Grayson and Banning family histories
In the mid-1800s, during the hey-days of the lumber industry in Wisconsin, Jasmine and Parker Banning were the first settlers along the southwestern edge of a fifteen-thousand acre lake. Parker had helped lay track that would transport lumber from his mill to Saint Paul or Chicago. The Jaspar Banning Mill remained in the Banning family’s hands for four generations. When Alvin Banning retired, since his only child, Elizabeth, has no desire to run it, the company is sold with the Bannings retaining a minor financial interest and it continues to prosper under its new leadership. The town, Jaspar, has also grown and thrived.
The northwestern edge of Lake Jaspar, belonged to another early arrival, Hans Grayson. He and his wife, Edwina started with one hundred twenty acres and gradually added to it until they owned an entire section of some of the most fertile soil in the state of Wisconsin. Hans and Parker became and remained good friends until Hans’ death. At that time, the farm passed to Hans’ only son, Jon, who had met and married Cecilia, the daughter of a well-to-do family from Chicago where he was attending college. Hans’ lowly cabin was hardly good enough for her and they spent thousands of dollars building a three-story house designed after a plantation mansion she had seen on a trip to Louisiana with her father years before. Jon could refuse his bride nothing and they were soon heavily in debt. The death of her father and the distribution of his wealth between her and her siblings saved them from bankruptcy for a short time. However, upon Jon’s death at 48, they were again broke. Cecelia and their two sons sold the farm, the house, everything they had to a young couple named Shepard. And still it was not enough to cover their debts. The sons found work at the Banning Mill and the Grayson name fell further into disrepute. Only the Mansion remained as a tribute, derisive as it may have become, to the family.
The middle son of Richard and Shirley Grayson, great great grandson of Jon and Cecilia, is the first since Jon to attend and finish college. Even as a child, Emery is large for his age…6’4″ by 9th grade, solidly built and tipping the scales around 225 pounds. At a dance shortly after high school graduation, he notices a young woman across the hall from where he and friends stand. She is, he thinks, the most beautiful creature he’s ever laid eyes on: tall, willowy with dancing sky blue eyes; golden hair. Only one of his friends recognizes her. “She’s way out of your league, Grayson. That’s Elizabeth Banning! You know, your old man works for hers.” But it is too late. She has already noticed him and, against her father’s wishes, they elope in Reno the following year. After college and he has begun his psychiatric internship at Jaspar General Hospital, Elizabeth gives birth to fraternal sons, Kevin and Jerome.
The boys couldn’t be more different. Physically, Kevin is built like his father, though an inch or so shorter; however, except for the straight patrician nose that comes directly from the Grayson genes, he has his mother’s facial features – her sky blue eyes; her blond hair that earns him the nickname Sandy. Though he has her outgoing, easy temperament, he has his father’s mannerisms: the way he stands; the way he clasps his hands behind his back when upset.
Jerome, on the other hand, has his father’s green eyes and dark hair, but his mother’s tall willowy build at 6’6″, 200 pounds. Emery often comments that he, while growing up, had been very much like this quiet, wary son. They have all ignored the resentment which grows in Jerome toward his brother. A brother who could do anything he set his mind to. A brother larger than life. A brother who, suddenly in high school, has friends other than Jerome. Especially that Jimmy Bauer who moved to Jaspar during their freshman year. Only Jimmy acknowledges Jerome’s distrust of him.
