Tag: Alexandria VA

Olander Banks – ‘A Blueprint of Success’

From Left to right: Cardell Banks, Olander Banks Jr., Olander Banks Sr., and Ronald Banks (picture taken between 2002 – 2003)

Behind the scene of the Alexandria Gazette’s story on Olander Banks dated October 11, 2018.

Dena Banks, the grandchild of Olander Banks Sr., and she is the daughter of Olander Banks Jr., assisted me in telling the story of her grandfather.

Additional information that was not in the article about Olander Banks and his wife, Margaret Lomax-Banks.

Olander came to Alexandria with his parents when he was five years old. When he was eight years old, his family was living at 934 North Columbus Street in Alexandria. Olander’s parents, siblings and grandparents were all living in the same household in 1930. His parents were Algie and Annetta. Olander’s siblings in 1930 were Algie, Jr., Marshall, Roscoe and Bertram Emanuel. Olander’s grandparents were Fannie and Isaac Banks. His entire family migrated from Danville, Virginia to Alexandria in 1927 except Bertram Emanuel and all the other children who were born after Emanuel were born in Alexandria, Virginia.

Olander married Margaret Lomax after 1940. Margaret was living in the household of her parents, Abraham and Ella Lomax, at 831 North Patrick Street.

You can read the rest of Olander Banks’ story in the Alexandria Gazette Newspaper dated October 11, 2018 on page 8 at http://connectionarchives.com/PDF/2018/101018/Alexandria.pdf.

Char McCargo Bah on the “Tyra G Show” Frankly Speaking

Back in the Spring, I did a radio interview on the “Tyra G – Frankly Speaking Show” on “Women of Wonder.” Tyra upload the interview to YouTube. You can check out the 51 minutes interview at https://youtu.be/xrEeq7hKPDo.

Richard W. Bentley – 19th and 20th Century Businessman

Behind the scenes of the article on Richard W. Bentley

Inez Howard-Dishman and son, Howard F. Dishman

Mr. Howard Frederick Dishman, Sr., was the only child of Howard Armstead Dishman and Inez Howard. Mr. Dishman’s father, Howard Armstead Dishman, was born in Stafford, Virginia. He migrated first to Washington, D.C., then to Alexandria, Virginia. Howard’s grandfather, Armstead Dishman, was a large property owner in Brooke’s section of Stafford, Virginia.

Howard’s mother, Inez’s parents were Fredrick Howard and Cora Bentley. Inez inherited property from her father’s siblings, James Howard and his sister, Sarah Howard who never married. They left their property to their niece, Inez. The property was 620 and 622 North Alfred Street. Inez passed three pieces of property to her son, Howard F. Dishman. Two pieces of properties from her father’s brothers and one parcel of property from her mother’s father.

Inez’s mother, Cora Bentley-Howard Bank, inherited property from her father at 315 North Patrick Street. Cora’s father was Richard W. Bentley. Cora passed her property to her daughter, Inez. Cora had several siblings, one of them was Lewis (Louis) Bentley. Lewis inherited property from his father, Richard Bentley. He inherited the property at 313 North Patrick Street. His property was given to his daughter, Dorothea C. Bentley-Campbell.

The article stated that Howard Dishman inherited properties from his grandfather, Richard Bentley. The information was somewhat correct; but, he inherited the property through his mother by way of his grandfather. This property was at 315 North Patrick Street and the other properties were from his grandfather’s siblings located at 620 and 622 North Alfred Street.

Mrs. Dorothea Bentley-Campbell is the granddaughter to Richard and Sarah Bentley. Mrs. Dorothea and her two sisters, Teresa and Frankie are the last living grandchildren of Richard and Sarah Bentley. Mr. Howard Dishman, Mr. Lynnwood Campbell and his siblings are the great-grandchildren of Richard and Sarah Bentley.

You can read the Alexandria’s article on Richard W. Bentley – 19th and 20th Century Businessman on pages 11 and 21 at http://connectionarchives.com/PDF/2018/082918/Alexandria.pdf.

Remembering Parker-Gray School from 1920 – 1965

Behind the scene of the article on Parker-Gray School.

Parker-Gray School
1920 – 1965

Parker-Gray School was established in 1920 in Alexandria, Virginia. The first building was located at 901 Wythe Street where the present day Charles Houston Recreation Center is located. The school had grades 1 through 8. By 1930s, high school classes were added going up to grade 11. The first graduating class was in 1936. In September 1950, Parker-Gray High School moved into their new building at 1207 Madison Street. The last graduating high school class was in 1965. In 1975, the Parker-Gray Alumni Association started to celebrate Parker-Gray School’s history and to award scholarships to descendants of Parker-Gray School.

An article in the Alexandria Gazette Packet dated August 2, 2018, on page 11 gives more details of Parker-Gray School’s humble beginnings. You can read the article at
http://connectionarchives.com/PDF/2018/080118/Alexandria.pdf. If you want to attend this year Parker-Gray School’s Alumni Banquet weekend scheduled for August 17 – 19, 2018, please send an e-mail to me with your contact information; I will pass the information to the coordinator of the Parker-Gray Alumni Association.