Edward Prince Banks (1811 - 1892)

"He was born at Pejepscot, later called Danville and now (1892) a part of the present city of Auburn, Maine, 22 November 1811, the fourth son of Dr. Elias and Lucretia (Prince) Banks.

He came to Portland in January 1826 and was apprenticed to Henry S. Pearson (1789-1878) to learn the watchmaker's and mathematical instrument trade.  He made such good progress that Mr. Pearson gave him the rest of his time in 1832.

He has an advertisement in the 1834 Portland Directory stating that he is a nautical and mathematical instrument maker.

From 1837 to 1857, Mr. Banks was in partnership with Wm. H. H. Hatch as jewelers in Portland.

From 1857 to 1870 he was in business for himself.  He died 17 September 1892 at the United States Marine Hospital in Somerville, where his son, Dr. Charles E. Banks, was a physician."

Reference:  Smart, Charles E.   The Makers Of Surveying Instruments In America Since 1700  Troy, New York:  Regal Art Press.  1962