Karen Shares Research on Waveland’s Banta Family

The Banta family came from Craig Twp (Henry died there 21 Jan 1867) Switzerland County Indiana. He was ordained in 1830 and was a Baptist Minister for nigh on 40 years. Also, he was in the War of 1812 and married Eleanor VanArsdall who was a few days shy of her 93rd birthday at her death.

They were parents of 12 children (6 boys; 6 girls). Their son, Isaac Vauter born 24 Feb 1809 in Henry County, Kentucky also passed in Switzerland County IN 19 Sept 1863 – he and his wife, Elizabeth Roberts married in 1831 in Switz and they had 8 sons and 5 daughters. The next generation Merit Hannah Banta (b 7 Oct 1835 Switzerland Co and since Electa Peterman, his wife was in the 1870 census alone with their children, I am guessing (145th Infantry) Merit passed during the CW.

It was their son, Thomas born 10 June 1860, farmed in the Linden-New Richmond area and married Florence Baxter (d at 88 in Waynetown Nursing Home – buried Maple Ridge Cemetery just outside of Waveland. Their four sons (George; Basil; Theron; Perry) and descendants mainly remained in our area. Theron was born in New Richmond 12 Feb 1891 and died 6 Feb 1972 in Danville, IL. What I remember most about Theron is that he was versatile. He was a watchmaker and banker. He began and later ran Banta’s Watch Shop in Waveland.

They lived next door to my grandparents and were always so kind and good to them. A member of the United Methodist Church in Waveland, he taught the Men’s Bible Class for years and was Master of the Waveland Lodge 300 F&AM, past patron of Waveland OES; and member of the Scottish Rite. He was a life member of the Indiana Watchmakers Association and an honorary life member of the Waveland Alumni Association. In May 1914, he married Delia Marcrum. He had a good education for the time After graduating from New Richmond HS and Indiana State Normal (ISU) he was a star at Zaner College of Penmanship at Columbus, Ohio.

His daughter, Virginia (married Wilmer Sharpe) worked in the Waveland Library for many years. I’d only go to the library if she was working that day. Theron also taught school (Kirkpatrick, Linden and Waveland) was a banker for 25 years and what I thought the neatest thing about him was for 50 years, he hand engraved over 4,000 Wabash College (and other school’s?) diplomas. Theron’s son, Myron, worked with him for many years at the watch shop that is not there at this point (it was such a neat building one of the few covered in stone if I remember right) then moved it to the front area of he and Myrtle’s home at 501 West Main (one of the oldest homes still standing in Waveland, the home built around a log cabin).

The shop was there for several years. Although I always thought Myron was a neat name I loved his middle name Jules. MJ was born at 9 p.m. on Oct 11, 1918 with Dr. JM Elliott of Linden attending. Theron was 27 at the time and wife “Etta” age 30. The same was true for Myron and his wife, Myrtle Lavanche Pope – in fact, she taught him in school. They had one daughter, Judy, one of the sweetest, kindest gals I’ve ever known. Now, there were several who weren’t cracked-up about Myrtle, but I loved her. She was our business teacher at Waveland HS and I took all 5 of the classes she taught and Aced (most with an A+++) all but Bookkeeping – got a B+. Darn!

When Mrs. Robinson our school secretary was out a semester my senior year (because of a surprise necessary operation), Myrtle suggested to Mr. Cooper, our principal that I would be great in the office. She helped me a few days then I was on my own. Every morning, I went to get my lessons and came down to work on them – WHEN I had time, that is. It was a tough but very rewarding semester (learned so much and that experience and Myrtle’s high praise got me my first real job as a secretary at Purdue) and I had Myrtle to thank for that.

When she passed away (stomach cancer) in Lafayette, 12 March 1969 she asked for them to find me (we were living in Laf while Jim was in school) and have me come to the hospital. I hugged her and told her how much she had meant to me and ironically, that’s why she wanted me to come so she could do the same – “Best student ever! Hard worker” and she told me she loved me. We cried and hugged and I told her the same!

My hometown of Waveland was so blessed to have each and all of the Banta family in its midst!

For years, Karen Zach was the editor of Montgomery Memories, our monthly magazine all about Montgomery County. Her column, Around the County, appeared every Friday in The Paper of Montgomery County. Karen retired from all that a few years ago but sent us this gem to share with you. You can reach her at karen.zach@sbcglobal.net.