Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 324
JAMES VANATTA, deceased, was one of the settlers of Muscatine County of 1846, and was numbered among her prominent citizens. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1811, and was a son of James and Elizabeth ( Hull ) Vanatta, who were also natives of Pennsylvania, but of German descent. His father was a farmer, and he was reared to farm life, remaining under the parental roof until attaining his majority, when he engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself in Pennsylvania. At the age of twenty-six years he was united in marriage with Miss Katy M. Brobeck, who was born Dec. 21, 1817, and was a daughter of Philip and Margaret ( Baker ) Brobeck. Her parents had a family of nine children as follows : Harrison, who is now living in Rochester, Pa.; Henry, now deceased; Philip P., whose home is in Pittsburgh, Pa.; David, now living in Beaver County,Pa.; Joseph, whose whereabouts are unknown; Elihu,whose location is in Savanna, Ill.; Matilda, wife of William Vanatta, a resident of Muscatine, Iowa; Charlotte, wife of George Young, and Katy, Mrs, Vanatta.

Selling his farm in Pennsylvania, and accompanied by his family, Mr. Vanatta emigrated to Muscatine County, Iowa, arriving on the 31st day of March, 1846. The Territory had not then been admitted to the Union, the cabins on its prairies were many miles apart, and the whole country was in an uncultivated condition. He remained in the county for about a year before purchasing land, and then bought 100 acres, and moving upon this farm began its cultivation, for it was then almost entirely unbroken, only ten acres having been put under the plow, and the only improvement on the place was a little log cabin. As time passed many great changes were wrought, improvements were made,and fields cultivated, until the farm became one of the best in the township.

Mr. and Mrs. Vanatta were the parents of eleven children, two of whom died in infancy, and one at the age of eiight years. Those living are : Philip, who was born Feb. 21, 1837, and is now engaged in farming in Missouri; Mary, wife of Daniel Dorr, was born Dec. 11, 1830, and now resides in Kansas; John, born Aug. 30, 1840, is a resident farmer of Missouri; William, born Jan.3, 1846, is engaged in farming in the State of Kansas; James, born Aug. 19, 1848, is also a resident of Kansas; Isophine, born Nov. 6, 1851, is the wife of John Holston, a master mechanic on the Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad; Joseph B., born May 23, 1853, is engaged in farming on the old homestead, his sketch is given elsewhere; Anis I., born Nov. 14, 1855, is the wife of William Smalley, who resides near Muscatine. The death of Mr. Vanatta, the father of these children, occurred Sept. 30, 1886. Religiously he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and politically, was a Republican. Reserved and quiet, he yet thought deeply on every subject, and always made his decision on the side of right. A strong supporter of temperance principles, he did all in his power to advance the cause, and to every enterprise for the public good he gave his earnest support. His death proved a sad loss for the entire community, and was mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

---

Back to 1889 History of Muscatine Co. Index Page

Back to the Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb Index Page