Robert Bruce Banes Sr. grew up in White County, Indiana and later relocated near St. Joseph, Missouri. At an early age he decided to go into Show Business and, for a time, he was a violinist and clown with the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Not entirely happy with the circus and longed for a show all his own. He bought a Magic Lantern (early slide projector) which used kerosene to illuminate the slides. He presented and lectured all over the surrounding states. He used a horse and light spring wagon to haul his equipment. He always had a full house whenever he would show these slides. He recalled seeing President Abraham Lincoln giving a speech from the back of a wagon during his travels. After he married Elizabeth "Bessie" Golay, who was a gifted painter in her own right, he stopped traveling and became a successful farmer. He also had his own blacksmith shop, a mill and several head of cattle. They had six children: Robert Bruce Jr., Ethel, Maymie Venice, Golda May, Carl Monroe and Lyda Ogle. Though never schooled, he was an accomplished musician. His daughter recalls that he could play the violin all day and never play the same song twice. His children consider him a good father and he was a Superintendent at his church.
Robert Bruce Banes Sr. grew up in White County, Indiana and later relocated near St. Joseph, Missouri. At an early age he decided to go into Show Business and, for a time, he was a violinist and clown with the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Not entirely happy with the circus and longed for a show all his own. He bought a Magic Lantern (early slide projector) which used kerosene to illuminate the slides. He presented and lectured all over the surrounding states. He used a horse and light spring wagon to haul his equipment. He always had a full house whenever he would show these slides. He recalled seeing President Abraham Lincoln giving a speech from the back of a wagon during his travels. After he married Elizabeth "Bessie" Golay, who was a gifted painter in her own right, he stopped traveling and became a successful farmer. He also had his own blacksmith shop, a mill and several head of cattle. They had six children: Robert Bruce Jr., Ethel, Maymie Venice, Golda May, Carl Monroe and Lyda Ogle. Though never schooled, he was an accomplished musician. His daughter recalls that he could play the violin all day and never play the same song twice. His children consider him a good father and he was a Superintendent at his church.
Gravesite Details
Biography provided courtesy of Robyn Epstein.
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