Military officer; born in
Waltham, Mass., Jan. 30, 1816.
His early education was obtained at a common school.
He became a lawyer and Democratic orator; edited a newspaper in
Waltham and
Lowell; and during the administration of
President Polk held office in the
Boston Custom-house.
In 1849 he was a member of the Massachusetts legislature, and speaker of the
Lower House in 1851-52.
He was president of the
State Constitutional Convention in 1853, and a member of Congress in 1853-57, separating from the Democratic party on the question of slavery; and, after a long contest, was elected speaker of the House of Representatives
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279]
in 1855.
Mr. Banks was chosen governor of
Massachusetts in 1858, and served until 1861.
When the
Civil War broke out he
was president of the Illinois Central Railroad.
Offering his services to
President Lincoln, he was made a major-general of volunteers May 16, 1861, and appointed to command the
Annapolis military district.
General Banks was an active and skilful leader in various battles during the war in
Virginia and in the region of the
lower Mississippi and Red rivers.
In 1865-73, 1875-77, and 1889-91 he was a Representative in Congress, and subsequently he was United States marshal.
He died in
Waltham, Sept. 1, 1894.
