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.
