Fordyce Bannister, born November 8, 1800, in Windsor, Mass., is a son of Versal and Hannah (Packard) Bannister, of Windsor and Goshen, Mass., respectively. His parents came to Genesee County in 1816, with two yoke of oxen and one horse and wagon. Their family consisted of one son and three daughters. He erected a log house (2ox36) on lot 156. A roof was put on one end. Fire was built in the center on the ground, and the cabin had neither door nor window. He lived here until his death. He arrived at his new home March 12th with only $1.37 in money. Being in want of bread for his family he went to Mr. McPherson, who had considerable wheat, and arranged to cut one acre of heavy timber, piling brush and cutting rails, and for seven days' work received in pay one and a half bushels of wheat, which he carried on his back to Stanley's mill and returned home with flour. Mr. Bannister reared one son and four daughters. He was a plain, practical man, and died in 1852, aged 87; his wife died in May, 1851, aged 54. He was a son of Christopher Bannister, of Massachusetts. Fordyce Bannister married Charlotte; daughter of Alvah and Hannah (Case) Utley. They had children as follows: Gaston D., of Dakota; Ellen M.; Cora (Mrs. Wright), of Michigan (deceased) who left two children, Versal B. and Harry M.; Evans, of Dakota; Mary; and Jasper, of Dakota. Fordyce Bannister died in 1883, and his wife in 1852.

FROM: Gazetteer and Biographical Record of Genesee County, New York, Edited by: F. W. Beers, J.W. Vose & Co., Publishers, Syracuse, N. Y. 1890