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Below is a family biography included in The History of Switzerland County, Indiana published by Weakley, Harraman & Co. in 1885.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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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 ninety-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.

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This family biography is one of 215 biographies included in The History of Switzerland County, Indiana published in 1885 by Weakley, Harraman & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Switzerland County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Switzerland County, Indiana family biographies here: Switzerland County, Indiana Biographies

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