The Great Depression and The Aftermath

During the nation’s economic depression, Clarence Banks left his wife in pursuit of better opportunities in Detroit, Michigan.

The couple’s eldest child, Ruth Banks fell ill shortly before Clarence’s departure and passed away at the age of 15 years old. Clarence, convinced that his wife could not care for her children alone, sent two of his children to accompany him in Detroit. His daughter, Clara, and son, Robert, Sr. were left to live with their extended family.

Clara contracted tuberculosis while living in the confined living space. Clarence did not contact his wife about the death for several months and refused to disclose her burial location. Sophia shared the devastating news with a prominent family in Danville, Illinois. The wife of the prominent family empathized with Sophia and paid for an investigator to locate additional information, but the attempts were unsuccessful.