Elias Banta

Elias L. Banta

ELIAS L. BANTA. Born in DeWitt county, Illinois, May 16, 1847, the son of Rice and Eliza (Ware) Banta. Elias L. Banta is now a prominent farmer residing six miles northeast of Hatton. His father, who was of German ancestry, was born in Kentucky and the mother in Virginia. They were married in Illinois, where they lived until removing to Missouri in 1855. In 1883 the father died, whereupon the mother removed to Iowa, and in that state died in 1893. They were the parents of nine children, Elias, William R., Permelia, Franklin P., Daniel and Cornelia, twins, Sarah A., Mary F. and Charles W.

Mr. Banta received a common schooling in Dewitt county, Illinois, and at the age of twenty-two he started in life on an independent basis by working on a farm. When thirty-six he entered the railroad machine shops at Stansbury, Missouri, where he remained until 1899, when he came to Washington and located in Adams county. He now owns a quarter-section of choice wheat land, all fenced and under cultivation. He has a good house and one of the finest appearing homes in his vicinity.

Mr. Banta was married in 1883 to Laura Wilson, daughter of R. B. and A. E. (Hughes) Wilson, natives of Illinois, and parents of twelve children. To Mr. and Mrs. Banta have been born four children, three of whom are living: Robert L., now in the United States army and stationed at Fort Wright; Joseph C., and Lulu I.

Mr. Banta is a Republican, and takes an active interest in the political affairs of his county. He has held the office of road supervisor with satisfaction to all.

Mrs. Banta is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1875 Mr. Banta enlisted in the United States army from Sacramento, California, and served five years, during the greater portion of which time he was engaged in fighting Indians in Oregon and Idaho.

Souce: "An Illustrated History of the Big Bend Country; Embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin Counties; State of Washington". Spokane, Western Historical Publishing Company, Publishers, 1904. p. 826.