Rev. Henry D. Banta was born in Henry County, Ky., in 1785, and was a son of Daniel and Anna Banta, the latter probably born in Kentucky, both of German descent. Our subject married Eleanor Van Osdol, and after six children had been born to them (viz: Anna, Rachel, Daniel, Isaac, Jacob, and Jane), removed to and settled in Pleasant Township, this county, in 1816. In that township he lived eight years, after which he removed to Craig Township, where he lived till his death, January 21, 1867. Mrs. Banta died April 22, 1879, at the age of nearly ninty-three years. Mr. Banta labored in the ministry of the Baptist Church forty years. He was ordained in 1830. He served in the war of 1812-15. He was the father of thirteen children, viz: Anna, Rachel, Daniel, Isaac, Jacob, Mary, Jane, Abraham, Mary, John, Henry, Ellen, Nancy.
Source: History of Switzerland County, Indiana 1885. Chicago, Illinois: Weakley, Harraman & Co., 1885
Transcribed by: Sheila Kell