HON. RICHARD G. BANKS,
Born at Hampton, Virginia, on September 3, 1840, is a son of Dr. R.
G. Banks, who was born in Essex county, Virginia, and who died in
1870, aged sixty-eight years. His mother, who died in 1845, was,
before marriage, Matilda Dewees, of Baltimore, Maryland. His wife,
whom he married in Goochland county, Virginia, on January 15, 1863,
was Nannie M. Argyle of that county.
Mr. Banks attended the schools of his native town, then took a course
at the Columbian College, and after that taught school one year in
Alabama. He entered the Confederate States Army in 1861, as captain
and quartermaster of the 50th Virginia Infantry, serving in
Floyd's brigade until that general was suspended, after the fall of Fort
Donelson. He was then commissioned major, on the staff of General
Loring, and detached as depot quartermaster at Selma, Alabama, so
serving until near the close of the war. After returning home he
engaged in merchandizing and farming until, in 1879, he was appointed
United States Inspector of Customs at Norfolk, in which capacity he
served ably until 1883. In 1883 he was elected to the Virginia legislature,
but unseated. In February, 1884, he was again elected to the
legislature, and served out the term. He was then made superintendent
of the public schools of Norfolk, serving until the election of Governor
Lee. In 1887 he was elected mayor of the city of Norfolk, an office he is
still (1888) filling.
