(Wilson's Creek National Battlefield)
Born in Ohio, Alexander R. Banks was 19 years old when he emigrated to take a claim in Douglas County, Kansas Territory in 1855. Banks later sold his claim and operated a sawmill for a time. After studying law, Banks was admitted to the bar in 1859. Banks decided against practicing law and went into trading with Indians. During Price’s Raid, Major Banks was ordered into active service on October 8, 1864 and served as an aide de camp to Maj. Gen. George W. Deitzler. In 1862, Banks served as secretary for the Kansas State Senate. In 1863, Banks was appointed provost marshal for the State of Kansas with a rank of captain. Banks had the misfortune of staying in Lawrence, Kansas, on the day of Quantrill’s Raid in August 1863, during which he was captured but released unharmed. Banks survived the raid but was forced to give up his brand-new uniform to guerrilla George Todd. In 1864, Banks served as chief clerk of the Kansas House of Representatives. After the war, Banks again served as secretary for the Kansas State Senate in 1867 and chief clerk of the House in 1872–74. Banks was 72 years old when he applied for a federal pension in 1907 based on his six-month’s service in 1863 as provost-marshal in Kansas. His request for a pension was denied because “his only service therein having been rendered as a provost-marshal, and therefore in the civil branch of the service.”