlin [?]) | Massachusetts |
| father's birthplace | Germany (Berlin [?]) | Connecticut |
| mother's birthplace | Germany (Berlin) | Germany (Berlin) |
| native language | German | |
| immigration year | 1878 | |
| naturalization | Na | |
| can speak English | Yes | Yes |
| occupation | None | Stock Man |
| industry | Plumming [sic[] | |
| worker class | W | |
| at work yesterday | No | |
| unemployment schedule # | 46 | |
| veteran? | ||
| war | ||
| farm schedule # | ||
| No. | 963 | |
| DATE AND PLACE OF MARRIAGE. | Oct. 10, 1911 Hartford Ct. | |
| FULL NAMES OF GROOM AND BRIDE. | Meriners Bancker | Elizabeth (Kraus) |
| AGE of Each in Years. | 50 | 47 |
| What Marriage, 1st, 2d, 3d, &c., and if widowed or divorced. | First | Second W |
| RESIDENCE OF EACH AT TIME OF MARRIAGE. | Springfield | Springfield |
| OCCUPATION OF EACH. | Cigar maker | Cigar maker |
| PLACE OF BIRTH OF EACH. | Harrisburg, Pa | Germany |
| First Name of Father. | Abraham | Ferdinand |
| Maiden Name of Mother. | Elizabeth Grubb | Emelie Crebs |
| NAME, RESIDENCE AND OFFICIAL STATION OF PERSON BY WHOM MARRIED. | Edward L. Steele Justice of the Peace Hartford, Ct | |
| DATE OF RECORD. | Nov. 16 | |
| No. | 458 | |
| DATE AND PLACE OF MARRIAGE. | Sept. 22, 1902 | Springfield |
| FULL NAMES OF GROOM AND BRIDE. | William Bancker | Louise Perry |
| AGE. | 28 | 21 |
| What Marriage .... | First | First |
| RESIDENCE OF EACH AT TIME OF MARRIAGE. | 623 Main St Springfield | 402 Watley [?] St Springfield |
| OCCUPATION OF EACH. | Cigar Maker | At Home |
| PLACE OF BIRTH OF EACH. | Philadelphia Pa | Ft Carrington NY |
| NAMES OF PARENTS OF EACH. Full Name of Father. | Meriners Bancker | Amos Perry |
| Maiden Name of Mother. | Hannah Gilmore | Almira Labell |
| NAME, RESIDENCE AND OFFICIAL STATION OF PERSON BY WHOM MARRIED. | L G Gaguier | Priest Springfield |
| DATE OF RECORD. | Oct 7 | |
| CLASS. | RATE. | DATE OF COMMENCEMENT. | DATE OF CERTIFICATE. | |
| REISSUE | 12 | Aug. 14/07 | Jan. 28/08 | |
| [the first three columns of the preceding line are crossed out] | ||||
| " [sc. REISSUE] | 19 | May 20 1912 | Oct 5 1912 | |
| [the 2nd and 3rd columns of the preceding line are crossed out] | ||||
| INCREASE | 25 | Aug. 12 - 1915 | Nov. 19 - 1915 | |
| 30 | Aug 12 - 1920 | W | ||
| [the 4th column of the preceding two lines is linked to both by a brace] | ||||
| 40 | JUN 10 1918 | [blank] | ||
| ISSUES | MINORS, $[blank] PER MONTH ADDITIONAL. | |||||
| CLASS | RATE | DATE OF COMMENCEMENT | DATE OF CERTIFICATE | NAME | COMMENCEMENT | ENDING |
| Orig | 20 | Sept. 10, 1923 | Nov. 23, 1925 | |||
| Inc. | 30 | June 4, 1926 | ||||
| Died Dec. 22, 1930. | ||||||
| Reported JAN 19 1931 | ||||||
| DEAD NAME OF SOLDIER | Bancker, Meriners | ||||
| SERVICE | Late rank | Co. I, | 71" Reg't N.Y. Inf | ||
| TERM OF SERVICE | Enlisted May 9, 1898 | Discharged Nov. 15, 1898 | |||
| DATE OF FILING | CLASS | APPLICATION NO | LAW | CERTIFICATE NO. | |
| 1907 Aug 14 1884 Mch 15 | Invalid | 508,333 | AGl O J | 995.370 | |
| 1923 Sep 10 | Widow | 1 209 724 | 5-1-22 | 967708 | |
| Minor | |||||
| ADDITIONAL SERVICES | E. 18" Pa. Inf (R.) | ||||
| C. 91" Pa. Inf (R.) | |||||
| WAR WITH SPAIN | |||||
| REMARKS | |||||
| Died Apr 3, 1919 | at Springfield Mass | ||||
[identification is likely, since (1) his occupation matches the occupation listed in the company descriptive roll (entry 2 above)]
[his brother John H Banker is at 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 26, page 436 verso = 14 handwritten (FamilySearch); that he was living at 1916 Pemberton, as the city directory suggests, is likely, since the next household is headed by John Danford salesman, who is probably the John Danforth laborer h 1935 Pemberton on page 417 of the 1871 Gopsill's directory]
[the evidence summarized next makes clear this M Bancker was on Paul street, probably either 604, 606, or 608 Paul]