Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
Aimon J. Dant
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana
Logansport, Ind.: A.W. Bowen, 1898
Aimon J. Dant, proprietor of the Washington Bottling works and city councilman of Washington, Ind., one of the most progressive citizens of the place and a prominent member of St. Simon's church, was born in Barr township, Daviess county, Ind., August 12, 1855, son of Edward and Eliza J. (Grider) Dant. The father was born in Maryland, in 1811, son of William Dant, a native of Germany, and was reared to manhood on the paternal farm. In 1835 he located in Barr township, Daviess county, Ind., entering 160 acres of land, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred in April, 1884. In 1837 he was married, in Vincennes, Ind., to Eliza J. Grider, who was born in Knox county, Ind., a daughter of James Grider, of German extraction. To this union "the baker's dozen" of children were born, of whom eight survive, viz: Mary; Barbara, wife of J. H. Kidwell; Edward W., a farmer; Amanda E.; Aimon J., our subject; Catherine, now Sister Mary Paulette, of Loretto Convent, Colo.; Jennie, wife of Frank Dixon; and Julia A., wife of J. L. Carrico. This family was reared in the Catholic faith, as members of St. Peter's parish, at Montgomery, and the father was a prominent Democrat in that locality. Aimon J. Dant was reared to manhood on the farm, and being given all the advantages of the public schools, graduated from the city high school in the spring of 1876. After completing his schooling, he remained on the farm for a year, and then went to Mattoon, Ill., where for four years he was engaged as bookkeeper in the shops of the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville R. R. Upon the election of his brother-in-law, J. H. Kidwell, to the office of county recorder, our subject was tendered the position of deputy recorder, which he held until 1887, when he resigned to accept a position with R. S. Beeson & Son, hardware dealers, with whom he remained until 1892, when he purchased the Washington Bottling works of F. W. Teiman, and in this business has since been engaged very successfully. The Washington Bottling works do quite an extensive business in the manufacture of temperance, or soft drinks, and the bottling of mineral waters, and Mr. Dant's practical business methods, and pleasant manner of treating his patrons, are adding daily to the success and importance of this well known local industry. On January 8, 1881, at Olney, Ill., Mr. Dant was united in marriage to Miss Cora I. Ensor, who was born in Richland county, Ill., in April, 1863, and died in November, 1883, leaving one child, Mabel, who did not long survive her. Mr. Dant was next married, in Washington, October 7, 1886, to Miss Mary Billings, who was born in Daviess county, December 8, 1860, daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Miller) Billings, natives of Illinois, of German-Irish descent. Two children are the fruits of this union, Aimon J., Jr., and Leo Gaddis. This is an influential family in St. Simon's parish and is highly regarded in the community.
Mr. Dant owns a pleasant residence property at the corner of Third and Maple Streets, the bottling plant being on the opposite corner. He is a Democrat and takes an active and personal interest in local politics. In 1889 he was elected to the city council from the Second Ward, and was afterward twice returned to the council from the same. He is a charter member of the Industrial Building and Loan Association, and a prominent member of the Young Mens Institute.
Contributed by: John D. McMullen